The Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, and Vietnamese Ambassador to UNESCO Van Nghia Dung held a reception for foreign diplomats in Paris on Sept. 14.

The reception to mark the 999th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and the 182 nd session of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), drew the participation of UNESCO Assistant Director-General for External Relations Ahmed Sayyad, Assistant Director-General for Culture Francoise Riviere and Vietnamese Ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai among foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organisations to UNESCO.

Addressing the ceremony, the Hanoi vice mayor briefed the guests on Thang Long-Hanoi and emphasised the capital city’s role as a political, cultural and economic centre of Vietnam over the past decades.

Hanoi is now the largest city in Vietnam in term of area with 3,300 sq.km and takes the second place in term of population with more than 6 million habitants, she said.

“Vietnamese people in general and Hanoians in particular are proud of the city’s thousand-year history with diverse and unique cultural identities,” Hang said, adding that Hanoi, during the development and integration process, still preserves its ancient beauty adorned by modern works and becomes a safe investment and tourist attraction.

She said she was pleased with UNESCO’s decision to participate in the 1,000 anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi scheduled for 2010.

Hanoi was honoured with the UNESCO title of “The City for Peace” ten years ago./.