A walk for “A peaceful and prosperous ASEAN community” took place around the Hoan Kiem lake in the heart of Hanoi on August 8, drawing 11,000 people, including foreign diplomatic corps.

The Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, said at the opening ceremony that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Vietnam , has worked hard for a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN community.

She informed the crowd of UNESCO’s recognition of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel as the world cultural heritage site, saying it was a great honour of not only Hanoians but also the Vietnamese people.

“It is a gift of great significance to celebrate the capital’s millennium anniversary,” said the Vice Chairwoman.

Indonesian Ambassador Pitono Purnomo highly valued Vietnam ’s contribution to promoting solidarity and stability in the grouping.

Achievements recorded by Vietnam in relations with ASEAN have paved a firm foundation for the future and integration of Vietnam , said the Indonesian diplomat.

The walk appeared to be a street festival, culminating in folk games and dances such as gong beating, puppetry and classical drama.

Charming Lao girls in their Lam Vong dance, young Japanese girls and boys in a noisy Yosakoi dance and modern international dances by Hanoi youth made the event more colourful and demonstrated Vietnam ’s strong unity with the international community./.