Malaysia’s Independence Day celebrated in HCM City

At the photo exhibition on Vietnam-Malaysia people-to-people diplomacy (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – A get-together to mark the 61st anniversary of Malaysia’s Independence Day (August 31) and a cultural festival to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic ties were held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 30.

The events were co-organised by the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association (VMFA) of HCM City.

Addressing the events, President of the VMFA HCM City Tran Ngoc Son recalled some of the milestones in Vietnam-Malaysia ties, stressing that the bilateral relations have been expanded across the areas of economy, trade, and investment since the establishment of Strategic Partnership in 2015. 

In the first six months of 2018, two-way trade hit 6.67 billion USD, a rise of 19.2 percent year-on-year. Malaysia currently ranks seventh among countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 562 projects worth more than 12 billion USD. 

About 65,000 Vietnamese people are currently living in Malaysia, serving as a bridge to foster the friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations. In addition, the bilateral cooperation in culture, education, labour, and sports have been strengthened, contributing towards the Vietnam-Malaysia friendship, Son noted.

For his part, Malaysian Consul General in HCM City Sofian Akmal Abd. Karim said the establishment of the Strategic Partnership has created optimal conditions for the two countries to bolster collaboration, notably in investment promotion, trade, and economic exchange. 

The two countries have worked to bring bilateral trade to 15 billion USD by 2020 in line with huge potential for economic cooperation, he added.

Meanwhile, a wide range of activities are underway during the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Cultural Festival, such as a cultural event featuring Malaysian cuisine and music. 

More than 150 photos, featuring Vietnam-Malaysia people-to-people diplomacy over the years, are on display at an exhibition which runs until September 6.-VNA