Vietnamese and Hungarian youngsters should be enabled to study together and share experiences, said a Hungarian diplomat while speaking highly of cooperation in education and training.

“The young generation should be tasked to promote fine bilateral relations which have been built up over the past 60 years,” said Hungarian Minister Counselor to Vietnam , Varaljai Marton, at a ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Hungary diplomatic ties in Ho Chi Minh City on Feb. 3.

He said that in addition to 35 million USD in Official Development Assistance (ODA), Hungary would continue offering Vietnam some 500,000 euros each year to educate students in natural sciences, health care, agriculture and technology.

At the occasion, Marton spoke highly of Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the region and in the world as well as the nation’s efforts to build a market economy and a new legal foundation facilitating investment and international economic cooperation.

Le Minh Triet, Chairman of the municipal Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association, thanked Hungary for helping Vietnam train over 4,000 people and said he hoped the relationship would continue expanding to all fields, bringing about practical benefits for the two nations.

Vietnam-Hungary trade grew 34.5 percent on a yearly average in the 2005-2007 period, hitting a record 100 million USD in 2008. Hungary mostly imports agricultural products, leather shoes, utensils and electronics from Vietnam. Hungarian businesses are investing in tourism, information technology, healthcare, real estate, waste treatment and environment protection in Vietnam.