The Vietnam-Iran Friendship Association (VIFA) made its debut on September 20 in Hanoi with its first congress for the 2009-2014.

The congress appointed Dang Nhu Loi, Deputy Head of the Vietnam ’s National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs, as president of the association.

Nguyen Quoc Thap, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, and Nguyen Toan Thang, CEO of Vietnam Vegetable and Fruit and Agricultural Product Corporation, were named vice presidents.

Founded by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the association is expected to help increase mutual understanding among people of Vietnam and Iran , strengthen and develop the friendship and cooperation between the two nations in various areas including economy, trade, science and technology, culture and education and training.

In the recent past, Vietnam and Iran have exchanged high-ranking delegations and accelerated economic cooperation, especially in oil and gas exploitation and agriculture.

Two-way trade has steadily risen to 80 million USD in 2008 from just about 30 million USD in 2003.

The founding ceremony of VIFA was attended by VUFO representatives, representatives of Vietnamese ministries, Iranian Ambassador to Vietnam Seyed Javad G.Shahidi and Iranian embassy staff in Hanoi.