The Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa on August 26 held a ceremony in Pretoria marking the 69 th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2).

Addressing his guests, Vietnamese Ambassador Le Huy Hoang reviewed the great accomplishments the Vietnamese people had achieved in the last 69 years of national building and development, under the leadership of the Party.

He affirmed Vietnam is a friend and a reliable partner of all nations, and will continue efforts to integrate into the international community and to solve international and regional issues, including the East Sea issue, by peaceful means and through negotiations in line with international law and the United Nations Charter.

Vietnam has always held its ties with South Africa, its largest trade partner in Africa, in high esteem, he said, adding that bilateral trade is likely to exceed 1 billion USD this year.

Khadija Margadie, assistant to the South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, suggested the two countries further intensify their multifaceted cooperation, especially in fields that have potential for collaboration or those where there is a demand for working together, such as exports and trade, education, and environmental protection.

She expressed hope that Vietnam will share its experience in agricultural development and poverty reduction with her country.-VNA