At the celebration in Hong Kong (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Consul General Tran Thanh Huan informed attendees of Vietnam’s socio-economic development as well as diplomatic achievements in 2018, saying they were significantly contributed to by Vietnamese expatriates worldwide, including those in Hong Kong.

The Vietnamese Party and Government attach much importance to overseas Vietnamese’s role in national construction and protection, he said.

He highlighted the Vietnam-Hong Kong ties, saying the two economies have enjoyed thriving relations over the years, with two-way trade reaching 19.8 billion USD in 2018, up 9.4 percent from the previous year. Hong Kong is the 6th largest investor in Vietnam, with 19.3 billion USD in 1,401 projects in the Southeast Asian country.

The two sides joined hands to organise various economic-trade activities, and worked to handle immigration issues, he said, adding that Hong Kong has exempted Vietnamese diplomatic and official passport holders from visa requirements, and will consider providing more favourable conditions to grant visas to Vietnamese visitors.

Earlier, the Vietnamese Consulate General held a similar celebration in Macau Special Administrative Region on January 19, during which Huan highlighted the Vietnamese expats’ contributions to building their homeland into a more prosperous nation.

At the celebrations, Huan presented certificates of merit to inpidual, honouring their efforts to develop the Vietnamese communities in the Hong Kong and Macau.

VNF ( VNA )