The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) held a gathering on July 2 to mark Canada Day (July 1, 1867–July 1, 2025), celebrating the friendship between the two countries.

 In her congratulatory remarks, Nguyen The Thanh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam–Canada Friendship Association, noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the Vietnam–Canada relationship has continued to grow steadily, substantively and effectively across various fields including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, development cooperation, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges. In November 2017, the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership.

In terms of economic and trade relations, Canada is currently Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner in the Americas. Conversely, Vietnam is Canada’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and one of Canada’s top 40 trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region. These outcomes show the great cooperation potential between the two economies as well as the reliable and productive relationship between their business communities.

Canada is also a favored destination for Vietnamese students, with around 20,000 currently studying at Canadian educational institutions. The Vietnamese community in Canada, numbering approximately 275,000, is well integrated and actively contributes to local economic, cultural, and social life, serving as a lasting and humanistic bridge between the two nations.

Amid the positive momentum in bilateral relations, Nguyen The Thanh expressed hope that HUFO would continue to receive strong cooperation from Canadian partners, including the Consulate General, friendship organizations, business associations, and non-governmental organizations. Such collaboration is expected to enhance multi-sectoral cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, while further strengthening the bond between the people of Ho Chi Minh City and Canada.

Annie Dube, Consul General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City, thanked HUFO for organizing this meaningful event, which provided an opportunity for "Vietnamese friends of Canada" and "Canadian friends of Vietnam" to connect, contributing to the promotion of bilateral friendship  as well as Vietnam–Canada relations.

She affirmed that the activities of Canada’s diplomatic missions in Vietnam are part of Canada's broader effort to reinforce its ties with trusted allies, trading partners, development partners, and global collaborators, from government to civil society, to promote shared prosperity and cooperation worldwide. These efforts include advancing the Indo-Pacific Strategy and engaging in trade negotiations with ASEAN, of which Vietnam is a member.

Consul General Annie Dube expressed her pride in Canada’s multiculturalism, solidarity, and connectivity. Marking Canada Day, she remarked that the nation’s past has shaped its identity, today’s challenges offer an opportunity for strength and renewal, and working together can open a path toward a more stable and prosperous future.

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