HANOI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised Vietnam’s ability to rebuild the country after facing extensive damage caused by French colonialism and American intervention. Anwar emphasized that Malaysia can learn from Vietnam’s experience.
He highlighted the turmoil that Vietnamese people endured during this period, leading them to seek refuge in Malaysia. The country faced instability and a severely impacted economy.
However, Anwar acknowledged Vietnam’s rapid progress as an economic powerhouse and one of the most successful developing nations globally. He attributed this success to the unification of North and South Vietnam and their commitment to developing the country and ensuring the well-being of its people.
While Vietnam previously sought guidance from Malaysia in the 1990s, particularly in the financial and banking sectors, Anwar acknowledged that Vietnam has now surpassed Malaysia in several areas.
During his visit to Vietnam, Anwar expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese people’s resilience in recovering from the hardships they faced during their fight against colonialism. He commended their successful establishment as a prominent country in ASEAN and one of the most promising developing nations in the world.
Anwar also expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration between Malaysia and Vietnam to strengthen bilateral relations. He met with Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and they both emphasized the importance of anti-corruption measures and good governance.
In addition to their official engagements, Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, visited Hanoi Book Street. The famous street features 16 bookstores and provides a cultural space for visitors to enjoy and rest.
Anwar also joined the Muslim community in Hanoi to perform Friday prayers at the Al Noor Mosque, the city’s only mosque. During his visit, he interacted with the mosque’s Imam and congregants and made a donation to support the local Muslim community.
Anwar’s two-day visit to Vietnam aimed to strengthen the friendship and collaboration between Malaysia and Vietnam, which have maintained strong diplomatic ties for the past five decades.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
