(VOVworld) – A reception on Thursday kicked off a wide range of activities to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, co-chairman with British Ambassador to Vietnam Antony Stokes, said the two countries will boost their relations in politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, and other sectors, and will intensify bilateral strategic partnership at regional and global forums.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and British Ambassador to Vietnam Antony Stokes make a toast for a successful celebration of the 40th Vietnam-UK diplomatic year (Photo: VOV)

At a press briefing held earlier the same day, Stokes announced activities to celebrate this landmark year 2013 with the theme “Inspire, Learn, and Innovate”: Inspire through cultural exchanges beyond cities and beyond barriers and learning through technology and through establishing educational centers of excellence in both countries. And by innovating we bring greater prosperity to both our countries including the hope of meeting our ambitious strategic targets this year of doubling our bilateral trade and dramatically increase investment in Vietnam.  

The activities will include the World Education Forum, a London fashion week, an environment conference, a British film festival in Vietnam, and a Vietnamese summer festival in the UK. The celebration will reach its peak in September with a British week in Vietnam and a Vietnamese week in the UK.