The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association on June 19^th co-organised a ceremony to mark the 120^th Independence Day of the Philippines (June 12^th).

At the ceremony to celebrate the 120^th Independence Day of the Philippines held in HCM City on June 19^th.

President of the HCM City Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association Phan Thi Hong Xuan congratulated the Philippine people on their achievements in national construction and development.

She noted that since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976, Vietnam and the Philippines have strengthened cooperation in different fields such as economy, culture, trade and education.

The two countries have also worked together to promote solidarity within and maintained the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in major issues related to security and interests of each country and the region, she added.

Xuan also noted that the Philippines successfully hosted activities celebrating the 50^th founding anniversary of ASEAN, helping to enhance the bloc’s position in the international arena.

Over the past years, the HCM City Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association has joined hands with the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in the city to hold many cultural exchanges and educational seminars between schools, thus consolidating the friendship between people of Vietnam and the Philippines, she said.

Xuan expressed her belief that HCM City and the Philippines will further promote comprehensive cooperation by exchanging delegations and sharing experience in economic development, education, English training, tourism and cultural exchanges.

For his part, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Noel Servigon expressed his thanks to the VPFA for hosting the celebration, lauding the achievements of the bilateral friendship and cooperation and affirming his belief that the two countries still hold potential to further enhance cooperative relations.

The HCM City Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association needs to step up activities to strengthen cooperation between people of the two countries, especially in economy, trade, investment, education and training, he added./.

VNF