Singapore (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassyin Singapore on March 24 held a ceremony to hand over the Friendship Order andthe insignia “For peace and friendship among nations” to Catherine Wong SiowPing, former Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam (2016-2021 term).

Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung, on behalf ofthe State President and the President of the Vietnam Union of FriendshipOrganisations (VUFO), presented the noble awards to the former ambassador inrecognition of her contributions to consolidating and promoting theVietnam-Singapore strategic partnership as well as solidarity, friendship andcooperation between their people.

Besides foreign affairs, Catherine organised various activities helping toraise mutual understanding between the people of the two countries such ascoordinating with the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association and the NationalFund for Vietnamese Children to hold a charity run in 2018 that collectedsome 80,000 USD for the fund, among others, Dung said.

The diplomat noted his hope that Catherine, in hernew position as Director General of the Southeast Asia Directorate I under theSingaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will further contribute to thebilateral relationship, especially at the time when the two countries are working towardsthe celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomaticties, and 10 years of the strategic partnership.

Catherine expressed her good sentiments towardsthe Vietnamese people and her delight at the comprehensive and good development ofthe relationship.

She told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’scorrespondents that it is her honour to receive the order and the insignia.

The former ambassador also highlighted the supportof the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies during herterm in Vietnam./.