Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Thiep (second from left) and Nguyen Cong Tuoi Maurice Germain (second from right) (Source: nhandan.vn)

The Honorary Consul is tasked with boosting economic and trade relations between Vietnam and France, and protecting the Vietnamese State’s interests as well as Vietnamese citizens’ legitimate rights and interests in the port city.

He can exercise his authority in the entire southern province of Bouches-du-Rhône.

Vietnam’s appointment of a honorary consul in Marseille shows the city’s important position in France and for Vietnam.

Marseille is France’s second largest city and the biggest port in not only France but also the Mediterranean Sea. For Vietnam, Marseille was the place where late President Ho Chi Minh landed in 1911, beginning his journey to find a way to gain national independence. At present, the port city has the second largest Vietnamese community, following Paris.

The Vietnamese Embassy in France now manages four Honorary Consuls in Nouvelle Calédonie, Monaco, Andorra và Marseille./.VNA