Vietnamese Embassy presents face masks to French friends

The Vietnamese Embassy presents face masks to French friends (Photo: vov.vn)

At the hand-over ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Thiep, on behalf of the State of Vietnam, sponsored units, presented nearly 270,000 face masks and many pieces of protective equipment and medical supplies to the local authorities, associations and hospitals in France. On behalf of the administration and people of Val-de-Marne province, President of Val-de-Marne provincial Council Christian Favier was very touched to receive 50,000 medical face masks from Vietnam’s Yen Bai province.

“I know that in Vietnam, anti-virus measures have been implemented very effectively. However, in France, the situation is still very serious. We still record thousands and thousands of deaths. Thanks to these face masks, we can help protect our people more. We are very moved by the solidarity of the Vietnamese people towards the French people,” said Mr. Christian Favier.

Among about four tons of medical supplies awarded by Vietnamese partners, 51,000 medical face masks are donated by the Vietnam - France Friendship and Cooperation Association to the France - Vietnam Friendship Association. On behalf of the association, Mr. Gérard Daviot, President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association, received this gift from Vietnamese friends. He shared that he was present in Vietnam during the stage the pandemic newly appeared in the country, and was impressed by the strategy that Vietnam has implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“When I was in Vietnam, decisions were made immediately. Firstly, cancellation of all public events, then wearing face masks was made compulsory. Moreover, when a person is suspected to have contracted the pandemic, it is immediately necessary to know who the person met and all these people must be tested or quarantined. In addition, there is the isolation of an entire village. On March 11th, I returned home. When I went to the airport, I have experienced medical examinations three times, but when I arrived at Charles De Gaule airport, there were no control measures,” said Mr. Gérard Daviot.

At the ceremony, Clermont Ferrand Hospital and Limoges Hospital in France received 32,000 medical face masks donated by Hanoi city. Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security also sent 10,000 masks to present to the French Ministry of Interior, besides tens of thousands of face masks and other medical supplies awarded by state organizations, associations and individuals in Vietnam to hospitals and organizations in France.

Earlier on May 8th, the Vietnamese Embassy presented tens of thousands of face masks to partners such as French-Vietnamese Friendship Parliamentary Groups at the Senate and the French National Assembly and local administrations of Paris, Montreuil, Choisy-le-Roi cities./.