The trade mission, led by the US-ASEAN Business Council, had about 40 executives representing key US businesses including FedEx Corp., Citigroup Inc., Boeing Co., Ford Motor Co., and General Electric Co.
"I do think there is a lot of interest in Vietnam now," said Shiumei Lin, senior director for international trade policy with the US-ASEAN Business Council.
Many of the companies already have representative offices established in Vietnam for several years but are looking at expanding their presence, she said.
"To us, this seems like the second wave of interest -- companies that didn't come in 1995 but are now looking at expanding in Vietnam and going beyond their initial presence," she said.
Bilateral US-Vietnam trade has boomed since the historic trade agreement between the two countries was passed in 2001. Last year, two-way trade topped $7.5 billion.
Company representatives discussed with Vietnamese leaders the country's accession bid to the World Trade Organization and what changes in the business environment would bring in more foreign investment, Lin said.
Delegation members began their trip in the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City and then traveled to Hanoi. The group held meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.
They also met with senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, planning and investment, finance and trade.
