Italy-Vietnam: Hanoi celebrates 45 years of diplomatic relations

Hanoi - On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Italy-Vietnam diplomatic ties in March 2018, the Italian Embassy in Vietnam is planning a special event in Hanoi to celebrate this important milestone in bilateral relations, said Italian Ambassador to Vietnam, Cecilia Piccioni, to Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung. During a working session with the Vietnamese Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee on January 31, the Ambassador asked for support from Hanoi’s administration so that the celebration will be a success. Accordingly, a fashion show featuring works by Italian designers and Vietnamese silk-making artisans will be held at the Dien Hong flower garden in Hanoi’s centre. The Ambassador expressed her hope that the show will create an special impression on local Vietnamese in the way that the Italian cultural week in Hanoi did last November. Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung pledged coordination with the Italian Embassy for the successful organisation of the special event. The official also talked about his intention to invite an Italian ship building company to Hanoi to help the city seek a suitable way to develop tourism. In November 2017, the "Italy-ASEAN Week" program in Hanoi showcased in full spectrum the best of the Italian lifestyle, bringing Italian culture closer than ever to the Vietnamese public. The Italian-ASEAN week was co-organised by Italian Embassy in Vietnam, Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development, Italian Trade Agency and Uni-Italia. Italy was among the first Western European countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, on 23rd March 1973. Since then, bilateral relations have experienced steady intensification, especially since 2013, on the occasion of the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of bilateral relations, a strategic partnership agreement was signed in Rome, which has expanded the range of possibilities of Italy-Vietnam collaboration in all fields.