(VNF) - On September 6^th, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association of the city held a meeting to celebrate Malaysia’s 60^th Independence Day (August 31^st, 1957-2017) and launching a branch includes Vietnamese alumni who had studied in Malaysia.

A branch of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association, which includes Vietnamese students who had learnt in Malaysia, makes debut at the ceremony on September 6^th. (Source: VNA)

Speaking at the event, Tran Ngoc Son, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association, reviewed the milestones in the friendship between the two countries.

Relations between the two countries are constantly being strengthened and developed. Cooperation in the fields of culture, sports, tourism and labor between the two countries has also been expanded. Senior visits by leaders of the two countries are regularly maintained, creating a prerequisite for the establishment of a strategic partnership between Vietnam and Malaysia in August 7^th, 2015.

The relations between Malaysia and Vietnam, including HCM City, will develop more strongly and inclusively based on joint efforts and determination of their high-ranking leaders and people, he stressed.

For his part, Malaysian Consul General in the city Sofian Akmal Bin Abd Karim said that since they set up their diplomatic ties in 1973, Malaysia and Vietnam have seen fine relationship not only in ASEAN but also at international forums, which was reflected through the establishment of their strategic partnership in 2015.

Congratulating achievements of cooperation between Malaysia and HCM City, he affirmed to continue speeding up cooperation activities with HCM City in order to improve the two countries’ relations and contribute to building a united ASEAN Community.

Delegates shake hands expressing the spirit of friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Malaysia. (Source: VNA)

Two-way trade reached USD 3.97 billion in the first five months of 2017, up 27.9 per cent against the same period last year. Malaysia also is currently Vietnam’s eighth biggest trade partner with the market share of 2.4 per cent.

The country is one of the leading foreign investors in HCM City, with focus on finance, banking, construction and real estate.

On this occasion, the city’s Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association held a ceremony to launch a branch which includes Vietnamese students who had studied in Malaysia./.

Translated by Minh Chau