Many activities have been held in Indonesia , Cuba , Algeria and South Africa to celebrate Vietnam ’s National Day (Sept. 2) and the 40 th anniversary of the implementation of President Ho Chi Minh’s testament.

The Vietnamese Permanent Representative Mission to ASEAN (VPRM) hosted a reception for the permanent representatives and ambassadors of ASEAN members and partner countries in Jakarta , Indonesia, on Sept. 2.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Vu Dang Dung, Head of the VPRM, confirmed that the Vietnamese mission will, together with other ASEAN countries continue to promote the role of the Committee for Permanent Representatives (CPR) in order to enhance coordination and cooperation between ASEAN members. This will help to speed up the implementation of the ASEAN Charter and the creation of an ASEAN Community by 2015.

The mission is also taking active steps to prepare for Vietnam taking over the ASEAN Presidency in 2010, which will help to strengthen overseas relations and raise ASEAN’s profile in the region and the world at large, he added.

Also on the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba held a ceremony to mark the 64th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day plus the 40 years since President Ho Chi Minh’s testament was implemented. The event was attended by Yadira Garcia Vera, a member of the Cuban Communist Party’s Political Bureau and the Minister for Basic Industries.

Cuban Television also highlighted Vietnam ’s National Day and the country’s recent socio-economic achievements as well as broadcasting an interview with Ambassador Vu Chi Cong on the effective cooperation shown between the two nations, especially in rice production, one of the Cuban government’s top priorities.

The Vietnamese Embassies in Algeria and South Africa also held ceremonies to mark the country’s historic events.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika sent a message to President Nguyen Minh Triet to congratulate Vietnam on its recent successes and said he highly valued the traditional friendship and solidarity between the two nations. He also expressed his wish to develop bilateral economic relations for the benefit of both countries./.