Vietnam treasures traditional friendship with Sri Lanka: diplomat

Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam had a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on October 3 during which she affirmed that Vietnam always attaches much importance to the traditional friendship with the South Asian country.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam (L) and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at their meeting on October 3 (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam (L) and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at their meeting on October 3 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam had a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on October 3 during which she affirmed that Vietnam always attaches much importance to the traditional friendship with the South Asian country.

The Vietnamese diplomat highlighted that the two nations have enjoyed sound ties between their parties, states and parliaments, hoping both sides will step up mutual visits and contacts at high level, promote the implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, expand collaboration across potential areas such as tourism, culture, education and agriculture, among others, encourage people-to-people exchanges, while continuing their traditional cooperation and support for each other at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, as they will celebrate the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year.

She also said she wishes that the Sri Lankan Government will keep creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese people living, working and studying in the nation.

Tam took the occasion to convey Vietnamese high-ranking leaders’ congratulations to Sri Lanka on its successful organisation of the 9th presidential election on September 21, expressing her belief that under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka will overcome difficulties and challenges soon, continue stable development and become an attractive destination of tourism, trade and foreign investment.

Harini Amarasuriya, for her part, said she admires Vietnam’s achievements in all areas, and that Vietnam boasts a development model that Sri Lanka could learn from, given the two nations’ similarities in geography, history and culture.

Sri Lanka always respects the sentiments that Vietnam has given to it, she said, adding as the new Government of Sri Lanka wants to bolster ties with Vietnam, she will direct competent ministries and sectors to enhance discussions with the latter about measures to boost collaboration in potential domains, including trade, investment, culture, education and Buddhism.

She acknowledged Tam’s recommendations on facilitating the import of Vietnamese goods, encouraging Sri Lankan businesses to land investment in Vietnam and working closely to organise cultural exchange activities to mark the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic ties, helping raising public awareness of the bilateral relations as well as the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, who made stops in Sri Lanka for three times during his journey seeking ways for national salvation./.

VNA

See more

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (L) presents the First-Class and Second-Class Fatherland Protection Orders to the collectives for their achievements in search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Venezuela. (Photo: VNA)

PM calls for building elite, professional international search and rescue force

During its mission from June 29 to July 7, the team worked around the clock under extremely hazardous conditions amid heavily damaged and contaminated disaster zones. Despite the challenges, rescue personnel recovered 57 victims' bodies and handed them over to local authorities and families. They also identified and reported several suspected locations where additional victims might be trapped.

People gather at Den Thuong (Upper Temple) during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day in Phu Tho province. (Photo: VNA)

📝 OP-ED: Respect for history, gratitude a lasting cultural value of Vietnamese people

In Vietnamese cultural life, gratitude toward preceding generations has long been preserved as an integral part of the nation's identity. This tradition is reflected in ancestor worship practiced in families, the Worship of the Hung Kings, village deities, national heroes and eminent cultural figures, as well as tributes to generations who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence and freedom.

General Phan Van Giang (R) and General Khamlieng Outhakaysone plant a tree at Thanh Thuy border gate. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Border community twinning strengthens Vietnam–Laos friendship

Over the past decade, the twinning relationship between Thuy Phong village in Nghe An’s Kim Bang commune, and Xop Tuong village in Nam On commune, Xaychamphone district, Bolikhamxay province of Laos, has become a model for fostering a shared border of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Delegates from the two nations, along with military attachés from several countries accredited to Vietnam, lay flowers in tribute to the Cuban military experts at the memorial monument within the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi on July 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cuba pay tribute to fallen Cuban military experts

Cuba and Vietnam on July 10 commemorated six Cuban military experts who lost their lives 60 years ago while supporting the Vietnamese people's resistance war, reaffirming the enduring solidarity and defence ties forged through the two countries' shared history.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (third from left) poses for a commemorative photo with Honorary Consul Thaneth Tantipiriyakij and officials from several southern Thai provinces in front of the Honorary Consulate of Vietnam in Phuket. (Photo:VNA)

Vietnam opens first honorary consulate in Phuket

The ambassador said the establishment of Vietnam's first honorary consulate in Phuket reflects both countries' commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Andaman sea economic gateway while meeting growing demand for consular services and better support for Vietnamese citizens and the Vietnamese community in southern Thailand.

Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang speaks at the press conference on July 9. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks early signing of trade deal with EFTA

Vietnam will continue working closely with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states to sign their free trade agreement (FTA) at an early date and effectively implement its commitments.