The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on March 3 presented a “For Peace and Friendship among Nations” insignia to the Republic of Korea’s outgoing Ambassador Im Hong Jae.

During his term of office, the ambassador took an active part in promoting cooperative relations between ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries, turning the RoK into Vietnam ’s leading investor, trading partner and ODA provider.

Bilateral ties in culture, science, technology, education, tourism, people-to-people friendship and other fields also developed strongly.

The diplomat initiated a campaign in the RoK for the public to vote for Vietnam ’s Ha Long Bay as a world natural wonder and its Bac Ninh love duet singing as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

He also paid due attention to protecting the rights of Vietnamese women who married RoK citizens.

Speaking at the ceremony where VUFO President Vu Xuan Hong presented him with the award, Ambassador Im Hong Jae said it was a privilege for him to receive the Union ’s most noble honour. He also pledged to continue his efforts in future to further strengthen and develop friendly, cooperative ties between the two peoples./.