Party Secretary-General and President Nguyen Phu Trong has signed a decision to bestow the Friendship Order to the Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi to acknowledge his valuable efforts in promoting bilateral relations.

The Vietnamese State’s noble order was awarded for the ambassador’s positive and active contributions in promoting the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia.

Photo: Khac Kien

Speaking at the award ceremony, Dzung affirmed the State of Vietnam’s recognition and appreciation for the ambassador in strengthening and enhancing bilateral ties. He emphasized that in recent years friendly relations and multi-aspect cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia have been developing steadily. The total bilateral trade of USD6,82 billion in 2017 has grown to USD 9.01 billion in 2019 and Indonesia’s investment in Vietnam has also made its mark with notable companies such as Thang Long Cement Semen Indonesia and Citra West Lake/Ciputra Group.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ibnu Hadi expressed his gratitude for the noble award given to him. The last year of his assignment in Vietnam was even more special because it coincided with Vietnam's Chairmanship in ASEAN 2020, Indonesia and Vietnam’s position as the nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council, and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Vietnam (30/12/1955 - 30/12/2020).

In the last five years, bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam in the fields of politics, trade, investment, socio-culture, and people-to-people relations have seen remarkable developments. In terms of the digital economy, specifically, Indonesian companies have also played an increasing role in Vietnam's economy.

"Some of the Indonesian unicorns such as Traveloka, Gojek, and Ruang Guru have been expanding their operation in Vietnam. In addition, Indonesian beauty e-commerce platform, Sociolla, will launch its first overseas expansion in Vietnam next week," he said.

Closing his speech, Ambassador Ibnu Hadi affirmed that Vietnam will always be his second home country and he will deeply treasure the warm relationship with friends and colleagues from Vietnam.

The Friendship Order is the second award received by Ambassador Ibnu Hadi at the end of his term in Vietnam. He was also awarded the Medal for Peace and Friendship Among Nations from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations/VUFO last week./.

Khac Kien