The year 2018 holds special significance for Viet Nam – France relations, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Thiep said during a ceremony in Paris on 19 September marking the 73^rd anniversary of National Day of Viet Nam (2 September).

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

He said 73 years since President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Independence Declaration on 2 September, 1945, Viet Nam has become an active member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with a 91 million population and an average income per capita of more than 2,000 USD each year.

Viet Nam has established diplomatic ties with most UN member states and maintained economic and trade ties with nearly 230 countries and territories. This year, Viet Nam and France mark the 45^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the fifth anniversary of their strategic partnership, playing a key role in promoting relations between ASEAN and the EU.

Highlighting the importance of France visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong last March, Thiep said it had created a strong driving force for the development of bilateral ties across politics, economy, culture, education, healthcare and national defence.

Vietnamese officials also paid working trips to France, including those by Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung in April, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung in June and Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich in September with the signing of a Joint Vision Declaration on defence cooperation for 2018-2028.

Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne arrived in Ha Noi in January to chair a Viet Nam – France economic dialogue. The first Viet Nam – France dialogue on security and defence strategy recently held in Paris also opened up opportunities for collaboration.

Major Vietnamese firms such as Viettel, FPT and Viet Nam Airlines are also present in France.

On the occasion, the ambassador noted Viet Nam will join the Paris Motor Show in October for the first time, presenting VinFast automobiles manufactured by Viet Nam’s Vingroup.

Cultural and art activities are planned to celebrate the 45^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties throughout the year.

(Source: VNA/ DA NANG Today)