The Vietnamese embassies in many countries have held ceremonies marking the 69 th anniversary of Vietnam ’s National Day (September 2, 1945) .

At a reception hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in India on August 28, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Vijay Kumar Singh, suggested both countries work harder to enhance their multi-faceted cooperation, particularly in the fields of the economy, defence and security.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Tan said the two countries will collaborate closely in joint fields of strength, such as tourism, business and citizen exchanges.

The Vietnamese Ambassador to Norway , Le Thi Tuyet Mai, took the occasion to thank Norway for its official development assistance to Vietnam , which is greatly useful for the country’s poverty reduction, socio-economic development and institutional reform programmes.

She said both countries have high hopes for stronger bilateral cooperation in years to come, particularly once the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Agreement Association (EFTA) is completed.

In Japan , a ceremony hosted by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka on August 28 was attended by Osaka Vice Governor Tadakazu Konishi, President of Osaka Prefectural Assembly Kenji Okazawa and Sakai City ’s Mayor Takeyama Osami, among others.

Consul General Tran Duc Binh said the upgrading of bilateral ties to an Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia during President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to Japan in March this year acts as a foundation for bilateral multi-dimensional cooperation.

Japanese enterprises and friendship organisations in Kansai pledged to continue their support for and cooperation with Vietnam , bringing prosperity to both countries.-VNA