A ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam-Italy diplomatic ties was held at the Italian Embassy in Việt Nam on Thursday.

HÀ NỘI — The Italian Embassy in Việt Nam held a ceremony in Hà Nội on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam-Italy diplomatic ties (March 23, 1972 - 2023).

Speaking at the event, Italian Ambassador to Việt Nam Antonio Alessandro said numerous activities would be held this year to honour mutual understanding and cooperation between the two peoples.

The logo marking the occasion, designed by a student from the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, will be present in activities with the name “Italy - Việt Nam 2023” in Italian language and “Việt Nam - Italy Year 2023” in Vietnamese language, he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng said Việt Nam and Italy had become reliable cooperation partners in many fields ranging from politics, diplomacy, investment, business to culture, tourism, education and training in both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

The upgrade of bilateral ties to strategic partnership in 2013 was a historic milestone in their relationship, she said, adding that Italy is one of the top European Union partners of Việt Nam while Việt Nam is the biggest ASEAN trade partner of Italy.

She expressed her belief that bilateral diplomatic ties will keep thriving, especially in investment and trade when both nations fully tap opportunities from the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement.

A number of high-level visits and special cultural events would be held in both nations this year, thus further promoting their relationship in the future, she said. — VNS