“The young generation should be tasked to promote fine bilateral relations which have been built up over the past 60 years,” said Hungarian Minister Counselor to Vietnam, Varaljai Marton, at a ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Hungary diplomatic ties in Ho Chi Minh City on February 3. 

He said that in addition to US$35 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA), Hungary will continue offering Vietnam some 500,000 euros each year to educate students in natural sciences, health care, agriculture and technology. 

On the occasion, Marton highlighted Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the region and in the world as well as the nation’s efforts to build a market economy and a new legal foundation to facilitate investment and international economic cooperation. 

Le Minh Triet, Chairman of the municipal Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association, thanked Hungary for helping Vietnam train over 4,000 people and expressed his hope the relationship would continue expanding to all fields, bringing about practical benefits for the two nations. 

Vietnam-Hungary trade grew by 34.5 percent annually in the 2005-2007 period, hitting a record US$100 million in 2008. Hungary mostly imported agricultural products, leather shoes, utensils and electronics from Vietnam. Hungarian businesses are now focused on tourism, information technology, healthcare, real estate, waste treatment and environment protection projects in Vietnam.