Countries congratulate Vietnam on National Day

On August 30, leaders of many countries around the world congratulated Vietnam on the 68th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2013).

Mr. Khampheng Saysompheng - Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary and Governor of Luang Prabang province congratulated Vietnam on National Day. (Photo: Hoang Giang/Vietnam+)

On behalf of the Obama administration, US Secretary of State John Kerry sent a congratulatory message to Vietnam on its National Day. Secretary of State John Kerry's press release read: "On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States of America, I would like to congratulate the people of Vietnam on their National Day, September 2."

In the statement, the head of the US diplomatic service stated that his first trip to Vietnam in 1991 was very meaningful to him personally. He was very impressed by the dramatic changes in Vietnam since then, and expressed his emotion and honor that the United States was a partner of the Vietnamese people. According to him, reconciliation does not come easily but is worth the effort and goodwill of both sides.

Secretary of State John Kerry said his affection for Vietnam was fulfilled on July 24 when he had the opportunity to welcome Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang at the US State Department. President Truong Tan Sang's visit to Washington is a manifestation of the progress in bilateral relations since the two sides normalized diplomatic relations 18 years ago, reflecting the shared desire to further strengthen the partnership between the two peoples.

Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement noted that over the past 18 years, Vietnam has come a long way. Vietnam has been growing. The cooperative relationship between the two countries has also been growing. Bilateral trade turnover increased more than 50 times between 1995 and 2012 and the two countries continue to strengthen economic ties.

In the coming year, the United States and Vietnam will work together to expand educational cooperation and enhance people-to-people exchanges. The two sides will also enhance dialogue on trade, health, human rights, and environmental challenges. The two countries will advance their bilateral strategic relationship based on their shared desire for peace and stability throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The statement concluded by saying: “On this festive occasion, we celebrate our common journey from conflict to friendship. Thanks to you, together we have accomplished what at times seemed impossible. May you enjoy peace, health and prosperity.”

On the same day, many international friends also attended the National Day celebration organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany in the capital Berlin.

The ceremony was solemnly held at Viethaus with the participation of many high-ranking officials of the host country, Ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN countries, Russia, the US, China..., representatives of friendship organizations, representative agencies in Germany and a large number of overseas Vietnamese and international students.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Federal Republic of Germany Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh reviewed the outstanding achievements in bilateral cooperation, affirming that the Vietnam-Germany relationship is increasingly developing well, especially after the two countries upgraded their bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership. The two sides have completed the Action Plan to implement the strategic cooperation framework and concluded negotiations on development cooperation with a focus on promoting the green growth strategy and sustainable development in Vietnam.

In addition, many projects within the framework of bilateral cooperation have also achieved substantial progress such as the German House Project in Ho Chi Minh City; cooperation in training nurses for Vietnam...

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh expressed her gratitude to the federal government, states, organizations, businesses and German friends for their close and enthusiastic cooperation, contributing to further deepening the friendly relations between the two countries.

On behalf of Germany, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Cornolia Piepe, affirmed that the relationship between Germany and Vietnam is constantly being strengthened.

Vietnam is the first Southeast Asian country to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Germany. Trade relations between the two sides are developing very dynamically and Germany continues to strengthen its role as Vietnam's largest trade partner in the European Union (EU). She said that Vietnam is an Asian country with many people learning German and educational cooperation within the framework of the "Future Partnership" between the two countries has also achieved remarkable results.

She hopes that the successful organization of the German Asia-Pacific Conference in Ho Chi Minh City next year and the completion of the German House project will contribute to further promoting friendly cooperation between the two countries.

During the ceremony, guests watched a film promoting the image of Vietnam and its people; enjoyed performances imbued with national cultural identity and a culinary program with Vietnamese flavors.

