Afterwards, Denis Mathen, Governor of the Province of Namur welcomed H.E.  Pham Sanh Chau, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the King of the Belgians, Luxemburg and the European Union. In the audience, were present: the Governor of the Province of Hainaut, some officials coming from the all Wallonia and some people representing different economic and cultural institutions of the Province of Namur.

Following the Governor’s words, a letter of  Rudy Demotte, Minister-President of Wallonie, was read. The Governor and himself liked to also celebrate the 20th. anniversary of the economic relations between our both countries. Then the Ambassador said, in a perfect french, as much he was happy to be back in Namur : “When I arrive here, I feel home”.

Of course, he hopes that we will go further in the economic, educational and cultural relations between Vietnam and Belgium. He repeqted how happy he is with the good relations between his country and   Namur, by exemple, wth the “FIFF” (the french international movies’ festival of Namur), showing often some vietnamese movies to the french speaking belgian audience. Also, he is really glad with the educational exchanges between universities of our two countries, including with the “University of Namur”.

Then, for the second part of this nice evening, the Governor invited his guests to his “Provincial Palace”, where the Ambassador was quite happy to let eachcover the best of the vietnamese gastronomy, served with some good french wines from the local factory “Grafé Lecocq”. As souvenir of  this dinner, each people, being invited by the Governor, received one enveloppe with the four stamps edited, on November 12th., by the “Belgian Post Office”, to celebrate the friendly relations between Vietnam and Belgium.

If Namur was the only place in Wallonie to celebrate this 40th. anniversary, the Vietnamese delegation was also invited by idier Reynders, Minister of the Foreign Affairs, for a Gala Dinner in Brussels, in the Castle of Val Duchesse, on November 13th. Antwerp, on November 15th., and Gent, on November  16th., have followed to receive the visit of the Ambassador of Vietnam.

If you could not be part of one of these events, you can dream about this nice country untill November 29th., by visiting “Symphony of Colours”, one paintings’ exhibition presented by the “Banca Monte Paschi Belgio”, at street Joseph II, 24, near the Metro Station “Arts et Loi”, in Brussels.

“Chao mung ky niem 40 nam thiet lap quan he ngoai giao giua nuoc chxhcn viet nam va vuong quoc bi” (Warmest congratulations to the 40th. anniversary of the Vietnam-Belgium diplomatic relations).

Yves calbert.