(VNF) - A delegation of the Argentina-Vietnam Cultural Institute (Instituto de Cultura Argentino Vietnamita - ICAV), led by its President Ms. Poldi Maria Sosa Schmidt, had a meeting with Vice President in-charge and General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization (VUFO), Mr. Don Tuan Phong in Hanoi on March 22^nd.

At the meeting.

At the meeting, Mr. Don Tuan Phong welcomed Ms. Poldi Sosa Schmidt and the delegates who had a special visit to Vietnam. He emphasized the support and help of Argentinian people for Vietnam in war as well as in the reconstruction process and building the country today.

He stressed trade between Vietnam and Argentina has gained momentum in recent years. Trade value Argentina between Vietnam exceeding USD 3 billion in 2016. In 2015, two-way trade hit more than USD 2.54 billion, up 27 per cent from 2014.

At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to ICAV for its people-to-people diplomacy and cultural exchange with Vietnam over the past 20 years, especially its support for the activities of VUFO.

The VUFO Vice President said the ICAV delegation’s visit contributes to strengthening the cooperation between Vietnam and Argentina, adding that culture is a bridge for the friendship among nations in the world.

He expressed his hope that ICAV would continue to work as a bridge for Vietnam to establish relations with partners in Argentina and other South American countries.

Mr. Don Tuan Phong and ICAV delegation pose for a photo.

ICAV President Poldi Sosa Schmidt said the visit aims at sharing experience in laws, literature and education with Vietnamese colleagues. The delegation also hopes to gain a better understanding of Vietnam’s economic development policies in the current situation.

The Argentinian delegates all emphasised the need to increase activities such as exhibitions, talks and cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

During ICAV delegation’s visit to Vietnam until March 28^th, they are scheduled to visit the National Hospital of Traditional Medicine in Hanoi, Hanoi Friendship Hospital and Vietnam Friendship Village in Van Canh to enhance understanding, hold more friendship activities and foster cooperative ties in culture, education, science, technology, health care and sports.

Many special activities introducing Vietnam and Argentinean culture, including shows of Ao dai (Vietnam traditional long dress), fashion shows, tourism fairs, traditional dance, theatre and music performances, as well as culinary art and Vietnamese talk shows, film screenings, seminars has been conducted by ICAV over the past years.

Ms. Sosa started a movement to support Vietnam during the U.S. war from 1967. She was granted the Friendship Medal by former President Tran Duc Luong during his visit to Argentina in November, 2004./.

Minh Phuong