Vietnam, Canada bolster cultural exchange to enhance relations
A special cultural event to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic relations (1973-2023) has been jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada, the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO).
Congressman Shaun Chen, Co-chairman of the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group (second from left), General Secretary of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association under the VUFO Nguyen Nang Khieu (second from right), and Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang (first from right) (Photo: VNA)
Ottawa (VNA) 𒆙– A special cultural event to mark the 50thanniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic relations (1973-2023) has beenjointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada, the Canada-Vietnam FriendshipParliamentary Group and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO).
In his opening remarks at the event, Ambassador Pham VinhQuang highlighted the sound relationship between the two countries in variousfields, from diplomacy, politics, investment, trade to cultural cooperationand people-to-people exchanges. He affirmed that Vietnamese people have alwaysconsidered Canada as a trusted friend and real partner in the Pacificregion. Congressman Shaun Chen, Co-chairman of theCanada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group, acknowledged that people-to-people exchange is one of factors to promote the two countries’ tiesin all aspects, especially when Canada is implementing the Indo-PacificStrategy in which the relationship with Vietnam is an important part. The ties between Vietnam-Canada have seen positive changes since the two sides established a Comprehensive Partnershipin 2017. Vietnam has become Canada’s biggest trading partner in ASEAN and agateway for Canadian enterprises to invest in Southeast Asia as well as the Asia-Pacificregion. Meanwhile, Canada has become Vietnam’s second largest partner in Americas. Two-way trade reached seven billion USD in 2022 and thefigure is expected to climb to 10 billion USD in 2023. General Secretary of the Vietnam-Canada FriendshipAssociation under the VUFO Nguyen Nang Khieu said people-to-people diplomacy isone of three pillars of Vietnam’s diplomacy in the new context, contributing to promoting bilateral relations between thetwo countries. The Vietnamese communityin Canada currently has about 300,000 people and there are about 21,000 Vietnamese students studying in Canada. This is said to be an important resource andsocial basis that contributes to promoting the development of the twocountries' relationship in all fields, especially in cultural cooperation andpeople-to-people exchanges./.
Vietnam and Canada have recently co-organised the UN logistics officer course within the framework of the latter’s Military Training & Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Canadian Embassy in Vietnam jointly held a friendship get-together in Hanoi on November 2 to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (1973 -2023).
The future of the relationship between Canada and Vietnam is promising, especially in the field of trade thanks to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), said Ghislain Robichaud, Regional Director for Quebec and Nunavut under the Global Affairs Canada.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
Congressman Shaun Chen, Co-chairman of the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group (second from left), General Secretary of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association under the VUFO Nguyen Nang Khieu (second from right), and Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang (first from right) (Photo: VNA) 
