On October 9, State President Nguyen Minh Triet received the mayor of Prague, Pavel Ben on his visit to Vietnam for the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Despite being so far apart, Hanoi and Prague have many similarities particularly they are both ancient capitals with long-standing cultural traditions.

One million overseas Vietnamese are now living in Prague and have been very successful in business, proving Vietnam’s development. Apart from cooperation in trade and investment, Prague is ready to work with Vietnam, particularly Hanoi, using its areas of strength such as education and urban management.

President Triet thanked the Prague mayor as well as the Czech Republic Government for facilitating the Vietnamese nationals in their country and said bilateral relations are expanding to different fields. The two countries are trying to accelerate a direct Hanoi-Prague air route which will contribute to boosting bilateral cooperation, Mr Triet noted.