Vietnam marks 21st anniversary of ties with Korea

An outstanding distinction of the reception from other diplomatic functions was the extremely beautiful Aodai worn by the shapely young ladies of Vietnam lining up both sides of the entrance to the venue greeting the incoming guests and escorting them to the cloak room.

It appeared to be the first time the host had such a regard for the guests politely showing them to the cloak room.

There were many guests from the Korean society and the international community as well as ambassadors from the Diplomatic Corps. They included former Speaker Lee Man-sup of the National Assembly, Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post, Deputy Editor Ik-Kyung Chang of Korea Business News TV, Chairman Choi Young-joo of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association, former Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Cho Wonil and former Admiral Young-Kwan Kim of the Korean Navy.

From the diplomatic community came foreign mission chiefs and other senior diplomats who included Ambassadors Duishonkul Chotonovof Kyrgyzstan, Khamla Xayachack of the Lao Republic and Ganbold Baasanjav of Mongolia.

There were special performances by a lady musician who played on what looked like a traditional Korean 12-stringed zither while a man played on another traditional Vietnamese stringed musical instrument. They both presented unique Vietnamese melodies which had the exotic beauty and charm.

Speaking to the guests, Ambassador Chi of Vietnam said that Vietnam and Korea established diplomatic relations on Dec. 22, 1992 and that over the past 21 years and more the bilateral relations have achieved magnificent developments in all fields not only becoming cooperative and strategic partners of each other but also partners of connection with more than 60,000 Vietnamese and Korean bridges and grooms.

He said: “I am delighted to attend this reception. I have been newly accredited to Korea as the ambassador of Vietnam and the year 2013 is a meaningful year for us. In September 2013, President Park Geun-hye paid a state visit to Vietnam contributing to consolidating our bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership.”

Then he said that Vietnam has achieved a high rate of growth in all fields and there has been significant rise in consumption by the Vietnamese people producing a driving force for the economic development.

“I must admit,” said Ambassador Chi, “that all the guests here have made contributions to the development of relationship between Vietnam and Korea.

Ambassador Chi concluded his welcome address by saying, “It is my conviction that our meeting today will further consolidate the Vietnam-Korea friendship. We are at the close of 2013 and I hope to see you all again in the New Year.”