A ceremony to mark the 226th anniversary of the French National Day (July 14) was held in HCM City on July 13.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the HCM City Chapter of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association Le Quoc Hung stressed the relationship between the two countries has developed in politics, economics, culture, education, science and technology and security- defence.

He said the multi-faced cooperation between HCM City and France and especially the Rhone-Alpes region and Lyon city has also developed.

France ninth of 70 countries and territories investing in the southern city, he added.

Many French investors, businesses and non-governmental organizations are taking part in humanitarian projects and others in economics, culture, education, society, healthcare, HIV/AIDS prevention and control and the environment, making practical contributions to the city’s development.

For his part, Consul General Emmanuel Ly Batallan thanked the city’s leaders and citizens for their positive sentiments towards French people.

He said he wished relations between the two sides would be strengthened and developed moving forward.-VNA