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| Delegates at the newly inaugurated Inukshuk statue (Photo: VNA) |
On August 20, the Union of Friendship Organizations of Ho Chi Minh City (HUFO) and the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City coordinated with a number of units to organize a program to celebrate the “Golden milestone” and inauguration of Inukshuk statue on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Canada (1973-2023).
This was a practical activity to contribute to consolidating and enhancing the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples of Vietnam and Canada.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai, emphasized that since Vietnam and Canada officially established diplomatic relations half a century ago, bilateral relations have made great strides, especially since the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2017.
Currently, Vietnam is Canada's largest trading partner in ASEAN, with an increasing amount of investment capital from Canada. The goal of increasing two-way trade turnover to USD10 billion will soon become a reality. Along with economic-commercial activities, vibrant exchange of culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges have been reported.
Appreciating the significance of the "Golden Milestone" program, one of many activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Phan Van Mai shared that this was an opportunity for the Canadian community living in the city to exchange. This was also a humane activity, when the Organizing Committee and the participants join hands to take care of 1,400 disadvantaged children to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival and prepare for the first day of school.
Thanking the Consulate General of Canada for awarding the Inukshuk statue to Ho Chi Minh City, he said that this was a very meaningful and practical cultural exchange activity to help people of the two countries learn about their respective cultures, thereby enhancing solidarity, friendship and cooperation.
At the "Golden Milestone" program, the Organizing Committee awarded 50 scholarships and gifts (VND2 million each) to poor students with excellent academic results; and gave gifts worth VND1 million each to 50 typical Vietnamese and Canadian students in various fields.
The Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association coordinated with units and sponsors to give gifts worth VND1.5 million each to 1,400 students in extremely difficult circumstances in Ho Chi Minh City, Long An and An Giang provinces, helping them go to school and enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Inukshuk statue donated by the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City to Ho Chi Minh City is located in the Botanical Garden, built by a Canadian artist, showing the direction or friendship, the connection together in a sustainable way./.