The get-togther was joined in by diplomatic corps, friendship associations with Vietnam, French and international friends, and a large crowd of overseas Vietnamese (OV).
In his address, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thiep extended his best wishes to the OV community in France on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2020.
He recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s journey in seek of methods to achieve national salvation, from his stay in France to the formation of the CPV in 1930, which led Vietnam’s past revolution to an overall success and continues to lead the country to significant achievements in the cause of renovation, development and international integration.
On the occasion, Thiep thanked the Paris authorities for enabling the organisation of Vietnam’s Tet celebration at the City Hall, while expressing gratitude to the authorities and people of Paris for their contributions to the enhancement of Vietnam-France relations.
The ambassador touched on the achievements attained by Vietnam in the past year, including a GDP growth rate of 7.02%, a remarkable decline in public debt and a trade surplus for the fourth consecutive year.
2019 also marked the expansion of Vietnam’s international cooperation, with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) taking effect and the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) being officially signed. Vietnam and France continued to exchange high-level visits, including the visits to France made by Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and permanent member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong.
As for the Vietnamese community in France, 2019 was marked with many important events, including the 100th anniversary of the overseas Vietnamese patriotic movement and the Association of Vietnamese People in France – the oldest organisation of Vietnamese people overseas, then came the inaugural Vietnam Global Leaders Forum, which aimed to connect young Vietnamese intellects worldwide to contribute to the country’s development.
2020 is a transitional year for Vietnam as the country assumes the role of ASEAN Chair and non-permanent of the UN Security Council. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for Vietnam to enhance its position in the international arena and to strengthen Vietnam-France cooperation in international and regional organisations, Thiep said.
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Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo speaks at the ceremony.
On behalf of the Paris government, Mayor Anne Hidalgo voiced her pleasure at participating in Vietnam’s Tet celebration at the City Hall, applauding the significant contributions of overseas Vietnamese to the values and integration of France and Paris.
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A performance of Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) at the ceremony.
In the festive atmosphere, overseas Vietnamese and French people extended best wishes of peace, health, success and prosperity, and together enjoyed traditional art performances and dishes of Vietnam.
