Nearly 200 Vietnamese nationals from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver cities, and Vietnamese students studying in Canada attended the ceremony.

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Hung reviewed major events in relations between Vietnam and Canada, which he said are progressing remarkably. Two-way trade last year reached US$1.3 billion, and Canada is currently Vietnam’s 10^th largest foreign investor with a total capitalization of US$4.2 billion. The two countries also increased cooperation in education, labour and employment.

He affirmed that these achievements were partly attributed to efforts by overseas Vietnamese in Canada, who have made practical contributions to the homeland’s development over the years.

Participants were treated to art performances and traditional dishes.

On this occasion, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has cabled a message of greetings to the Embassy and said the friendship and effective cooperation between the two countries have grown and flourished, helping expand cultural and trade exchanges.