Celebrations welcome Vietnamese New Year in Cambodia, UK hinh anh 1Ambassador Vu Quang Minh presents gifts to Vietnamese students in Cambodia at the banquet in celebration of Tet on February 6 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese people in Cambodia and the UK have held Lunar New Year (Tet) celebrations, with Vietnam’s biggest traditional festival only about a week away.

A banquet was held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia on February 6, attracting representatives of Vietnamese businesses and students in the country, the Association of Vietnamese-Cambodian people and some Vietnamese provinces bordering Cambodia such as Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Tay Ninh.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Vu Quang Minh highlighted Vietnam’s achievements last year, adding that 2017 recorded significant diplomatic successes, especially hosting APEC Year 2017, helping to promote the country’s stature.

Regarding Vietnam-Cambodia ties, he said the two sides continued delegation exchanges at all levels and strengthened trust between their leaders and peoples. Ministries, sectors and localities coordinated to organise activities marking 50 years of diplomatic ties.

[HCM City hosts Tet celebration for Overseas Vietnamese]

Bilateral trade reached 3.7 billion USD in 2017, up 28 percent year on year. With 196 investment projects worth nearly 3 billion USD, Vietnam is among the five biggest foreign investors in Cambodia.

The diplomat said Vietnamese people in Cambodia greatly contributed to the homeland’s resistance wars in the past and the two countries’ friendship at present.

He asked the expatriates to overcome difficulties and keep solidarity to serve as a bridge linking the two countries.

On February 5, nearly 200 Vietnamese students of the University of the West of England, Bristol, the UK, and their international peers from nearby universities also gathered at a programme to celebrate Tet.

The annual event featured numerous activities, including plays, musical performances and a fashion show.-VNA
VNA