Vietnamese ambassador visits La Crosse - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - The Vietnamese ambassador to the US visited La Crosse Saturday afternoon. Ambassador Nguyen visited the University of La Crosse, where he recognized the Vietnamese Student Association.

He spoke with student leaders of the group and attended their 47th annual International Banquet. Nguyen is the first ambassador to ever attend the banquet.

The Vietnam Student Association began a partnership with the US Committee on Scientific Cooperation with Vietnam back in 2002. Since then, more than 100 Vietnamese students have attended classes on the UW-L campus.

Nguyen talked about the time he completed his high school education and compared it to the education the Vietnamese students at UW-L have been able to have. "I didn't know a single word of English. And now those people. Those young people. They muster not only language, but all things. So, really, they are not only my pride, but also the nation's pride," said Nguyen.

Ambassador Nguyen's visit is part of a trip to UW-Madison where he will attend a memorial service for Judy Ladinsky, who chaired the US Committee on Scientific Cooperation with Vietnam.