45th anniversary of Vietnam-UK ties celebrated in HCM City
A ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations and the 92nd birthday of Queen Elizabeth II was held on June 4 by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) in collaboration with the Vietnam-UK Friendship Association (VUFA)’s chapter in Ho Chi Minh City.
HCM City (VNA) – A ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary ofVietnam-UK diplomatic relations and the 92nd birthday of QueenElizabeth II was held on June 4 by the Vietnam Union of FriendshipOrganisations (VUFO) in collaboration with the Vietnam-UK FriendshipAssociation (VUFA)’s chapter in Ho Chi Minh City.
Chairman of the VUFA-HCM City Tran Hung Viet expressed his respect for theQueen and delivered the best wishes to her on the 92nd birthday.
Vietnam and the UK have enjoyed a fruitful relationship which has been reflectedthrough regular exchange of high-ranking delegations, sound bilateral trade,and robust cooperation between enterprises from both sides.
On the occasion, Viet thanked the UK General Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City andthe UK Business Association in Vietnam for their close cooperation and supportfor the VUFA-HCM City so that it can well perform the role of connecting peoplefrom both sides in the fields of culture and education.
The association committed further contributions to bolstering people-to-peopleexchanges between Ho Chi Minh City and the UK, helping enhance the traditionalrelationship between the two countries, he noticed.
UK Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Ian Gibbons, for his part, thanked the HoChi Minh City chapter of the VUFO for organising the event, highlighting that 2017was a successful year for Vietnam-UK bilateral ties when Vietnam welcomed manydelegations from the UK.
More UK high-ranking officials will pay visit to Vietnam in the coming time totighten the cooperative relations between the two countries, he said.
People-to-people exchange through education is one of the most significantaspects in the bilateral ties, he underscored, lauding the VUFA-HCM City’sefforts in promoting the good friendship between the two sides.
As of April 2018, Vietnam and the UK enjoyed over 2 billion USD in two-waytrade, with 1.75 billion USD of which coming from Vietnamese exports.
Last year, 285,000 British people visited Vietnam, including 116,000 arrivalsto Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, there are more than 10,000 Vietnamese studentspursuing study in the UK.-VNA
The UK Embassy in Vietnam and the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training held a seminar on the two countries’ cooperation in occupational skills education and training on Jan. 17 in Hanoi.
Tra fish exports to the UK were worth 45.7 million USD last year, an increase of 2.5 percent over the previous year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.
The Vietnamese Association in the UK elected a 25-member executive board, including one President and four Vice Presidents during its eighth Congress in London on April 8.
Director of the General Department of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Can and UK Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Lever have agreed to strengthen the Vietnam-UK customs partnership through the signing of a letter of intent on possibilities of cooperation, heading to a governmental-level deal in the field.
Vietnam enjoyed a 1.5 billion USD trade surplus with the UK for the first four months of 2018 as the country exported 1.75 billion USD worth of goods to the market and imported 238 million USD.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich had bilateral meetings with defence officials of New Zealand, the UK and Singapore on June 1 on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
At the celebration (Photo: VNA) 
