The event was co-organized by the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam – Canada Friendship Association, the Sharing Group and the Tuải Tre newspaper.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, affirmed that in the past few years, Vietnam-Canada bilateral relations have made great progress. Canada has provided practical assistance to Vietnam – including with male and female students – since the years when Vietnam was still in the throes of the last century.
Mr. Phan Van Mai, Mr. Behzah Babakhani and Canadian artisans created the iconic Inukshuk statue in celebration of the “Golden Milestone” of 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Canada.
Many areas and regions of Vietnam have received support from Canada through projects on capital, agricultural technology – rural – adaptation to climate change. The above cooperation has gradually spread and created momentum for other areas of cooperation, especially since the two countries officially upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2017.
Currently, Vietnam is Canada’s largest trading partner in ASEAN, the amount of investment capital from Canada is increasing and will certainly increase in the near future as the bilateral cooperation environment becomes more open. This platform will help in the goal of increasing two-way cooperation. The trade turnover will reach from USD 7 billion to USD 10 billion in the near future,” said Mr. Phan Van Mai.
Distinguished students receive commemorative gifts from the President of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City
The chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee also said that along with economic and commercial activities, there are also cultural, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
250,000 Vietnamese Canadians living and working in Canada; In Ho Chi Minh City, the growth of Canadian businesses is contributing to the development of the city, promoting Vietnam-Canada relations in general and Ho Chi Minh City-Canada in particular.
Mr. Phan Van Mai gave flowers to Mr. Behza Babakhani in celebration
In response, Consul General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City Behza Babakhani said that he hoped that like the past 50 years, the next 50 years would be a memorable milestone for the relations between the two countries. He emphasized that Canada is a top 10 export market for Vietnam, and that in Ho Chi Minh City, there is a strong Canadian community studying and living.
On this occasion, the Canadian side also inaugurated and presented the Inukshuk emblem to mark the “golden milestone” in diplomatic relations between the two countries. The statue is located in the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, which is also where the festivities took place on the morning of 20 August.
Behzah Babakhani, Consul General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City, explains the Inukshuk symbol
Mr. Behza Babakhani also named a baby hippo born 10 days ago at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden “Canada” to celebrate this memorable achievement.
Baby hippo “Canada” emerged from the water in a rare moment on the morning of August 20, when it was christened by the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City.
Within the framework of the program, 1,400 gifts were also given to 1,000 underprivileged children in Ho Chi Minh City, 200 in An Giang and 200 in Long An, so that they can enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival and prepare for the new school year. Can
In addition, 50 outstanding and disadvantaged students received a share of scholarships and 50 outstanding students in various fields – including Vietnamese and Canadian nationals – were given friendship gifts. All the students participating in the festival also visited the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden within the framework of the event.
Some more pictures of the celebration:
