Vietnam and Indonesia neede to step up efforts to lift cooperative economic ties to match each country’s position in the region and their close relations.

President of the Vietnam – Indonesia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, Luong Van Ly and Indonesian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Bambang Tarsanto shared this view at a get-together on September 6 to mark the 66 th National Day of Indonesia.

Ly stressed that Vietnam – Indonesia relations have been ceaselessly strengthened and developed over the past 55 years, adding that the bilateral cooperation have been further tightened with the participation of each country in activities of ASEAN, and at regional and international forums, especially since Vietnam took the role of ASEAN chair last year, and now Indonesia is holding this position.

In the first six months of this year, two-way trade between Vietnam and Indonesia rose to 1.94 billion USD, up 37.8 percent from 1.18 billion USD last year. By November last year, Indonesia had invested in 25 projects worth 203 million USD in Vietnam.

On the occasion, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Culture House hosted an Indonesian culture programme to introduce the country, people and rich culture of Indonesia.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences and Humanities also organised a cultural exchange entitled “Indonesian Colour” for the two countries’ young people and students living, studying and working in the city./.