A performance act at the event.

The ceremony was attended by former State President, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fund for Peace and Development Nguyen Thi Binh; Chairman of the VUFO Vu Xuan Hong; French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean Noel Poirier; Chairman of the VFFA Patrice Lorland and crowds of members of the VFFA, French friends, French agencies and enterprises in Vietnam and students who are studying French in Vietnam.

Addressing the ceremony, Chairman of the Vietnam – France Friendship and Cooperation Association Nguyen Quang Huy reviewed the history of Vietnam – France bilateral diplomatic ties during the pass time and highlighted the help of the French Government to Vietnam in the early 1990s when France was the first country in Europe supporting Vietnam in its international integration. The bilateral relationship has developed rapidly, becoming a model for relations between a world power and a developing country.

Mr. Huy added that the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties 40 years ago marked a milestone and opened up a new page in the relationship between the two countries.

The relationship between the two countries has seen dynamic and comprehensive development in various areas such as economics, education, research, culture, arts, tourism, sports, architecture, fashion and national defence.

Chairman Nguyen Quang Huy said France is now Vietnam’s leading economic partner in Europe, adding that France’s effective assistance has contributed to Vietnam’s poverty reduction, socio-economic development and sustainable development. In 2012, bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD3.2 billion, with USD 3.14 billion of French investment in Vietnam.

Vietnam and France are implementing a series of bilateral cooperation programmes in infrastructure, energy, transport and aviation, while French cultural centres have opened in many cities and provinces in Vietnam.

The French cultural centres in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, and Idecaf Institute in Ho Chi Minh City have become favourite destinations for Vietnamese youths who love French culture./.

CPV