Hanoi (VNA) – The Embassy of France in Vietnam onJuly 14 hosted a get-together in Hanoi to celebrate the 233rd anniversary of French National Day (July 14, 1789 – 2022), with VietnameseDeputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc in attendance.
It was the first French National Day celebration in Vietnamin three years after COVID-19-induced suspension, said French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery in his remarks at the event.
He then recalled the two countries’ support for each other atthe time of hardship as the pandemic was ravaging the world. There were acts ofkindness and solidarity between France and Vietnam, he said, referring to thefact that Vietnam donated face masks to France in 2020 and France provided Vietnam withvaccine and medical supplies the following year.
Highlighting the development of the bilateral relationsdespite COVID-19, Ambassador Warnery affirmed that the pandemic could neverbreak the ties. Vietnam and France have not given up any joint projects, henoted, adding that the two sides have resumed high-level meetings as soon asthey could, reflected by the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh toFrance last November.
He went on to talk about several joint projects between thetwo countries, noting that both sides must soon complete the construction of anelevated section of France-funded urban metro line No.3 in Hanoi as the successof the project will create a spillover effect on other public ones.
Vietnam and France have boasted strong cooperation in theareas of culture and heritage, education and linguistics, science andtechnology, health care, justice, and decentralised governance and cooperation,he said.
The diplomat further said that the two nations willcelebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the10th year of their strategic partnership next year, which areexpected to raise the bilateral ties to a new height.
Deputy FM Ngoc said July 14 has become an annual occasion for promoting theVietnam – France friendship and honouring the quintessence of the interactionbetween the two cultures, citing the fact that there have been French influence in Vietnamese architecture, language, cuisine and others.
The bilateral relations have produced numerous fine andpractical results, he emphasised, anticipating that the bilateral agenda for2023 will be very dynamic with the upcoming anniversaries, contributing to thefuture cooperation achievements between the two countries./.
