Various celebrations have been held all over the globe to mark the approaching Lunar New Year (Tet), the most important annual festival of Vietnamese people.

In Cambodia , Phnom Penh governor Paso Cheatevong on January 28 paid a courtesy visit to the Vietnamese Embassy the occasion of the special event.

He extended Tet wishes to embassy officials and staff in the Year of the Horse, and expressed his hope that Vietnamese agencies and localities will strengthen cooperation in various areas with Phnom Penh for their mutual benefit.

Ambassador Ngo Anh Dung acknowledged the governor and Phnom Penh people’s contributions to Vietnam-Cambodia relations. He assured the governor that the embassy will do its utmost to speed up multifaceted cooperation programmes between Vietnamese localities and Phnom Penh , especially between the two capitals.

Meanwhile, more than 400 international friends, including Japanese politicians and representatives of foreign embassies attended a get-together in Tokyo on January 28 at the Vietnamese Embassy’s headquarters.

Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung reviewed Vietnam ’s major development achievements in 2013, and affirmed relations between Vietnam and Japan are faring well in all areas.

He took this occasion to thank the government and people of Japan , as well as international friends, for providing effective assistance to Vietnam in the past year.

The distinguished guests enjoyed a special art performance by Vietnamese embassy staff and sampled traditional Vietnamese dishes.

In Romania , the Vietnamese embassy hosted a Tet reception for Vietnamese residents in Bucharest on January 26.

Ambassador Tran Xuan Thuy commended Vietnamese residents for their practical contributions to the homeland.

He presented certificates of merit to community representatives in recognition of their outstanding contribution to developing the community in Romania and strengthening Vietnam-Romania relations.

Trinh Dang Ngoc, president of the Vietnamese community in Romania , highlighted the community’s major activities in 2013, including fund-raising campaigns for people affected by natural disasters in the central region of Vietnam .

In a cosy atmosphere, participants tasted traditional Tet dishes and enjoyed art performances by embassy staff and Vietnamese students.

On January 28, Vietnamese people in Algeria gathered at the Vietnamese Embassy in the country. The event also saw the participation of representatives of the host country’s Foreign Minister and the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Association.

Ambassador Vu The Hiep underscored new progress in the Vietnam-Algeria ties with the success of the 10 th Inter-Governmental Committee.

He extended his best New Year wishes to the Vietnamese community in Algeria , expressing hope that they will promote solidarity and act as bridges to further foster the friendship between the two countries.

The same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa held a Tet party for Overseas Vietnamese in the country, Botswana and some neighbouring countries.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Le Huy Hoang reiterated that Overseas Vietnamese are an indispensable part of the nation. Supporting for the OVs in integrating with the host countries remains a priority of the country, he added.

Also on January 28, Vietnamese people in Singapore offered floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his monument and statue.

The monument, inaugurated in 2008 to celebrate the 118 th birthday of the late leader, commemorates his visits to Singapore in 1930 and 1933.

In order to bring the Tet atmosphere of the homeland to Vietnamese people in the Republic of Korea (RoK), the Vietnamese Embassy held an art performance to celebrate the traditional festival.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Pham Huu Chi wished the Vietnamese community in the RoK, especially guest workers in the country, a happy New Year.

He spoke highly of the workers’ contributions to the economic development of both Vietnam and the RoK, as well as to the promotion of the Vietnam ’s image in the eyes of RoK businesses and friends.

On the occasion, Ambassador Chi also informed that the two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding allowing more than 10,000 Vietnamese labourers to work in the RoK in 2014.

He also visited and presented gifts to some outstanding Vietnamese-RoK families in the host country.-VNA