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THE GUIDE: How long have you been in Brazil?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: I arrived in the beautiful Brasilia, Capital of Brazil, on 9th June 2006. It is almost three months I have been here. |
THE GUIDE: Did you bring your family, Sir?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: Yes my wife is with me here. We have only one daughter who is still in Viet Nam. She is now working in our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
THE GUIDE: Have you been in service in other countries?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1971. Since then I have worked both at home office and our Embassies abroad. I have served in Malaysia, Brunei and from 1997 to 2002, I was Ambassador of Vietnam to the Philippines. |
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THE GUIDE: What do you think of Brazil?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: This is my first time to Brazil. I feel very honor to be appointed by our Government as Ambassador of Vietnam to Brazil because Brazil is the biggest and the most populated country in South America. Although having been here nearly three months, I find Brazil a very beautiful country and the Brazilian people very friendly, sincere, opened and hospitable. In fact I have very good impression on the country and people of Brazil. |
THE GUIDE: Have you been to another city besides Brasilia?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: Yes of course. Last month, I went to Sao Paulo to attend the Seminar on Opportunities for Trade and Investment between Vietnam and Brazil organized by FIESP in coordination with our Embassy. The seminar is successful as the businessmen of the two countries had more understanding on economic development of Brazil and Vietnam as well as the potentialities of doing business with each other. I also went to Barra Mansa in Rio de Janeiro, to attend the International Fair (VIII Flumisul – 2006). After that I visited the City of Rio and of course visited the Christ the Redeemer Monument and had panoramic view of the city and the beaches. |
THE GUIDE: Before coming to Brazil, in which were you living in , Sir?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: I were living in Hanoi and working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
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THE GUIDE: What do you think is different in your new life in Brasilia?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: I find myself very comfortable here because the weather in Braslia is very pleasant, not so hot, not so cold. The city is very clean and very famous with its the excellent architect. |
THE GUIDE: How is the relations between Vietnam and Brazil?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: Vietnam and Brazil established diplomatic relations on 8 May 1989. Since then, the relations between the two countries, particularly in political field have been day and day developed. There have been high level exchange of visits. Official visits to Brazil were paid by H.E. President Le Duc Anh in October 1995, H.E. President Tran Duc Luong in November 2004 and H.E. Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Van an in March 2006. The delegation of Parliament, Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brazil headed by H.E. Ando Rebelo, Deputy of the Parliament (now the Speaker) also visited Vietnam in October 2003. The results of these visits were very good, opening new pages of the relations between the two countries. However our bilateral trade and economic relations are still limited. The two way trade was only 113.8 millions US$ in 2005 and the first seven months of this year was increased to 102.2 millions US$ in which Vietnam export to Brazil (mainly coal, rice, textile, footwear, electronic…) was valued at 41.6 millions US$ and imported from Brazil 60.6 millions US$ (mainly soya bean, steal, paper, leather…). I think that our bilateral relations will certainly develop in the coming years due to three main factors. Firstly, our two governments and peoples have the same wish to develop our bilateral relations for mutual benefits; Secondly, the two countries have signed a number of agreements on cooperation in different fields, thus creating legal framework and favorable conditions to promote our relations; and thirdly there still remain opportunities and potentialities of cooperation between our two countries. The main task of myself and of my Embassy here is to do our best to the promotion of the relations of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Brazil. |
THE GUIDE: For how long are you going to stay as an ambassador in Brazil?
AMBASSADOR NGUYEN THAC DINH: Normally the tour of duty in our foreign mission is 3 to 4 years. I hope I can be allowed by my Government to extend my stay here.
Thank you. |
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THE GUIDE informs some useful websites of Vietnam:
www.mofa.gov.vn
www.vietnamtourism.com |
