The Hanoi Chapter of the Vietnam-Palestine Friendship Association (VPFA) convened its first congress on June 1 to elect an 18-member executive board.

VPFA’s Hanoi Chapter was established on May 23, 2012, with its office based in Hanoi ’s Hoan Kiem district.

As a member of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations, the VPFA gathers organisations and Vietnamese citizens in the capital to promote friendship and mutual support between Hanoian and the Palestinian people.

Nguyen Quang Khai, the newly-elected President of the VPFA’s Hanoi Chapter, said that during its 2012-2017 term, the association will focus on portraying Vietnam and its people, especially Hanoi , as peaceful and a safe destination for international friends including Palestinian people.

Special attention is also being paid to promoting cultural heritages which have been recognised by international organisations, he said.

The association will work closely with the Committee for Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Palestinian Embassy, Palestinian and Arabian businesses and the Palestinian community in Hanoi .

The association will also provide free language courses in Arabic and organise trips to Palestine for its members, added Khai.-VNA