National Assembly Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien presents the Order of Friendship to Diego Vecchiato and Carlo Coccato. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese delegation had a working session on Monday with Roberto Marcato, who oversees the Italian region of Veneto’s economic and energy development. Their discussion revolved around industrial design, support policies for cottage industries, solutions to climate change, and sustainable tourism development, among other topics. The Italians want closer trade and tourism cooperation with Vietnam and said they will push for early ratification of EU free trade and investment protection agreements with Vietnam.

The same day, Mr. Hien, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party and State, presented the Order of Friendship to Diego Vecchiato, Director of the Italian region of Veneto’s Department of International Relations, and Carlo Coccato, a member of the Veneto Labour Confederation. The distinction is a high honour of the State of Vietnam bestowed for the two awardees’ contribution to Vietnam-Italy ties during Vietnam’s past struggle for independence and current program of national development.