Ho Chi Minh City authorities organised a solemn ceremony on September 1 to mark the 68th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).

Addressing the event, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan affirmed that the spirit of the August Revolution and National Day will never fade in the heart of all Vietnamese generations.

He reviewed the achievements the city has made during the past struggle for independence as well as the current national protection and construction.

Over the past years, HCM City has maintained its economic growth with economic restructuring on the right track and all social resources promoted, proving its role in the southern key economic region and the whole country, he said.

Moving on this impetus, in the future, the city will continue to work for set socio-economic targets, while ensuring political and social security and building a strong and pure Party organisation and political system, meeting the demands of the national industrialisation and modernisation as well as international integration, he added.

On this occasion, five collectives and individuals in the city were presented with Independence Orders second and third class, while eight others were awarded Labour Order first class.

The same day, leaders of HCM City also paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in the city.

The day earlier, the municipal authorities also held a meeting with diplomatic delegations and international organisations in the locality on the occasion of the National Day.

At the event, Mayor Le Hoang Quan highly appreciated the contributions that international friends have made to the city’s development.

He underscored that the cooperation and support of the international community is crucial for the city in fulfilling its development goals.

He reiterated that together with the whole country, HCM City is willing to be a friend and trustful partner of all countries and nations in the spirit of respecting national independence, sovereignty and territory integrity for common peace, friendship and development of all nations.

On behalf of the foreign diplomatic missions, Anatoli Borovik, Russian Consul General in the city extended greetings to HCM City and Vietnam in general on the anniversary.

The diplomat spoke highly of the city’s efforts in economic development as well as fostering international economic cooperation.

The 68th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day were also celebrated in various localities nationwide.

The Central Highlands province of Lam Dong held a photo exhibition featuring the country’s sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelagoes.

Provincial leaders paid tribute to martyrs who fell down for the country’s independence, while honouring 38 outstanding collectives and individuals in following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example.

Meanwhile, the southern central province of Binh Dinh held a sport maneuver for over 300 workers and public servants to celebrate the August Revolution and National Day.-VNA