Besides visiting book booths on the street, the two government leaders met and talked to local readers.
    |
 |
|
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (center) and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim (left) at a store on Hanoi's book street (Photo: vietnamnet) |
While they together enjoyed Arabica and Robusta coffee – a specialty of the Central Highland province of Lam Dong, PM Pham Minh Chinh told his Malaysian counterpart about the reading culture of the Vietnamese people.
The PM said that the Party and State of Vietnam attach great importance to promoting the reading culture. The Government designated April 21 as Vietnam Book Day and launched a project on the development of reading culture in the community by 2020, with a vision to 2030.
In Vietnam today, libraries are available not only in offices, and schools but also in villages, he said.
On this occasion, he introduced and presented to PM Anwar late President Ho Chi Minh’s poem collection “Nhat ky trong tu” (Diary in Prison), the book “The World People's Affection for President Ho Chi Minh,” and the book “Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam” by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
This is the first time PM Anwar has visited Vietnam. Despite his busy schedule, the two leaders spent precious time visiting the book street, reflecting the closeness and openness between the two leaders.
|
|
 |
|
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his visiting Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim and their spouses enjoyed coffee at an outdoor reading space on Hanoi's book street. (Photo: vietnamnet) |
Earlier, on July 20, the two leaders hold talks and expressed their satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations over the past time, especially after it was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2015.
The two PMs agreed to increase the exchange of high-level delegations and meetings; strive to bring bilateral trade turnover to 18 billion USD by 2025; make good use of opportunities from regional trade agreements; expand cooperation in the fields of digital economy, circular economy, green economy, sharing economy; strengthen cooperation in defense and security, marine cooperation; promote cooperation in tourism, education, training, labor, agriculture, culture and sports; coordinate and support each other in regional and international forums and mechanisms.
PM Pham Minh Chinh thanked and proposed Malaysia continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Malaysia to live, work and study stably in the country.
PM Anwar's ongoing visit to Vietnam is of great significance as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations; contributing to making Vietnam - Malaysia relations more practical and effective.
Source: VNA