Hungarian National Assembly Speaker Praises HCM City’s Development
HCM City, The Gulf Observer: Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly László Kövér has expressed his deep admiration for Ho Chi Minh City’s rapid transformation, noting that the southern metropolis has achieved remarkable progress across all sectors since his last visit to Việtnam a decade ago.
The Hungarian parliamentary leader, who arrived in HCM City to begin his official visit to Việt Nam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn, made the remarks during a meeting with Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the city People’s Council Võ Văn Minh on Saturday.
Welcoming Kövér to Việt Nam and HCM City, Minh highlighted the significance of the visit as the two countries commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (February 3, 1950–2025). He emphasized the growing strength of Việt Nam–Hungary ties, noting that the city recently hosted two high-level Hungarian delegations, including the official visit of Hungarian President Sulyok Tamas and his spouse in May.
Minh briefed his guest on HCM City’s recent socio-economic developments, noting that following its merger with Bình Dương and Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu provinces to form a “mega city,” the metropolis is working to leverage its strengths for sustainable growth. Key development priorities include the maritime economy, tourism, oil and gas-linked industries, seaports, and high-tech sectors. The city is also accelerating efforts to establish the Việt Nam International Financial Centre, he added.
Minh recalled that HCM City and Hungary’s capital, Budapest, established friendly cooperation in 2015, and expressed hope that more Hungarian enterprises will invest, operate, and expand their business presence in the city. He also underscored the importance of fostering people-to-people exchanges and cultural diplomacy between HCM City and Hungarian localities.
For his part, Speaker Kövér said Hungary encourages its businesses to explore investment opportunities in Việt Nam, particularly in HCM City. He expressed confidence that the city’s leadership would continue to facilitate Hungarian enterprises and support initiatives aimed at deepening bilateral friendship and cooperation.
Earlier, Kövér and his delegation visited the stupa in memory of Hungarian Orientalist scholar Sándor Kőrösi Csoma in Vũng Tàu Ward, a symbolic gesture underscoring cultural and historical ties between the two nations.
Hungarian Top Legislator Opens Photo Exhibition on HCM City
As part of his official visit, Speaker László Kövér on Sunday attended and inaugurated a photo exhibition at the HCM City Museum featuring works by Hungarian naval doctor Dr. Dezső Bozóky, who captured scenes of Sài Gòn in the early 20th century.
The exhibition showcases 23 digitally reproduced photographs from the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, and the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asian Art. The images depict iconic city landmarks such as the Municipal Theatre, City Hall, Catinat Street (now Đồng Khởi Street), and the Sài Gòn Zoo and Botanical Gardens, offering a vivid glimpse into the city’s architecture, culture, and daily life over a century ago.
Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Council Phạm Thành Kiên said the exhibition reflects how culture serves as a bridge of friendship, fostering mutual understanding and respect between the peoples of Việt Nam and Hungary. He added that showcasing Bozóky’s historic works honors shared cultural heritage and creates new opportunities for artistic and academic exchange.
Hungarian Consul General in HCM City Lehőcz Gábor noted that Dr. Bozóky took the photographs in March 1909, when his ship docked in Sài Gòn during its journey home. He said the exhibition represents not only a valuable photographic collection but also a cultural journey connecting the two nations through shared appreciation of history and art.
