Vietnam will always stand side by side with Venezuela and do its utmost to enhance the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Vu Van Hien, Chairman of the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association, made the remarks at a meeting in Hanoi on February 26 to mark the Day of Solidarity with Venezuela.

Vietnam has always acknowledged the support by Venezuelan people to the country during the past struggles against foreign aggressors as well as the present path of national construction, he said.

Highlighting the cause of the late Venezuelan President and Commander-in-Chief Hugo Chavez, who led the country into socialism, Hien reaffirmed the solidarity of the association and Vietnamese people towards the Venezuelan people during their revolutionary struggle.

In reply, Venezuelan Ambassador Jorge Rondon Uzcategui said the meeting helps encourage Venezuelan people to safeguard the Bolivarian revolution and build a greater and sovereign country, meeting the aspirations of Chavez.

According to him, Vietnam and Venezuela are preparing to mark the eight anniversary of Chavez’s official visit to Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of Venezuela guerillas’ campaign to rescue Nguyen Van Troi, a young Vietnamese patriot.-VNA