On the evening of September 11, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-UK Friendship Association coordinated with the British Embassy in Hanoi to organize a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United Kingdom (September 11, 1973 - September 11, 2023).

The British Royal Military Band performs at the Hanoi Opera House. (Photo: An Dang)

Speaking here, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that since officially establishing diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam and the UK have developed a strong, effective and dynamic partnership in all areas of cooperation.

The establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in 2010 and the “Joint Statement on the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership” in 2020 demonstrated the strong vision and commitment of the two governments.

The UK is currently one of Vietnam’s most important strategic partners. The two countries regularly maintain dialogue and exchange mechanisms at high levels. Most recently in May this year, President Vo Van Thuong visited the UK to attend the coronation of King Charles III.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu speaks at the event. (Photo: An Dang)

The two countries also witnessed remarkable progress in economic cooperation, an important pillar in bilateral relations, said the Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

By 2022, two-way trade will reach 6.9 billion USD, making the UK Vietnam's third largest trading partner in Europe and Vietnam's 9th largest export market in the world.

In 2020, Vietnam and the UK signed the Vietnam-UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). The UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) this year also contributes to increasing the role of the trade alliance, bringing the bloc's GDP to 14,000 billion USD and will bring opportunities for Vietnam-UK bilateral trade to reach the target of 10 billion USD.

Besides, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized the cooperative relationship between the two countries in the fields of education, handling energy security issues, climate change and people-to-people exchange.

Delegates attending the event. (Photo: An Dang)

With the achievements over the past 50 years, the Deputy Minister believes that the Vietnam-UK relationship will continue to develop and reach further in all areas. He recalled the words of King Charles III in his telegram to President Vo Van Thuong on the occasion of Vietnam's National Day on September 2 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries: "Wishing to continue the warm friendship and strong partnership between the two countries in these challenging times".

At the event, Ambassador of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to Vietnam Iain Frew affirmed: "Today, we celebrate not just one but three historical milestones: 50 years since the UK and Vietnam established diplomatic relations; 30 years of the British Council operating in Vietnam and 30 years since the first Chevening Scholars left Vietnam to study in the UK."

Ambassador of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Vietnam Iain Frew speaks. (Photo: An Dang)

According to Ambassador Iain Frew, much has changed since the UK and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1973. Vietnam has gone through an impressive journey of economic development and international integration, to which the UK is proud to have played a significant part.

Notably, 13 years after agreeing to elevate the relationship to a Strategic Partnership, the UK and Vietnam are working together to address important global issues, including climate change. The two countries have become partners in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The Ambassador assessed that the two countries still have great potential for cooperation in the fields of healthcare, renewable energy, investment and business; at the same time, he pledged to work with the people of the two countries to preserve and develop a strong and increasingly strong bond over time.

Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son speaks. (Photo: An Dang)

Sharing at the ceremony, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son said that, along with the Party's foreign affairs and State diplomacy activities, over the past half century, many activities of peace, solidarity, friendship, exchange and people-to-people cooperation between Vietnam and the UK have been actively implemented in many diverse forms, with rich content such as information sharing meetings, rallies to celebrate major holidays of the two countries...

Mr. Phan Anh Son emphasized that people-to-people diplomacy activities between the two countries have made practical contributions to enhancing understanding, promoting cooperation in various fields, creating a solid foundation for the increasingly brilliant development of bilateral relations.

The Sun Symphony Orchestra of England performs. (Photo: An Dang)

At the event, delegates enjoyed a special art program with folk and modern music performed by talented artists and orchestras from the two countries.

The audience at the Hanoi Opera House was delighted to hear the British Royal Military Band play Vietnamese folk songs such as Ly Cay Da, Di Xay ... and the Military Band of the Military University of Culture and Arts performed famous British works such as Autumn by MV King, Hiplipp II by Person.

Traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai performance. (Photo: Le An)

The two countries' military bands also performed the Northern folk song Trong Com and Jack Gale's A Lennon and McCartney Suite .

The art program also featured performances by the Sun Symphony Orchestra and the Green Wind Choir. Singer Ha Le and models who are former students studying in the UK showcased the Ao Dai collection of the Magonn fashion house.