Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyễn Mạnh Cường (fourth, from right) is with Bangladesh's Interim Government Advisor in charge of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhter and Ambassadors and Charge d'Affaires of ASEAN countries at the celebration. Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh

DHAKA – The Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh and the Association of Overseas Vietnamese in Macau (China) have held ceremonies to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the 79th anniversary of National Day (September 2).

At the celebration in Bangladesh, Ambassador Nguyễn Mạnh Cường highlighted the significance of National Day and Việt Nam’s outstanding achievements during its Đổi Mới (renewal) process.

Regarding Việt Nam-Bangladesh relations, Cường affirmed that Bangladesh is becoming an important partner of Việt Nam in the fields of international cooperation, delegation exchange, trade-investment, and tourism. Two-way trade reached US$1.05 billion in 2023, and the two sides are aiming for US$2 billion in the coming time.

He believed that this good traditional relationship will continue to develop strongly. The Government and people of Việt Nam always remember and appreciate the valuable support that the Government and people of Bangladesh have given to Việt Nam in the past struggle for independence as well as in the country's development today.

Bangladesh Interim Government Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Farida Akhter, congratulated the Party, State, and people of Việt Nam on the 79th National Day. Appreciating Việt Nam’s achievements in various fields, she said that the two countries have great potential to boost cooperation, particularly in agriculture and technology.

She suggested that the two countries further promote cooperation between the business community and people-to-people relations. Bangladesh wishes to learn from Việt Nam’s experience in signing free trade agreements (FTAs), she said, suggesting that Việt Nam play an active role in accelerating the process of making Bangladesh a sectoral dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Meanwhile, at the event in Macau (China), Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, Lê Đức Hạnh, reviewed Việt Nam’s achievements in the cause of national construction and defence over the past 79 years.

Hạnh said that Việt Nam and Macau see great opportunities to develop their relations, especially in economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and grasping new development trends, on the basis of the good relationship between Việt Nam and China.

The Consulate General of Việt Nam is working with the Macau government to gradually lift visa restrictions for Vietnamese tourists and workers, meeting the needs of both sides, the diplomat said.

The Macau side also expressed its desire to welcome more Vietnamese students to study in Macau and hoped that tourism cooperation between the two sides will grow further, Hạnh added. VNS