The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, began her visit to Hanoi today (August 17).
     　　
     In the morning, she called on the Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, Mr Tran Tuan Anh, to strengthen the long-established trade and economic relationship between Vietnam and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Mrs Lam updated Mr Tran on Hong Kong’s latest economic developments and the unique advantage of Hong Kong as the gateway to the Mainland of China for investors from the region, including those from Vietnam. She said she believed that the future Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would provide more business opportunities to both Hong Kong and Vietnam, and looked forward to Vietnam’s continuous support for timely conclusion of the FTA negotiation.

     At a lunch hosted by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Vietnam, Mr Hong Xiaoyong, Mrs Lam expressed gratitude for the provision of consular assistance to Hong Kong people in need. Mrs Lam then met with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Ngoc Thien, to discuss ways to forge closer links between Hong Kong and Vietnam in areas including art and culture, sports and tourism.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc. She thanked the Prime Minister for the support of the Vietnam Government in the negotiation on the ASEAN-Hong Kong FTA over the last two years and expressed hope for its early conclusion. They exchanged views on the latest developments of the two places and the growing trade and investment relationship between Vietnam and Hong Kong, as well as the enormous co-operation opportunities for Hong Kong and ASEAN countries under the FTA as well as China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
     　　
     Mrs Lam also visited the Vietnam National University (VNU) to learn more about cultural and information technology developments in Vietnam. As the first modern university in Vietnam and one of the two national universities today, VNU is the largest comprehensive higher education and research centre in the country.

     In the evening, Mrs Lam spoke at the opening reception of a concert of the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. The AYO, based in Hong Kong, was established with the aims of uniting young musicians across the region, inspiring them to unleash their full potential and celebrating the excellence of their talent. Every summer, the orchestra meets in Hong Kong for a three-week rehearsal camp, followed by a concert tour across Asia. This year, with some 110 young musicians from 12 countries and regions of Asia including Hong Kong and Vietnam, the concert tour covers Asian cities including Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Singapore, Hanoi, Taipei, Chiayi City, Nagoya, Ayase and Tokyo.

     Mrs Lam will continue her visit in Hanoi tomorrow (August 18) before returning to Hong Kong in the evening.
     　　

Ends/Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:53

NNNN