Friendship meeting to celebrate 158th anniversary of Canada's National Day in Ho Chi Minh City

On July 2, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations in collaboration with the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City organized a meeting to celebrate the 158th anniversary of Canada's National Day (July 1, 1867 - July 1, 2025). The event is an opportunity to look back on the development of Vietnam-Canada relations in many fields, while also contributing to promoting people-to-people exchanges and deepening the friendly relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Nguyen The Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnam - Canada Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the Vietnam - Canada relationship has continuously developed steadily, substantially and effectively in many fields such as politics , diplomacy, trade, investment, development cooperation, education and people-to-people exchange.

Currently, Canada is Vietnam's second largest trading partner in the Americas, while Vietnam is Canada's largest trading partner in ASEAN and is among Canada's top 40 trading partners in the Indo- Pacific region.

Meeting to celebrate Canada's 158th National Day in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations)

According to Ms. Nguyen The Thanh, Canada is currently a popular destination for Vietnamese students, with about 20,000 international students studying at educational institutions in this country. The Vietnamese community in Canada, with about 275,000 people, has been deeply integrated, actively contributing to the economic , cultural and social life of the host country, and at the same time becoming a sustainable humanitarian bridge between the two countries.

Delegates take a souvenir photo at the meeting. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations)

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Annie Dube, Consul General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that the role of G7 Chair in 2025 is an opportunity for Canada to promote common goals such as protecting communities, enhancing energy security, accelerating digital transformation and strengthening partnerships. She said that Canada is implementing the Indo-Pacific Strategy to strengthen cooperation with allies and trade partners, towards shared prosperity and global cooperation.

Within the framework of this strategy, Canada is conducting trade negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Vietnam is an important partner.

“Our world is deeply interconnected,” Ms. Annie Dube concluded her speech. “And we are all better when we work together.”

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hop-mat-huu-nghi-ky-niem-158-nam-quoc-khanh-canada-tai-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-214601.html