Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Le Hoang Quan told Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Igor Morgulov that the city will do its utmost to enhance its relations with Russian localities and partners.

At a meeting with the Russian guest on November 15, Chairman Quan stressed that the Vietnamese people, including those living in Ho Chi Minh City, always bear in mind the valuable support that the Soviet Union in the past and Russia at present has given to Vietnam during its struggle for liberation as well as national construction and defence.

He noted with pleasure that bilateral ties are developing continuously today and being lifted to a new height.

According to the official, two-way trade between Ho Chi Minh City and Russia has reached over 250 million USD so far this year, of which 150 million USD are from the city’s exports.

Vietnam’s largest city has also welcomed more than 200,000 Russian tourist arrivals.

However, he noted that the cooperation results have yet to match both sides’ potential, adding that Ho Chi Minh City wishes to further its ties with Russian localities and partners in economics, trade, culture, and people-to-people diplomacy.

Igor Morgulov, in turn, spoke highly of Ho Chi Minh City’s role in Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

Russia always attaches importance to enhancing ties with its traditional partners, with Vietnam being a priority, he said, affirming that his country is willing to boost its all-round relations with Vietnam.-VNA