General Director of the Vietnam News Agency and  Chairman of the Việt Nam – Spain Friendship Association Nguyễn Đức Lợi meets with guests attending the ceremony on Monday. VNA photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI – General Director of the Vietnam News Agency Nguyễn Đức Lợi was honoured with The Spanish King’s Order of Civil Merit Encomienda at a ceremony held by the Spanish Embassy in Hà Nội on Monday.

The order is bestowed upon individuals with distinct contributions to Spain and its relations with other countries.

Also Chairman of the Việt Nam – Spain Friendship Association, which was established in May 2004, Lợi and other leaders and members of the association have contributed to boosting ties between the two countries' people as well as their friendship.

Expressing his gratitude and happiness to receive the order, the VNA General Director said the reward acknowledged his small contribution to fortifying Việt Nam – Spain solidarity, friendship, and development collaboration.

He pledged further efforts to enhance bilateral ties.

Also on the occasion, the order was presented to three other Vietnamese and Spanish citizens, including Nguyễn Xuân Sơn, the embassy’s official Vietnamese interpreter during 1998 – 2003 who has contributed greatly to the popularisation of the Spanish language via numerous classes. The others are two Spanish nationals, Diego Cortizas and his wife Laura Fontán, who founded the Chula Fashion brand. Chula Fashion shops established in a number of Vietnamese localities have introduced Spanish culture to locals.

Congratulating the four recipients, Spanish Ambassador Pilar Méndez Jiménez said they represented the best of Việt Nam – Spain relations.

Expressing her thanks to Lợi and members of his association for helping the embassy reinforce bilateral ties, she mentioned the friendship association’s donation of medical equipment to the Spanish people in the fight against COVID-19, saying it encouraged them to overcome the most difficult period for the nation in decades. — VNS