Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation from Vietnam’s southern province of Dong Nai, led by Permanent Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Ho Thanh Son, is on a working visit to Vila Nova de Gaia city of Portugal, from May 11 to 15.
As part of the visit, Dong Nai and Vila Nova de Gaia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in key areas including culture, tourism promotion, economic and trade exchange, urban refurbishment, and heritage preservation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Son Hung emphasised the significance of the agreement, calling it a promising start for a cooperative relationship between the two localities.
He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges through concrete programmes and projects, and reaffirmed Dong Nai’s commitment to creating favourable conditions for practical and effective partnerships that benefit both sides' residents and businesses.
Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues, President of the city council and Mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia, underlined his city’s strengths and the strong potential for joint initiatives with Dong Nai in economy, culture, and tourism. He expressed confidence that this partnership would further enhance the growing relationship between Vietnam and Portugal.
During the trip, the delegation also met with Vietnam’s diplomatic mission in Portugal to discuss ways to foster cooperation in trade, investment, culture, sports, and tourism between Dong Nai and various Portuguese localities.
They also had a meeting with the recently established Portugal–Vietnam Friendship Association (AAPV), which comprises prominent Portuguese individuals who have actively supported bilateral ties. Notable members include Henrique Calisto, former head coach of the Vietnamese men's national football team, and lawyer Jose Pedro Viera, who is also the association’s president.
On this occasion, the delegation visited key cultural and economic facilities in Vila Nova de Gaia, including urban planning firm Gaiurb, water utility Aguas de Gaia, and a local bus manufacturing and assembly company, to learn about the city’s socio-economic development and management models./.
