Nguyen Thi Bich Hue, Minister-Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris has been awarded France’s National Order of Merit in recognition of her contributions to boosting friendship between the two country.

Jean-Francois Girault, former French Ambassador to Vietnam presented the decoration to the Vietnamese diplomat at a ceremony in Paris on March 27.

Addressing the event, Elisabeth Laurin from the French Foreign Ministry highlighted Hue’s significant service to the successful organisation of the Vietnam-France Exchange Year (2013-2014) and the arrangement of high-ranking visits of both nations’ leaders.

She said her agency will further forge links with its Vietnamese counterparts in the future, thus strengthening the bilateral relations.

In reply, Minister-Counsellor Hue expressed her honour to receive the distinction, promising to make more efforts to promote the Vietnam-France Friendship.

Founded in 1963, the National Order of Merit honours French citizens and foreign nationals for their distinguished civil or military achievements to France.-VNA