Speaking at the function, Chairman of the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association, Luong Van Ly praised the friendly relations of the two neighbouring countries, fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and former Indonesian President Sukarno.

Vietnam always regards Indonesia as its important strategic partner in the region, and wants to boost the cooperation and friendly relations with the country within the regional and international cooperation framework, said Mr Ly.

Annual two-way trade turnover between the two countries reaches more than US$2 billion. During the 2001-2009 period, Vietnam’s exports to Indonesia soared by 26 percent/year while Indonesia’s exports to Vietnam also increased by 30 percent.

Both sides have cooperated in resolving regional and international issues and organised cultural and sports exchange programmes to further strengthen their friendship. Every year, Indonesia provides Vietnam with short-term, mid-term and long-term scholarships for language and culture.

In his speech, Indonesian Consul General Bambang Tarsanto highlighted the close-knit relationship between the two countries as saying that as ASEAN members, Vietnam and Indonesia share the same views on forming an ASEAN community and making positive contributions to peace, security, stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia as well as in the Asia Pacific region and the world.