Hanoi has asked the French city of Marseille for help in the supply of advanced, modern medical equipment and human resources training.

Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, the Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People’s Committee, stated this when receiving a senior delegation from Marseille, led by Deputy Mayor Jacques Rocca on April 24 in Hanoi .

Ngoc said that the Hanoi People’s Committee has approved a plan to develop Hanoi ’s health sector to 2020 and orientation towards 2030.

Under the plan, Hanoi will build 10 top quality hospitals by 2015, and it needs help from outside investors.

Both cities should also strengthen cultural cooperation on the occasion of the 40 th anniversary of bilateral ties, she added.

Deputy Mayor Rocca agreed with Hanoi ’s proposal to boost cultural exchanges and encourage businesses to invest in the city’s infrastructure, transport management and conservation projects in Hanoi ’s Old Quarter, as these are Marseille’s strong points.

Hanoi now has established relation with over 100 capitals and cities around the world, including many French cities. There are 57 French investors in Hanoi , with a total registered capital of almost 180 million USD.-VNA