A wide range of activities will be held in 2013 to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and India, and between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India in general.

The Indian Embassy in Vietnam released the information at a press conference on December 27.

Activities include performances by India’s renowned rock band SHWAAS in central Da Nang city on January 2, Ho Chi Minh City on January 4, Can Tho on January 6 and Hanoi on January 7 and 8. An investment and business seminar will also be organised by the Indian Embassy in conjunction with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the India Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Calcutta and the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam (INCHAM) on January 3 in Da Nang.

Participants at the seminar are expected to include ICC representatives, Indian businesses and 100 Vietnamese firms from Da Nang and surrounding areas.

Indian naval ship Sudarshini will visit Da Nang from December 31, 2012 to January 3, 2013, to mark the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 5 th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and India, as well as the 20-year India-ASEAN relationship.

The vessel is scheduled to visit 13 ports in nine ASEAN member countries, including Indonesia, Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. The goodwill visit aims to foster friendship among countries. -VNA