Kuala lumpur: The Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA) opened its first office in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, marking a significant step towards building the Vietnamese community and strengthening bilateral relations, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Vietnamese Ambassador Dinh Ngoc Linh applauded the association's initiatives to contribute meaningfully to Vietnam-Malaysia relations. He expressed his confidence that the new office will become a hub for partnerships, fresh ideas, and impactful programmes to deepen the Vietnam-Malaysia relationship.

MVFA President Tran Thi Chang said she hopes that with the companionship of partners, the association will continue to serve as a bridge to connect the two countries' people, spread the values of friendship, and promote cultural exchanges, economic cooperation, and community bonds.

Established in August 2022 as a licensed non-profit organisation in Malaysia, the MVFA seeks to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation across culture, education, business, and diplomacy. Its vision is to build a connected and prosperous Vietnam-Malaysia community, strengthen partnerships, honour cultural heritage, and open new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

The organisation's standout activities over the past three years include supporting Vietnamese medical delegations visiting leading Malaysian hospitals, co-hosting free health check-ups for the Vietnamese community, organising sports and cultural events, and facilitating Malaysian business missions to Vietnam's Dak Lak province and Ho Chi Minh City to explore trade and cultural cooperation.

Its office will facilitate the implementation of cooperation programmes regarding culture, economy, education, healthcare and community, helping strengthen and elevate Vietnam-Malaysia ties to a new height.