Mr Triet thanked Mayor Tschaeppaet for his visit and expressed his delight at the fine development of the friendship between Vietnam and Switzerland as well as between localities in both countries. He praised the cooperation agreement signed between Bern and Hanoi in the fields of economics, urban management, environmental protection, tourism and sports.

Mayor Tschaeppaet said that Bern and Hanoi have many similarities in history and culture and that Swiss people are longing to welcome President when he visits Switzerland in May.

Despite its rapid urbanisation, Hanoi still retains its old and original architecture. Bern is willing to share experience and help Hanoi to deal with arising issues related to urban management, Mr Tschaeppaet emphasised.