Seychelles’ 88th Honorary Consulate was officially inaugurated on Hanoi Press Club

Non-resident Ambassador of Seychelles to Vietnam, Mr. Philippe Le Gall presented to Ms. Le Thanh Thao – a Vietnamese travel agent with 20 years professional experience – the consular commission signed by President James Michel, appointing her as Honorary Consul of Seychelles in Hanoi, Socialist republic of Vietnam on June 18 at the Hanoi Press Club.
On the occasion of the President’s State Visit to Vietnam late August 2013 the wish of Seychelles to have a permanent representative at consular level in Hanoi had been reaffirmed and a number of agreements were signed between the two countries, especially between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Victoria and Hanoi, the two Civil Aviation Authorities, as well as STA and Hanoi Tourism College, and the two International Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Ho Anh Tuan, was guest of Honor of this inauguration. The event was also attended by Dr Nguyen Quang Lan, Vice Chairman of Vietnam National Tourism Association, Mr Tran Thien Cuong, Director General of the International Relations Department of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as senior officials from Government Departments involved in President Michel’s visit and several ambassadors and honorary consuls.
In his remarks Ambassador Le Gall noted ” the appointment of Ms. Le Thanh Thao in Hanoi is a much welcome, and most useful and timely addition to my Country’s network of Honorary Consuls, ahead of the economic integration of ASEAN member states next year: a dynamic community of countries to which Seychelles is paying attention in a pro-active way.”
On behalf of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Nguy?n M?nh C??ng, Vice Director General, Department of West Asia and Africa-MOFA, reaffirmed the importance of President Michel’s State Visit to Vietnam and the way it has boosted bilateral relations, the appointment of an Honorary Consul showing the two countries’ willingness to take concrete steps to further consolidate and develop these relations.
Mrs. Le Thanh Thao expressed her gratitude and pride to have been appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Seychelles and said she would give priority to tourism, investments and trade exchanges between the two countries as well as assist Seychellois nationals traveling to Vietnam for leisure or business, and she would also help the Ambassador to follow up cooperation files, in particular related to agriculture, education and transportation.
Following official speeches a presentation on Seychelles tourism industry was made by Mr Jean-Luc Lailam, STB regional director for Asia and Australasia.