Celebrating Independence Day on September 2nd in the United States and South Africa.

On the evening of August 29th, Washington time, the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States solemnly celebrated the 68th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2nd, 1945 - September 2nd, 2013).

Attending the ceremony were Acting Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel, numerous government officials, business community members, academics, and American friends, as well as diplomatic officials and Vietnamese people residing in the country.

Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Le Huy Hoang delivered a speech at the commemoration ceremony.
(Photo: Nguyen Duc/Vietnam+)

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong emphasized the great significance of National Day on September 2nd. The Ambassador also highlighted Vietnam's strong development over the past 68 years, particularly the achievements brought about by the Doi Moi (Renovation) process. Today, Vietnam has become a dynamic market with nearly 90 million people and is determined to further promote comprehensive reform and international integration, playing an increasingly proactive and responsible role in the region and the world.

Regarding Vietnam-US relations, Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong recalled President Ho Chi Minh's letter to US President Truman just a few months after Vietnam gained independence, expressing his desire for full relations with the United States.
Sixty-eight years later, the two countries have fulfilled this aspiration with the announcement by President Truong Tan Sang and US President Barack Obama on July 25th in Washington D.C. of the establishment of a comprehensive partnership.

The ambassador also emphasized the importance of actively implementing the agreements reached between the leaders of the two countries during President Truong Tan Sang's official visit to the United States for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in each country, in the region, and in the world.

On behalf of the U.S. Government, Acting Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel warmly congratulated the Vietnamese people on their achievements over the past years and expressed confidence in the continued positive development of the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in the years to come.

On the same day, in Pretoria, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of South Africa held a solemn celebration of Vietnam's National Day, marking the 68th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day.

Attending the celebration were South African Deputy Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development John Jeffery, representatives of the South African Government, along with over 400 guests from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries, the South African Institute of Research, ambassadors of ASEAN countries and diplomatic missions in South Africa, representatives of the South African business community, and a large number of Vietnamese expatriates living, studying, and working in South Africa and neighboring countries.

Speaking at the commemoration ceremony, Ambassador Le Huy Hoang emphasized the historical significance of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, which gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now Vietnam, and opened a new era for the Vietnamese nation, an era of independence, freedom, and happiness.

Ambassador Le Huy Hoang reviewed the glorious journey and great achievements that the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, have achieved in 68 years of national construction and development; affirming that Vietnam consistently pursues an independent, self-reliant, and open foreign policy, being a friend and a reliable and responsible partner in the international community.

The Ambassador affirmed the policy of the Vietnamese Party and State in valuing and promoting friendly relations with South Africa, a country with which Vietnam currently has leading trade relations in Africa, and also an important member of the G-20 group, the BRICS group of leading emerging economies, and many other international and regional organizations.

The Ambassador also emphasized that 2013 marked an important milestone in Vietnam-South Africa relations, as the two countries were organizing many activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, aiming to strengthen the close relationship between the two countries in political and diplomatic terms, as well as to promote more practical cooperation in many fields, including trade, investment, education, and environmental protection.

On behalf of the South African Government, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery, delivered a speech expressing the close relationship between the two countries, emphasizing that South Africa always values ​​and appreciates the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, which has been nurtured by generations of leaders from both sides, including President Ho Chi Minh and President Nelson Mandela.

Deputy Minister Jeffery affirmed that South Africa has always considered Vietnam a reliable ally, and that the two countries should leverage the good political relations built over many years, including the close solidarity between the two ruling parties, the Communist Party of Vietnam and the African National Congress (ANC), to further strengthen relations in all aspects.

Deputy Minister Jeffery stated that South Africa highly appreciates the results and significance of Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh's visit to South Africa in early August, and hopes that the two countries will continue to promote exchanges of delegations to create further momentum and elevate the partnership between the two countries to a new level.

According to VNA - LT