Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Aug 31, 2025 (BSS) -Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyen Manh Cuong today said aviation authorities of Bangladesh and Vietnam are working closely to launch the first direct flight between Dhaka and Hanoi within this year.

"To my belief, with the establishment of the first direct flight, our partnership will continue flourishing and greatly contribute to the prosperity of both countries," he said while addressing a reception at a city hotel marking the 80th Vietnamese National Day.

Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the growing relations between the two friendly countries. 

The event was attended by diplomats stationed in Dhaka, business leaders, civil society members and media representatives.

The Vietnamese envoy underscored the need to promote greater people-to-people contact in order to deepen and broaden the traditional friendship in the coming days.

"The government and people of Vietnam always keep in our hearts and greatly value the invaluable support that the government and people of Bangladesh have extended to Vietnam from the past to the present," he said.

On trade and investment, Ambassador Cuong said bilateral exchanges are witnessing a steady upward trend, with annual trade volumes consistently surpassing US$1 billion in recent years. 

He noted that Bangladesh and Vietnam share many similarities in their national development journeys, enabling them to learn from each other and extend mutual support.

The envoy recalled over five decades of traditional friendship, marked by regular delegation exchanges and close cooperation at bilateral and multilateral forums. 

Both countries, he said, have always supported each other's candidature in international organisations.

Reaffirming his commitment, Ambassador Cuong said the Embassy of Vietnam in Dhaka would continue to act as a bridge of friendship and cooperation, fostering stronger ties between the two peoples.

Reflecting on Vietnam's 80-year journey since 1945, the ambassador said the Vietnamese people, under the visionary leadership of the Communist Party, have defended their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity while striving for prosperity and happiness. 

Today, he added, Vietnam maintains diplomatic relations with 194 nations, enjoys partnership frameworks with 38 key partners, and plays an active role in ASEAN, APEC, WTO and the United Nations.

On behalf of his government, Ambassador Cuong expressed gratitude to the international community for standing by Vietnam during its struggle for independence and in its ongoing nation-building efforts.