Hong Kong (VNA) – The ConsulateGeneral of Vietnam in Hong Kong and Macau held a banquet on September 19 tocelebrate the 78th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September2).
Itwas Vietnam's biggest ever political, diplomatic, cultural, tourism, culinary,and business networking event in Hong Kong, with about 600 guests.
Speakingat the event, Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong Pham Binh Dam described HongKong as one of the biggest foreign investors in Vietnam.
Hesaid the Vietnamese Government and the Hong Kong administration have always offeredall possible support to step up bilateral ties across trade, investment,finance, tourism and education.
SinceHong Kong loosened visa issuance for Vietnamese students three years ago, thenumber of Vietnamese students coming to Hong Kong has increased sharply toabout 40 per year.
Damwished that as a financial, trade and logistics hub of theregion and the world, Hong Kong would continue upholding its role as a bridgebetween mainland China, Vietnam and ASEAN.
Secretary for Development of Hong Kong BernadetteLinn, for her part, described Vietnam as the seventh biggest tradepartner of Hong Kong.
She hoped that Vietnamwill tap its potential and reinforce stronger cooperation in such areas asservices, finance, technological innovation and education.
Guests at the eventwere treated to music and dance performances, and traditional Vietnamese foodas well.
On the occasion, adelegation of Vietnamese painters also attended an art exhibition, part of a series of cultural diplomacy activities held by the VietnameseConsulate General in Hong Kong to spread Vietnamese fine arts to the world./.