Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan has described the international community’s assistance to Vietnam as practical to the country’s socio-economic development in a Hanoi meeting with foreign officials in Vietnam.

The meeting was hosted by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organisation Affairs on February 10 for representatives of diplomatic corps, and international and non-governmental organisations on the threshold of the lunar New Year, the country’s largest festival.

She extended the best New Year wishes to international guests.

Speaking at the event, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong stated that Vietnam’s friendship and cooperation with other nations has been enhanced continuously in the past year.

The 304 million USD aid provided by NGOs has contributed importantly to reducing poverty, boosting socio-economic development, accelerating climate change adaptation, and dealing with war aftermaths in Vietnam, he added.

Head of the diplomatic corps, Moroccan Ambassador El Houcine Fardani extended his wishes of peace, prosperity, happiness, and success to all Vietnamese on the occasion of the coming Year of the Goat.

He emphasised the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in international cooperation. He went on to say that signed and pending free trade agreements and the formation of an ASEAN Community by the end of this year will enable Vietnam’s deeper integration into the international community.

The diplomat also reaffirmed the determination to join hands in elevating Vietnam’s relations with foreign countries and organisations through peaceful collaboration and on the basis of mutual benefits.

The same day, a gathering for the same purpose was also organised for representatives of Consulates General, NGOs, and international organisations in Ho Chi Minh City.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan told his guests that the city continues to maintain socio-political stability, hasten administrative reforms, and create more favourable conditions for investors.-VNA