BANGKOK (AP) - The Boeing Co., Bank of America, Chrysler and General Electric are

gearing up to do business in Vietnam after the U.S. ends its trade embargo, the official

Vietnam News agency said.

Boeing is negotiating contracts to service two state run airlines, while the other

companies have applied to open offices. Citibank is also considering opening an office,

the report said.

The embargo was imposed in 1975 when communist North Vietnam took over the southern

half of the country. The United States eased the embargo in December 1992, allowing

American companies to open offices in Vietnam. American companies may sign contracts

with Vietnamese partners but the contracts can not take effect until the embargo

is lifted.