Jeholet noted that as Vietnam has put COVID-19 under good control, the country has welcomed a large number of tourists, 40% of whom speak French.

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Prime Minister of the French Community of Belgium Pierre-Yves Jeholet

He said that the partnership between the community and Vietnam has been growing despite COVID-19 impacts, with the community just marking its 25 years of presence in Hanoi.

Over the past 25 years, the ties have been thrived in all aspects, he said, stressing that today, more than ever, for the French Community of Belgium, Vietnam has always been a priority partner in all fields from health care, culture, society, to academic and economic cooperation as well as French language promotion because Vietnam is a member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

He said that in the middle of next month, he will make a visit to Vietnam to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in many areas, especially education and scientific research, and discuss the outcomes of bilateral cooperation over the past 25 years.

Vietnam and the French Community of Belgium set up their relations in 1993. In 1996, the Office of the Wallonia-Brussels delegation was established in Hanoi.

All 783 joint projects between the two sides have produced fruitful results, he said, adding that 805 Vietnamese students have received scholarships and 2,000 experts have been exchanged.

Bilateral partnership has concentrated on areas such as health care, environment, new technology, tertiary training, scientific research, culture and French language promotion. Wallonia-Brussels has made considerable contributions to the development of the network of family doctors in most Vietnamese localities.

Source: VNA