The 9 th Vietnam Oil and Gas Expo 2011 officially kicked off in Hanoi on Oct. 27.

The event, held every two years by the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PertroVietnam), this year has drawn the participation of five national pavilions of France , Russia , Singapore , Norway and Vietnam and 194 businesses from 21 countries and territories around the world.

Speaking at the opening, Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan highly valued the great contributions of the countries, international organisations and foreign businesses to Vietnam’s economic development in general and the oil and gas industry in particular.

First held in 1991, “Vietnam Oil and Gas Expo” has become an international event in the region, attracting an increasing number of oil and gas companies as well as manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, services and products in the fields of oil and gas and energy at home and abroad.

PetroVietnam’s displaying area included a pavilion of the parent company, and 16 independent stalls of subsidiaries

The 9 th Vietnam Oil and Gas Expo will open until Oct. 29./.