(VNF) - The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the city’s Vietnam-France Friendship Association on July 11^th held a ceremony to mark the 228^th National Day of France (July 14^th, 1798 –2017).

At the ceremony marks the 228^th anniversary of Bastille Day - French National Day in Ho Chi Minh City.

Speaking at the event, Chairwoman of the city’s Vietnam-France Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung congratulated France on the National Day, stressing that since the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2013, the relationship between the two countries has developed strongly across various fields, including politics, economy, culture, society and people-to-people diplomacy.

She said cooperation ties between HCM City and France have also been expanded, proven by the investment of French businesses in the city and joint schemes in urban planning, urban lighting and education, between the city and the French city of Lyon and the Rhone-Alpes region.

According to Ms. Dung, the Association has served as a bridge connecting the people of HCM City and French localities through coordinating the implementation of development projects and organising festivals, photo exhibitions and presenting scholarships.

Emmanuel Ly Batallan, French Consul General in HCM City speaks at the ceremony.

For his part, Emmanuel Ly Batallan, French Consul General in HCM City, was delighted by the rapid development of the Vietnam-France partnership.

He also pledged to do his utmost to strengthen the friendship of the two nations and foster bilateral trade cooperation and investment.

Currently, there are 492 French-investment projects, with total investment capital of USD 3.4 billion, in HCM City. Trade turnover between the city and France has increased annually, reaching USD 885 million in 2016.

Performance at the ceremony.

On the same day, a flag raising ceremony was held to mark the 228^th anniversary of Bastille Day at Consulate General of France in HCM City.

The raising of the French flag marked what is known in France as Le Fête Nationale where in 1790 an uprising and storming of the Bastille led to the reconciliation of the people and the formation of what is today’s modern country.

The flag raising has become an annual tradition put together by the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in celebration of Bastille Day (July 14^th) in HCM City, putting a Vietnamese footprint on one of the biggest holidays in France.

“We take immense pride in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate important occasions in the lives of our residents and to mark their ancestry and heritage”, said Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, Chairwoman of the Association. “Today is one of those occasions.”

“The French community and their friends have assembled here today to mark their commitment in enhancing the business, cultural and social life of this city and to honour the shared values that are the unshakable foundation of the friendship between France and Vietnam,” Ms. Dung added.

Ms. Dung was joined at the event by Consul General Emmanuel Ly-Batallan.

Mr. Batallan also brought a special message. “I am very happy to be among you here today celebrating one of the most important days for all the French, he said. Ho Chi Minh City represents one of the most important communities of French ex-patriots in the world.”

“The success of the French-Vietnamese relationship is largely due to the dedication of this community,” he added./.

Translated by Minh Chau