Hanoi and Ireland's localities own great potential to cooperate in the fields of trade, tourism, education and investment, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung said at a reception for newly-appointed Irish Ambassador to Vietnam John McCullagh on December 17.

Chung expected that Ambassador John McCullagh will be a bridge to enhance business cooperation between the two sides, promote tourism and facilitate Hanoi students to study in Ireland and vice versa.

At the reception. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

The Hanoi mayor praised the Irish embassy's recent cultural events in the capital city, especially when the Pen Monument (Thap But) in Hoan Kiem Lake turned green to mark St. Patrick’s Day. The event contributed to creating a highlight for diplomatic relations between the two countries and left a deep impression on Hanoi’s people and tourists.

Chung wished the ambassador a successful term in Vietnam, and bring the cooperative relationship between the two countries to a new height as well as strengthen ties between Hanoi and Irish localities.

For his part, Ambassador John McCullagh thanked the Hanoi People's Committee for supporting and facilitating the embassy to annually hold the Green Lighting Ceremony and the Ireland Day Festival in March, as well as Ireland’s other cultural events.

The Green Lighting Ceremony at Hanoi’s Pen Monument is one of numerous events promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries as well as attracting tourists to Hanoi. The ambassador expressed his hope that the Hanoi government will keep supporting Ireland to organize the events next year.

Ireland currently supports many universities in Hanoi in research and student exchange, John McCullagh said, hoping that Hanoi delegation will come to Ireland to study some fields which Ireland has strengths.

The Hanoi mayor agreed that his government will create favorable conditions for celebrating Ireland’s cultural events in the city in 2020 and the following years.