Phnom Penh (VNA) – Vietnamese expatriates inCambodia gathered to celebrate the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) at aceremony at the Vietnam Embassy on January 25.
In his speech delivered at the event, Ambassador Vu QuangMinh reviewed the past year. He said 2018 witnessed the host nation making importantsocio-economic achievements and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the victoryover the Pol Pot genocidal regime.
The year also marked records made in the development ofVietnam-Cambodia comprehensive cooperation, Minh stressed, noting thatbilateral trade hit some 4.5 billion USD, up 18 percent annually.
The Vietnamese community in Cambodia has made significantefforts to overcome difficulties, improve their living standards and legalstatus, and contribute to socio-economic growth in their second home country,the diplomat noted.
According to him, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior approvedthe Cambodian Vietnamese Association’s registration following the country’s newlaw on socio-political organisations. The association has been renamed the Khmer-VietnamAssociation and has come out with a new set of principles and logo. Meanwhile,a club for Vietnamese entrepreneurs was launched for the first time inCambodia.
He said the Vietnamese embassy and general consulates haveworked closely with the Khmer-Vietnam Association and Vietnamese investors inCambodia to conduct several measures to support the expatriate community,particularly in boosting their legal status.
On the occasion, the embassy presented Deputy Prime Ministerand Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh’s decision on awarding expat individualsand groups in recognition of their significant contributions to developing the community.Minh also handed over certificates of merit to outstanding Vietnamese studentsat the Royal University of Phnom Penh. –VNA
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