From Vietnam’s side, also joining the meeting was the Vice-Secretariat of the Vietnam - UK Friendship Association Hoang Le Thuy Duong. From the UK side, there were representatives of the UK Embassy in Vietnam, Attaché for Agriculture, Beverages and Food Matthew Albon-Crouch, and Counselor for Politics and Development Ruth Turner.
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| Vice President - General Secretary of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son (right) met with Former British Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Kent, Chairman of the Scotch Whiskey Association, Chairman of the Vietnam-UK Network (VUKN) on August 9 in Hanoi (Photo: Thu Ha). |
At the meeting, VUKN Chairman Kent said that the year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of VUKN’s establishment. Since 2013, VUKN has gathered many organizations and individuals in the UK to promote cooperation between the two countries in many fields, including trade, education, communication, and culture, contributing to enhancing understanding and friendship between the two peoples of all levels. This year, VUKN organizes a series of special commemorative activities in the UK such as an upcoming fundraising concert in London to celebrate this special anniversary.
The host said that he hoped that VUFO and VUKN would exchange information more actively and seek cooperation opportunities in promoting people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries in the coming time.
In response, the guest reaffirmed that improving mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries is an important goal of VUKN. There is much potential for cooperation, said Mark Kent, especially to increase cultural exchanges and to introduce strong development in all aspects of modern Vietnamese life, economy, and society to people living in the UK.
Both sides also discussed exciting events that will be held in Vietnam to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - UK diplomatic relations such as the UK Festival 2023 in September by the British Embassy in Hanoi, the plan to opening a branch of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics in the UK.
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| The Vietnamese and British delegates at the meeting (Photo: Thu Ha). |
Regarding people-to-people exchange opportunities, Mark Kent proposed that VUFO will support VUKN’s goal to bring educational benefits to more young Vietnamese people. These programs will also take advantage of technology and social networks to reach the students in big cities and rural areas of Vietnam as well.
In response, the host said VUFO supports the above goals and will connect the VUKN with local friendship organizations throughout the country for further discussion. Meanwhile, using experiences in cooperating with foreign NGOs in many educational programs, VUFO officials will provide more information with VUKN regularly in the upcoming time.
Q.Hoa t.h / Vietnamtimes
