Vietnam, UK celebrate 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties

The 40^th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations was celebrated in Hanoi on January 10 in the presence of UK ambassador Antony Stokes, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, officials from the Vietnamese Party, Government and National Assembly along with entrepreneurs and non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives.

This year is the centennial anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh’s arrival in London. A blue plaque marks where President Ho Chi Minh worked at the Carlton Hotel, laying a solid foundation for friendship between the two nations.

Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the UK have grown considerably following Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to the UK in 2008, and the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2010.

Addressing the celebration event, UK ambassador Antony Stokes said, “This is a night to celebrate how far we have come, it is also a night to look forward to an ambitious future. That is why our focus is to Inspire, Learn and Innovate: Khoi day Tai nang; Phat trien Tri thuc; Doi moi vi Thinh Vuong.”

“To inspire, we will run cultural exchanges in both directions reaching beyond cities and beyond barriers. To learn, we will use technology to help more young people reach their potential, supporting the development of educations centres of excellence in both countries. By innovating, we will boost our mutual prosperity, aiming confidently for our joint strategic partnership targets of doubling bilateral trade and boosting investment.”

FM Minh praised the achievements the two countries have recorded over the years, saying he hopes that bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, and investment will become more effective in the future.

Closer coordination between Vietnam and the UK in dealing with global issues at international and regional forums will practically contribute to realizing and deepening the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership.

In addition, major cultural events such as a British Week in Hanoi. Danang and HCM City, a Vietnamese Week and the second Vietnamese Summer Festival in London will help promote mutual understanding and friendship and cooperation, meeting the aspirations and interests of the two countries’ people, Minh said.

Thousands of Vietnamese are currently studying in the UK. Britain has become a major export market for Vietnam and the world’s number one investor in Vietnam’s financial services. The launch of Vietnam Airlines direct flights is helping Vietnam become the UK’s fastest-growing tourist destination.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the UK hit US$3 billion in 2011, of which Vietnam’s exports to Britain were worth US$2.4 billion, accounting for 14.5 percent of Vietnam’s total export turnover to the EU and 2.5 percent of the country’s general export value.

Vietnam’s UK imports reached US$645 million, making up 8.3 percent of its imports from the EU.