Mr Thao delivered the message at a pre-Tet meeting for foreign ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations on February 5.

He thanked the diplomats for their friendship and valuable cooperation with the capital city over the years and hoped they would continue to help build a more civilized and modern Hanoi.

On behalf of the foreign diplomats, Moroccan Ambassador El Houcine Fardani congratulated Vietnam on successfully implementing socio-economic development projects and achieving a high economic growth rate despite the global economic recession in 2009.

These achievements have helped Vietnam build up the international community’s trust, the ambassador said, stressing that the country has played an active role in the region and the world.

He said he believes that Vietnam will fulfil its duties as ASEAN Chair in 2010 and wished the Vietnamese people peace, prosperity, happiness and success.