France's National Day marked in HCMC

VGP - The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations and the City Viet Nam – France Friendship Association have held a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City to mark the 228th French National Day (July 14, 1798 – July 14, 2017).

July 13, 2017 5:14 PM GMT+7

Congratulating France on its National Day, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, President of the City's Viet Nam – France Friendship Association, stressed that over the past years, Viet Nam – France relations had developed strongly in all areas, especially in politics, economics, culture, society and people’s diplomacy.

She said cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and France has also expanded, proven by investment by French businesses in the city and joint schemes in urban planning, urban lighting and education between the city and France’s Lyon city and Rhone-Alpes region.

According to Dung, the Association has served as a bridge connecting people of Ho Chi Minh City and French localities through coordinating the implementation of development projects andorganising festivals, photo exhibitions and presenting scholarships.

In turn, Emmanuel Ly Batallan, France's Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, was delighted by the rapid development of Viet Nam-France partnership.

He also pledged to do his utmost to strengthen friendship of the two nations and foster bilateral trade cooperation and investment.

There are currently 492 French investment projects worth some US$3.4 billion in Ho Chi Minh City, with the trade turnover between the city and France increasing year by year, at US$885 million in 2016.

Ho Chi Minh City is also one of places chosen to carry out important investment projects between two countries, including those in education, urban lighting, public development and provision of safe water.

By Vien Nhu