Vietnam’s history of struggle and victory over adversity has inspired and given great hope to Israel, Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer said at a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

He was delivering a speech to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the Independence Day of Israel (May 14).

The event, held by the Israeli Embassy in Vietnam, was attended by deputy chairman of the city Nguyen Van Dung, along with about 250 guests, including Vietnamese and Israeli officials, and the representatives of the Israeli community in Vietnam. 

Expressing his great pleasure at the diplomatic relations between the two countries over the past 30 years, the ambassador told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he highly appreciates the friendship, support, and understanding between both sides.

Every Israeli who comes to Vietnam realizes that the Southeast Asian country has recently obtained many new development achievements, and they all wish to participate in and contribute to this process, Mayer said.

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, pronounced the declaration of independence of the State of Israel.

On this occasion, Israelis around the world come together to celebrate the nation's founding and its advances in technology, innovation, culture, and many others.

As a small country in the Middle East, surrounded by a harsh environment, Israel has to always defend its right to exist but the country has still thrived as a democratic and prosperous nation thanks to its efforts, Mayer told the ceremony.

Israelis have found inspiration and great hope in Vietnam's history of struggle and victory over adversity in the past, the diplomat commented. 

A Vietnam of peace, prosperity, and development today has given Israel an expectation that the Middle East nation will one day also live in peace and harmony with its neighbors, Mayer stated.

Deputy chairman Dung extended his congratulations to the government and people of Israel on the anniversary of Israel’s Independence Day.

Since Vietnam and Israel established diplomatic relations on July 12, 1993, the relationship between the two countries has undergone positive progress in many fields for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world in general.

Particularly, the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2023 marked a significant milestone in the bilateral cooperation based on mutual trust and a common aspiration for a shared future, Dung said.

Last year’s two-way trade exceeded US$2.7 billion, he added. 

Israel’s Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM), one of the world's leading shipping lines, has moved its Southeast Asia hub to Vietnam, opening up a direct trade route between the two countries.

Dung affirmed that the Ho Chi Minh City administration will always facilitate and support the Israeli Embassy in Vietnam in promoting bilateral cooperation programs and projects, contributing to strengthening the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Israel.

The Vietnamese official also called on Israeli businesses and investors to speed up investment and seek new mutually beneficial cooperation models and projects.

According to the Israeli Embassy, Ho Chi Minh City is a center for bilateral cooperation in educational and scientific research.

Israel’s startup support programs have promoted Vietnamese upstarts in the city through exchanges and training with Israeli experts, the embassy said.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!