A get-together to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Malaysia’s Independence Day (August 31) was held by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) in the city on September 9.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association Tran Ngoc Son stressed the bilateral relations have been consolidated and developed in various sectors like trade and investment, education, security, defence and people-to-people exchange.

Both nations have enhanced the exchange of high-level delegations to improve political trust, while effectively coordinating at regional and international forums, he said.

Son added that on the basis of the fruitful ties in economy, security-defence, labour and tourism, Ho Chi Minh City authorities and the Malaysian General Consulate in the southern hub have joined hands to organise a wide range of people-to-people exchange activities so as to further develop the friendship and comprehensive collaboration.

Acting Consul General Raja Hanizam Putra, for his part, noted Vietnam and Malaysia share similarities in their histories, as they were all colonies and had to struggle for independence.

The two nations have enjoyed thriving all-round collaboration, he said, adding two-way trade has tripled in the past 10 years and they are looking towards a 15 billion USD trade revenue in 2020.

Registering some 13 billion USD in 600 projects, Malaysia is among large foreign investors in Vietnam. The number of Vietnamese tourists to Malaysia has increased through years, showing potential and strong development in the bilateral ties.

Q.Hoa t.h / VNA