Delegations from more than 40 countries like Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, the UK, Hungary, North Korea, the Republic of Korea, China, Mongolia, India and Cuba on May 1 toured the Nhieu Loc- Thi Nghe channel and the Thien Phuoc 1 social welfare centre in HCM City.

{keywords}

Southern region - a major contributor to Vietnam’s economy

The tour hosted by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) is part of activities for international delegations coming to Vietnam for the 40th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and National Liberation Day (April 30).

Dr. Miklós Deri, a former member of the International Commission of Control and Supervision to monitor the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Vietnam, expressed his strong impression on the drastic changes of HCM City since the liberation. After 42 years of his return to Vietnam, he witnessed a huge change at the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe channel with blue water brim-full of swimming fishes and green trees grown alongside the two banks.

Caravelle was once seen as the most beautiful, luxurious and largest hotel in Saigon but many high-rise modern buildings are now springing up like mushrooms in HCM City, signifying the robust growth of Vietnam as well as HCM City, he said.

The Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Project (phase 1) was launched in 2002 with a total investment of nearly VND 8,600 billion. Completed 10 years later, the project helped revitalize the channel that was contaminated by garbage for more than 20 years. As a result, 1.2 million people living along the canal basin have benefited from improved hygienic conditions due to reduced risks of flooding, bringing about urban gentrification.

After the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe channel, foreign guests visited the Thien Phuoc 1 social welfare centre in Cu Chi district set up by priest Phan Khac Tu which adopts 130 children with disabilities, including those affected by Agent Orange.

Sandra Scagliotti, Vietnam Research Centre Director and Honorary Consul of Vietnam in the Piemonte Region, said when she was young, she studied Vietnamese history and literature, understanding, the Vietnamese cultural traditions and seeing Vietnam as the love of her life.

Heroic fighting spirit and humanity of the people of Vietnam is why she has identified herself with Vietnam. She said she could see the everyday changes of Vietnam, especially HCM City through each of her visits to the country.

VOV