Italy, a loyal and faithful friend of Vietnam

Over the past half century, on the solid foundation of friendship, Vietnam and Italy have increasingly become important partners in all fields, cooperating closely both bilaterally and multilaterally.

President Vo Van Thuong and his wife, along with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, attended the concert celebrating 50 years of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic relations on the evening of July 26, 2023 (Source: VNA)

On the evening of December 3, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations coordinated with the Italian Embassy in Vietnam to organize the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Italy diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023).

Attending the event were leaders of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, representatives of Vietnamese departments, ministries, branches, agencies and organizations, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta; diplomatic staff, individuals, Italian business community; ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic corps in Hanoi .

Vietnam and Italy officially established diplomatic relations on March 23, 1973. The Vietnam-Italy friendship has a long tradition, constantly cultivated by generations of leaders and people of the two countries. Over half a century, on the solid foundation of friendship, Vietnam and Italy have increasingly become important partners of each other in all fields, cooperating closely both bilaterally and multilaterally.

The upgrading of diplomatic relations to Strategic Partnership (January 2013) is a historic step, opening an important journey in the relationship between the two countries, promoting the development of cooperation between Vietnam and Italy in a deep, comprehensive, effective and sustainable manner.

At the ceremony, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son affirmed that Italy is an important partner, a loyal and faithful friend of the Vietnamese people. People-to-people exchange is a bright spot in the relationship between the two countries, a bridge, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding, bringing the two countries closer together.

Delegates attend the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic relations organized by the Italian Embassy in Hanoi, March 23, 2023. (Source: VGP)

Most recently, in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, Italy has supported Vietnam with nearly 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine; the Vietnamese Government and people have supported Italy with medical masks. The two countries have shared in difficult times, helping their people overcome the pandemic together.

In order for the relationship between the two countries to develop positively, both in breadth and depth, Mr. Phan Anh Son said that the two sides need to continue to attach importance to nurturing the foundation of the cooperative relationship, which is the very good, profound, strong and extremely valuable traditional friendship that many generations of leaders and people of the two countries have worked hard to cultivate.

“The event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership today is an opportunity to look back at the development of the relationship between the two countries, review the good feelings of the two peoples over the past half century, and work towards a good and mutually beneficial cooperative relationship between the two sides in the coming time,” emphasized President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son.

Mr. Phan Anh Son said that in the coming time, the Vietnam - Italy Friendship Association will continue to proactively and actively cooperate closely with Italian partners and organizations to carry out diverse people-to-people diplomacy activities to promote cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Della Seta emphasized that throughout 2023, the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations through a series of rich programs including cultural events and initiatives as well as high-level visits throughout the year. The highlight of this year's commemorative activities is the official visit to Italy in July 2023 by Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong. During the visit, the two countries issued a Joint Statement on strengthening the Vietnam-Italy Strategic Partnership.

At the Ceremony, delegates enjoyed a special art program, with performances by Vietnamese and Italian artists.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/italy-mot-nguoi-ban-tinh-nghia-thuy-chung-cua-viet-nam-252484.html