The first congress of the Vietnam-Singapore friendship association (VSFA) took place in Hanoi on September 18, during which an executive committee of 29 members was elected for the 2014-2019 term, led by Vu Viet Ngoan, Chairman of the National Finance Supervisory Commission.

Addressing the congress, chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship organisations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong commended the establishment of VSFA, as the VUFO’s 109th member.

According to Chairman Hong, the VSFA marked a step forward in boosting the relations and cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore. He affirmed that the VSFA would serve as a platform to promote comprehensive links between the two States, particularly in the fields of politics, economics, culture, trade and tourism.

Chairman Hong and Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh expressed their hopes that the VSFA would also enhance cooperation and understanding between the people of Singapore and Vietnam, contributing to a sustainable ASEAN community by 2015.

Singaporean Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Raymond Chow confirmed the Embassy would support and assist the VSFA in organising its activities and boosting friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Over the years, Vietnamese-Singaporean relations have seen significant developments. Currently, Singapore is one of Vietnam’s leading trade partners, ranking 3rd out of 90 countries and territories worldwide in terms of investment in Vietnam.-VNA