Ambassador Vu Quang Minh and Cambodian Minister of Tourism Thong Khon at the celebration (Photo: VNA) Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia held a banquet in Phnom Penh on August 29 to celebrate the 74th National Day of Vietnam (September 2, 1945-2019).
The event was attended by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh, Deputy PM Men Sam On, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon, Governor of Cambodia’s State Bank Chea Chanto, leaders of various ministries of Cambodia, and representatives of the Vietnamese community and investors in Cambodia.
Participants watched a video highlighting socio-economic and foreign relation achievements of Vietnam during the past 74 years, along with memories of King Norodom Sihanouk with Vietnam.
Addressing the event, Minister Thong Khon lauded Vietnam’s achievements over the past more than seven decades of national construction and defence, especially high growth rate since the “Doi Moi” (renewal) was introduced in 1986.
He congratulated Vietnam for becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure with a nearly absolute vote, showing the international community’s recognition of Vietnam’s contributions to promoting peace, stability and prosperity.
The official noted that cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia has expanded in all fields, with regular high-level visits.
He said he believes bilateral trade will exceed 5 billion USD in 2020. With more than 800,000 Vietnamese tourists visiting Cambodia in 2018, Vietnam has become the second biggest tourism market of the neighbouring country. In 2019, the number is expected to reach 900,000, he added.
Minister Thong Khon highly valued the support Vietnam has given to Cambodia in personnel training, stressing that Cambodian people always remember Vietnamese soldiers’ sacrifices for saving Cambodians from the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in 1979.
Cambodia will work with other ASEAN member countries to ensure the success of ASEAN events to be hosted by Vietnam in 2020 when Vietnam plays the role of the ASEAN Chair, he pledged.-VNA
VNA
