At a reception for the former UNESCO General Director in Hanoi on September 16, Deputy PM Dung said Vietnam is trying to make a breakthrough in transport infrastructure with focus on the networks of expressways and express railways, major airports, seaports and energy infrastructure.

He noted the support that Matsuura had provided to Vietnam when serving as Deputy Foreign Minister of Japan, particularly his backing of raising ODA supply to Vietnam which had helped the Southeast Asian nation initially complete its transport infrastructure and meet development requirements, thus raising the country’s economic competitiveness.

The Deputy PM also acknowledged Matsuura’s significant contributions to cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO. 

In his capacity as UNESCO General Director, Matsuura signed and accelerated the implementation of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between UNESCO and Vietnam for 2005-2010 to help the country improve the quality of education and cultural heritage preservation.

He also supported Vietnam’s proposals to UNESCO to recognise its Hoi An ancient town, the Ho Dynasty Citadel, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and the cultural space of gongs in the Central Highlands, to name but a few, as part of the world’s cultural heritage, Dung added.

In reply, Matsuura said he was impressed by the development of the cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO as well as the country’s rapid growth over the years.

He pledged to encourage Japanese investors to run business in the country.

VNA