The 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Czech diplomatic relations was celebrated February 2 at Ho Chi Minh City’s Hoa Vien Brauhaus. 

Diplomatic representatives, city officials, Czech businessmen and students were among those who attended the event.

Ngo Hong Chuyen, honorary consul of the Czech Republic in HCMC, delivers a speech at a reception on Feb. 2 (Photo: Thuy Vu)

At the reception, Director of the HCMC Department of Foreign Affairs, Tran Quang Dung, on behalf of HCMC authorities, expressed that although Vietnam and the Czech Republic are thousands of kilometers away from each other, they retain a close relationship.

Also during the event, Vietnamese former students who studied in Czechoslovakia many years ago, performed Czech and Vietnamese songs.  

The two countries enjoy friendly cooperation in various fields, which has expanded and developed continuously. Economic cooperation in particular has moved forward over the past few years.

Czech Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Michal Kral, said he believes the two nations’ amicable relationship will continue into the future.

The official office of Czechoslovakia in Hanoi was formally opened on December 30, 1954 and one year later, the Embassy of Vietnam was set up in Prague.

At present, over 60,000 Vietnamese are living and working in the Czech Republic, contributing to the development of the two nations.

Ngo Hong Chuyen, honorary consul of the Czech Republic in HCMC and owner of Hoa Vien Brauhaus, thanked honored guests for their participation in celebrating the anniversary.

He added that he hoped Hoa Vien Brauhaus would become a special gathering place for Czech-Vietnam businessmen and students in Vietnam.

Mr. Chuyen said that both the Government and citizens are very proud to be friends. Sixty years have passed with many political as well as social changes, but the special relationship between the two countries has retained a deep strength, he said.