Hanoi (VNA) – After 19 days of events showcasing the rich cultural identity and significant accomplishments of Vietnam, attracting over 10 million people from all corners of the country, overseas Vietnamese, and international visitors, the exhibition on national achievements, themed "80-year Journey of Independence – Freedom – Happiness", was a great success.
The closing ceremony of the exhibition took place on the evening of September 15 at the National Exposition Centre – one of the 10 largest exhibition centres in the world – in Dong Anh commune, Hanoi.
Highlighting the people’s great achievements
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared that the exhibition spaces honoured the pride-worthy revolutionary history and the remarkable achievements of Vietnam under the wise leadership of the Party, especially over the past 80 years since the country gained independence.
He emphasised that the exhibition asserted the strength of the great national solidarity through diverse content, presented in a captivating manner, reflecting the unique cultural identities of the 54 ethnic groups across the country.
PM Chinh affirmed that the core spirit running through all spaces of the exhibition is a strong message about the Vietnamese people, who are intelligent, creative, ambitious, unyielding, yet sincere, open, and hospitable.
This spirit, he stressed, has formed the cornerstone for many “miracles”over the past 80 years and embodies the Vietnamese people’s aspiration to reach greater heights in the new era.
The PM said the event helped underscore the inseparable link between national independence and socialism, affirm the right and visionary path chosen by President Ho Chi Minh and the Party, and highlight Vietnam’s distinctive culture, mettle, wisdom, creativity, and patriotism. It also demonstrated the people’s steadfast trust in the Party and State.
Over 10 million visitors come to explore
The exhibition was the largest ever held, featuring over 230 booths of 28 ministries and central agencies, all the 34 provinces and cities, and more than 110 major enterprises and groups.
It showcased accomplishments of nearly 180 industries across various fields, together with numerous documents, artifacts, equipment, and documentary films.
The exhibition also demonstrated the cultural traditions, the spirit of enthusiastic labour, and the effective production and business activities of the people and enterprises nationwide. It portrayed the image of Vietnam and its people with a glorious history spanning thousands of years, and introduced a rich culture deeply imbued with the unique cultural identities and diversity of the 54 ethnic groups. In addition, the abundance of specialities nationwide and the progress of all ministries, agencies, and 34 localities over the past eight decades were also spotlighted.
From August 28 to September 15, it attracted over 10 million visitors, becoming one of the largest exhibitions in terms of attendance ever held. Notably, many delegations of high-ranking officials, including Vietnamese leaders, officials from Laos, Cambodia, Russia and Cuba, and foreign diplomats, also came to the event.
Its appeal was confirmed when the Government issued a directive to extend the exhibition by an additional 10 days, in order to meet public demand and to five people more opportunities to visit and experience the activities and events held there.
At the closing ceremony, PM Chinh and other Party and State leaders presented certificates of merit to 36 collectives and individuals for outstanding contributions to the exhibition./.