He was already on an airplane to Hanoi just a week after being officially confirmed by the Senate as the new U.S. ambassador to Vietnam. Sleeves rolled up, he was ready for his first mission as the ambassador: to prepare for U.S. President Donald Trump’s attendance at the APEC summit in Da Nang, running from November 6 to 11, and his state visit to the Vietnamese capital from November 11 to 12. He is Daniel J. Kritenbrink, a career diplomat with varied experience in Asia. The Senate confirmed Kritenbrink as the new ambassador to Vietnam in October. He replaced Ted Osius, who still stays in Vietnam after his ambassadorship. Kritenbrink has served as an American diplomat since 1994. He was the Senior Advisor for North Korea Policy at the Department of State. A former Deputy Chief of Mission in Beijing, China, Kritenbrink has held senior leadership positions at the Department of State and served as a Senior Director at the National Security Council. “Hi my friend, please call me Dan.” That was how Kritenbrink started his exclusive interview with Tuoi Tre News on November 16 in Hanoi, his first-ever formal contact with local media in his new role. Have you ever thought that you will one day become a U.S. ambassador to Vietnam? How was your feeling when President Trump nominated you? I am so honored to be a new American ambassador to Vietnam. As a career diplomat, I always want to serve my country and welcome all opportunities to… [Read full story]
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