Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau Le Duc Hanh at the event. (Photo: VNA)

The relations between Vietnam and Hong Kong (China) have great potential for growth, bringing major economic and cultural benefits to both sides, Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau Le Duc Hanh said at an event celebrating the 79th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day held in Hong Kong on September 19.

Hanh said that Vietnam and Hong Kong have a long-lasting connection, as well as cultural and geographical similarities.

During Vietnam’s Doi Moi (Reform) process, Hong Kong has played an important role in its economic development.

Notably, during the visit to Vietnam by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiu in late July, the two sides signed more than 30 cooperation agreements in many fields, marking a new chapter in their relationship.

The working trip to Hong Kong by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh to attend the 9th Belt and Road Summit from September 10-11 also brought fresh momentum to the bilateral cooperation.

Hong Kong serves as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter the Chinese market in particular and the global trade network in general, as well as for businesses from Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area to come and invest in Vietnam, Hanh said.

She added that Vietnam and Hong Kong should explore new cooperation areas that match their development goals, such as financial and legal services, science and technology, innovation, aviation and human resource development.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Paul Lam emphasised that Vietnam and Hong Kong have long been trusted partners.

In 2023, the bilateral trade reached 31.3 billion USD. Vietnam was Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner in the ASEAN, after Singapore, and the 7th largest globally.

Vietnam was the 8th largest export market to Hong Kong with a turnover of 17.1 billion USD, and the 5th largest importer from Hong Kong with a value of 14.2 billion USD.

Lam said that Hong Kong serves as a bridge between China and other countries thanks to its unique advantages, particularly its high-quality international legal services.

He held that legal service is an area of cooperation with great potential between Vietnam and Hong Kong.