On the evening of August 30, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka also held a solemn reception in the capital Colombo to celebrate the 68th anniversary of National Day on September 2. Attending the event were Minister of Food Security P. Dayaratne and many Sri Lankan government and ministry officials, diplomatic corps officers, and a large number of embassy staff and Vietnamese people living and studying in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the reception, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ton Sinh Thanh, highlighted the historical significance of September 2, 1945 to the Vietnamese people and reviewed the great achievements of our people since gaining independence. The Ambassador was pleased to see that the relationship between the two countries is growing steadily in many fields, and highly appreciated the progress of the Vietnam Project to provide technical assistance to develop aquaculture in Sri Lanka as well as the project to build a Ho Chi Minh monument in Colombo.

The Ambassador believes that the cultural similarities and long history in the relationship between the two countries, along with the rich potential of each country, will be favorable conditions to further expand the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Minister of Food Security P. Dayaratne expressed his admiration for Vietnam's struggle for national liberation and its great achievements in nation building. The Minister believed that the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries would be further consolidated and developed, for the benefit of the two peoples, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

On this occasion, the Embassy invited the Army Music and Dance Theater to participate in art performances in the capital Colombo and several major cities of Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 6, and organized a meeting between businesses of the two countries on the evening of August 29.

Also within the framework of celebrating National Day September 2, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka coordinated with the Taj Samudra Hotel to organize “Vietnamese Cuisine Week.” In addition, the Embassy also published a Vietnamese Supplement in several major Sri Lankan newspapers.

On August 30, the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore held a ceremony to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (August 1, 1973 - August 1, 2013) and Vietnam's 68th National Day.

Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Singapore quoted Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Hai Hau as saying that the relationship between the two countries has developed remarkably in all areas, from politics to trade, investment and people-to-people exchange.

The Ambassador added that during the upcoming visit to Vietnam by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the two countries will sign an agreement to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership. This is the result of 40 years of continuous efforts in bilateral relations and the political determination of both countries.

According to Ambassador Tran Hai Hau, in the past two years, leaders of the two countries have had many mutual visits. Recently, economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries have been continuously expanded. Singapore is currently the second largest investor in Vietnam with a total registered capital exceeding 28 billion USD. Two-way trade reached 15.8 billion USD in 2012.

Ambassador Tran Hai Hau stated that the Vietnam-Singapore relationship is also demonstrated in close consultation and coordination at international and regional forums towards the common goal of contributing to the building of the ASEAN Community by 2015, promoting negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and many other regional issues.

Speaking at the ceremony, Singapore's Minister in the Government Office, Grace Fu, stated that the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations was held at a time when the two countries were preparing to upgrade their relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership.
According to her, “Singapore and Vietnam have always been partners. We have many common interests and cooperate closely on many issues. Vietnam is a close partner and friend of Singapore in international and regional forums, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).”

Ms. Grace Fu continued that Singapore highly values ​​Vietnam's friendship and is committed to maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with Vietnam. She expressed her hope that the strategic partnership between Singapore and Vietnam will pave the way for stronger bilateral relations in the future.

Also on the evening of August 30, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Luang Prabang, Laos held a solemn reception to celebrate the 68th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2013).

Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Consul General in Luang Prabang Tran Van Tuan highlighted the great significance of the National Day, reviewing the great victories of the Vietnamese revolution, under the talented and wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh in the past time.

The Consul General thanked the Party Committee, government and people of Luang Prabang province for always paying attention and creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese Consulate General and the Vietnamese community in Luang Prabang and affirmed that he would do his best to effectively perform the role of a bridge to help the northern provinces of Laos in general and Luang Prabang in particular expand and further develop relations with the provinces and cities of Vietnam.

On behalf of the Party Committee, Government and people of Luang Prabang province, Mr. Khampheng Saysompheng - Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary and Governor of Luang Prabang province congratulated Vietnam on the occasion of National Day September 2; warmly congratulated the great achievements that the Vietnamese revolution has achieved; expressed joy at the great achievements from the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, between Luang Prabang province and many provinces and cities of Vietnam in particular./.

According to VNA - LT