At the reception, Ms. Doan expressed delight at the success of the congress and highlighted movements launched by the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics. She affirmed that the Party, the State and the people have acknowledged the great contribution made by the Catholic community in national construction and defense.

The Vice President expressed her wish that in the future, all priests and parishioners will unite within the nation great unity bloc, thus heightening the spirit of leading a good life and making joint efforts to develop Vietnam effectively. She also expressed hope that authorities and the fatherland front committees at all levels should pay more attention to the emulation movements of Catholics community.

The same day, the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee held a reception for a delegation of exemplary Catholic role models.

Catholic priest Phan Khac Tu said that the congress has been successful and highlighted bright examples of Catholics which have made contribution to the country.

Nguyen Cong Danh, President of the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics said that the congress is a model to unite the whole nation in national construction and development. This has been reflected in the correct policies of the VFF through strict and firm guidelines.

Vu Trong Kim, Vice President and General Secretary of VFF Central Committee said that the congress has proved active response of Catholic followers in patriotic emulation movements throughout the country. Mr Kim affirmed that close relationship between the State and Catholics followers both inside and outside the country has developed strongly. This has clearly shown through the visits by State President Nguyen Minh Triet in December 2009 and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in January 2007.

The meeting, which focuses on promoting alliances for sustainable development, is a good chance for both countries and their localities in particular, to strengthen their cultural and economic cooperation.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Home Affairs, Tran Van Tuan, appreciated the cooperation between the two countries and their localities. He hopes there will be more cooperative projects signed and implemented by the two countries after the meeting.

French Ambassador to Vietnam, Jean Francois Girault, expressed his delight at the development of the relations in various fields like culture, education, healthcare service, and public administration. He said that in Asia, Vietnam receives the largest amount of French investment funds.

The Vietnam-France cooperative relationship was built long ago. It has been nurtured with regular visits by both countries’ state leaders and an agreement on strategic cooperation for the 2006-2010 period.

Two-way trade turnover saw a seven percent increase compared to 2008 and France’s FDI in Vietnam reaches US$2.4 billion in 2010.

The decentralised cooperation between civil organisations and localities is now considered an important factor in the development of the bilateral relationship and mutual trust. The cooperation was started by the establishment of relationship between Hanoi and Ile de France region 30 years ago and has been expanded with the participation of 19 provinces and cities in France and 24 in Vietnam.

Under the cooperation agreement, 60 projects have been carried out, contributing to the development of economics, infrastructure, education and training, scientific research, and many other fields.