HCM CITY (VNS) — Two lucky draw winners have earned tickets to travel to India while three others have won hampers and books from the Indian consulate in HCM City, which held a quiz competition on the bodhi tree planted by former Indian President R Venkatraman at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum in 1991.

"Today's event is not a mere quiz competition; it is a commemoration and celebration of our strong relations," Smita Pant, the Indian consul, said.

"I thank the people of Viet Nam for nurturing the sapling which has now turned into a beautiful tree.

"I wish to say that India and Viet Nam are connected in many more ways than we know. The historical Cham temple, the Indian temples and mosques in HCM City or the Vietnamese pagoda in India. [They] all symbolise the importance of love and spirituality in our lives."

The Buddha achieved enlightenment in India under a bodhi tree.

Jet Airways started flights between India and Viet Nam last November. — VNS