A get-together was held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 11 to mark the 230th Bastille Day, or the National Day of France (July 14, 1789-2019). The HCM City’s Vietnam - France Friendship Association (VFFA) also presents the decision to establish a chapter in Children's Hospital 2.

An overview of the event.

Addressing the event, French Consul General in the city Vincent Floreani said that France is currently sharing partnership with many countries in the world, including Vietnam, adding that over the years, Vietnam and France have conducted many important activities to reinforce the sound bilateral ties.

A large number of French people are living in Vietnam, mostly in HCM City, and that the two sides have cooperated in many areas including economy, culture and education, he noted. In 2018, the number of Vietnamese students in France rose 40 per cent, while the number of French students in Vietnam is also increasing.

For her part, Chairwoman of the VFFA in HCM City Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung said that the Vietnam-France friendly relations have been developing strongly and sustainably, particularly since the two sides set up bilateral strategic partnership in 2013.

The economic cooperation is a priority pillar in the bilateral strategic partnership, Floreani said, adding that France is Vietnam’s third biggest investor with 2.8 billion USD and fourth trade partner with 5.1 billion USD among the European countries.

More than 200 French enterprises are operating in Vietnam. Moreover, the collaboration between the HCM city and France has been expanded. The city is hosting 252 French-invested projects worth over 261 million USD.

HCM City and Lyon city and Rhone-Alpes region of France have conducted many cooperation activities in the fields of urban planning and personnel training.

French non-governmental organisations have actively engaged in many projects and programmes in the city in social development, education, agriculture, health care, and HIV/AIDS, she noted.

Dung added that her association has worked to connect the peoples of both countries through coordination in projects to support poor households and people with disabilities as well as Agent Orange/dioxin victims, build schools, develop the community and supply clean water.

The city’s VFFA Chairwoman expressed her hope that the Friendship Association will continue receiving support from the French Consulate General as well as the French community in the city, thus further promoting the sound relations between the two countries.

At the meeting, the City’s VFFA presents the decision to establish a chapter in Children's Hospital 2./.

VNF