(VOVworld) - Belgian diplomats and businessmen in Vietnam and Vietnamese alumni in Belgium attended a friendship gathering in Hanoi on Thursday to celebrate the 185th National Day of Belgium on July 21st.

Bui Anh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam-Belgium Friendship Association, at the exchange. (Photo: thoidai.com.vn)

Bui Anh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam-Belgium Friendship Association, called the annual gathering an opportunity for those who love Belgium to meet, share information, and seek business partnerships, noting that it will strengthen the friendship between the two governments and peoples.

Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Jehanne Roccas said that during 43 years of diplomatic ties, cooperation has gotten increasingly closer through effective projects in economics, research, and education. She said two-way trade has been on the rise in recent years. Belgium is the sixth largest exporter to Vietnam and the eighth largest import from Vietnam in the European Union.