While receiving ambassador Nguyen Van Dao in Buenos Aires on August 18, Julio Cobos, who is also President of the Senate, underscored the importance of expanding the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, including their legislative bodies.

He said he is interested in Vietnam’s distinctive culture, traditional customs and culinary arts.

Ambassador Dao noted with satisfaction the strong development of Vietnam-Argentina relations in recent years, especially their robust trade, increasing from just US$20 million in 1999 to US$650 million in 2009.

Despite geographical distance and cultural differences, bilateral relations have fared well in politics, diplomacy, economics and culture through the exchange of high-level visits. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited Argentina last April, and President Cristina Fernández is scheduled to visit Vietnam this November.