Senior Vietnamese and Malaysian officials said they have high hopes for a stronger friendship and better cooperation between the two countries for their common prosperity at a ceremony to mark the 56th National Day of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City.
 
It was stated by Chairwoman of the HCM City chapter of the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung and Malaysian Consul General in HCM City Shazryll Zahiran.

Zahiran hailed the considerable development of bilateral links since Malaysia and Vietnam established diplomatic ties in 1973.

According to him, a series of cooperation agreements and a joint statement on comprehensive cooperation in this century has laid the foundation for long-term and steady relations based on mutual trust and respect.

In the face of economic turmoil in the region and the world, two-way trade between Vietnam and Malaysia grew steadily from 4.1 billion USD in 2009 to 7.9 billion USD last year.

Malaysia is now the biggest investor in HCM City, registering 177 projects worth 5.9 billion USD.

Their connections in tourism and education have also fared well.-VNA