Speaking at the ceremony in Canada, Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada Nguyen Duc Hoa said it was the honour for him to organise such event in Ottawa for the third time.
The diplomat took the occasion to highlight significant progress in Vietnam – Canada relations across numerous fields including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, defence, education, tourism, climate change adaptation, and people-to-people exchange.
Marta Morgan, Deputy Minister at Global Affairs Canada, said trade expansion and diversification with countries like Vietnam is one of the priorities of the Canadian Government.
She stressed that apart from being a trade partner, Vietnam is also a close and important defence partner of Canada in Southeast Asia.
In 2018, Vietnam was the biggest trade partner of Canada in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). There are close to 250,000 Vietnamese expatriates living in the North America nation, along with 14,000 students studying at Canadian education institutions.
    |
 |
|
Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Hoai Duong addresses the event |
The celebration in Canada also displayed paintings and a book on late President Ho Chi Minh, photos capturing Vietnamese landscapes, and local handicraft products. Participants were also treated to traditional Vietnamese dishes like pho (noodle soup) and nem (spring rolls).
Meanwhile, the ceremony in Mexico, which featured a photo exhibition and Vietnamese cuisine, saw the presence of 300 guests, who are representatives of Mexican public agencies, diplomatic corps, and Vietnamese expats.
Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Hoai Duong briefed the participants on Vietnam’s achievements over the past three decades. The country has recorded an annual average economic growth rate of 6-7 percent and enjoyed political stability and extensive international integration, he said.
Vietnam appreciated the international community’s support and assistance during its past struggle for independence as well as current national construction and protection, Duong affirmed.
The ambassador lauded the robust development of Vietnam-Mexico diplomatic relations since the establishment 44 years ago in all fields, particularly politics, economy-trade and culture. Last year, bilateral trade reached nearly 5 billion USD.
Claudia Franco Hijuelos, head of the Mexican Foreign Ministry’s Asia-Pacific Department, said Mexico attaches importance to multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, its strategic partner in Asia-Pacific.
The official said she is confident that Vietnam, in its capacity as Chair of ASEAN next year and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, will have positive contributions to maintaining regional and world peace and security.
Source: VNA