(VOVworld)-A ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam – Republic of Korea diplomatic ties opened in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

HCM City celebrates 20th anniversary of the Vietnam- Republic of Korea diplomatic ties

Delegates reviewed significant progress in bilateral ties following their establishment of strategic partnership in 2009. The RoK is the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam with two-way trade hitting nearly 18 billion USD last year. It  is expected to increase to 20 billion USD before 2015. Addressing the event, Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Hua Ngoc Thuan said HCM City is among the first localities to strengthen ties with the Korea:“Ho Chi Minh City has taken the lead in strengthening relations with the Republic of Korea. In November 1995, the city established sistership with Busan. The strategic partnership between the two countries and determination by the governments and people will accelerate bilateral relations.”

Nearly 120,000 Vietnamese now live in the Korea while 130,000 Koreans are living in Vietnam.