At the event, MoFA Deputy Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga thanked foreign press and representative agencies in Vietnam for their effective cooperation over the past year.

“Your news, articles and reports have conveyed to the international community a more truthful and comprehensive picture of Vietnam, its domestic and foreign policies as well as the achievements the country has made over the past time and difficulties it will overcome in the future,” she said.  

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga

She expressed her wish that in the time to come, foreign press and representative agencies in Vietnam will continue to serve as a bridge between Vietnam and the world, providing the international community with comprehensive, accurate and objective information on Vietnam.

The MoFA will coordinate with relevant agencies and localities in creating the best conditions for the operations of foreign reporters, press and representative agencies in Vietnam, Nga said.

 On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee hosted a New Year meeting with representatives of foreign representative agencies, international organisations and foreign business associations based in the city.

The municipal People’s Committee’s Chairman, Le Hoang Quan thanked international friends for their active contributions to Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, in the struggle for national independence and reunification in the past as well as the current national development.

As 2013 marks the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and 23 countries in the world, Quan said the city wish to receive close coordination from foreign representative agencies in organising celebrating activities, thus strengthening understanding, cooperation and solidarity between Vietnam and international friends.

German Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Conrad Cappell congratulated the city on the achievements it has attained despite the global economic recession. He said he believes that HCM City will continuously develop, maintaining its status as a major economic hub of Vietnam.

Also on January 30, in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, local leaders attended a get-together with 250 overseas Vietnamese who come home for Tet.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau is home to 50 investment projects and 30 businesses owned by overseas Vietnamese with a total investment of more than 6.8 billion USD. The projects mainly focus on tourism and hotel services and production.

On the occasion, the overseas Vietnamese presented gifts to Brigade 171 officers and soldiers who are defending the country’s sacred sea and island sovereignty.

VNA