Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) hosted a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on December 9 celebrating the 88th anniversary of the birth of the Thai King and the National Day of Thailand (December 5).
At the function, Truong Hoang, Chairman of the city’s Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association hailed the development of bilateral relationship over the past time, especially the upgrade of their ties to a strategic partnership in 2013.
He said the association in coordination with the Thai Consulate General and Thai Business Association in the city has hosted a number of cultural exchanges, not to mention a line-up of activities slated for next year to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Thai Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Panpimon Suwannaponge, for her part, said the Thai community will continue working closely with the VUFO chapter in the city to nurture friendship between the two peoples.
Two-way trade between Vietnam and Thailand has grown 10-13 percent annually and is expected to hit 20 billion USD by 2020. Thailand has become the top trade partner of Vietnam among ASEAN member states.
Thailand is currently the 10th largest investor in Vietnam with 374 projects.-VNA