Vietnamese embassies worldwide hosted receptions on September 2 to mark the country’s 65 th National Day.

In Phnom Penh , the event saw the presence of Chairman of the Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrin and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Nam Hong.

Addressing the reception, Ambassador Ngo Anh Dung spoke of the historical significance of September 2, 1945 – the day President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence to give the birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

He recalled enormous achievements the Vietnamese Party, State and people have made in the past 65 years during which they fought for national liberation and reunification together with building and developing the country.

On behalf of the Cambodian Royal Government, Deputy Prime Minister Hor Nam Hong spoke highly of the time-honoured friendship and the growing cooperation between the two countries. He expressed his pleasure to see a surge in Vietnam ’s investment in Cambodia and the two countries’ trade over the past years.

The same day, the Vietnamese embassy’s staff laid a wreath at the monument dedicated to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Cambodian people’s freedom.

In Jakarta , the Vietnamese embassy and the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to ASEAN co-hosted a function marking both Vietnam ’s 65 th National Day and the 55 th anniversary of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic ties.

Ambassador Nguyen Huu Dung, in his opening speech, laid stress on Vietnam ’s image and position and its deeper integration into the region and the world at large.

This year, Vietnam is working hard in the role of ASEAN Chair and has made important contributions to the group’s development to realise the building of the ASEAN Community in 2015, the ambassador said.

He affirmed that Vietnam , as a UN member, has enforced its international commitments and has enthusiastically taken part in concerted efforts to deal with global issues, such as climate change and food and energy security.

Speaking at the event, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Triyono Wibowo warmly congratulated Vietnam on its 65 th National Day and underlined developments and the vast benefits of multi-dimensional cooperation between the two countries over the past 55 years.

In anticipation of the event, Vietnamese representative agencies in Indonesia organised an exhibition of photo and paintings to promote the beauty of Vietnam ’s land and people and feature a dynamic and active Vietnam in ASEAN.

The same day, activities to mark National Day were held in several European countries.

In London , the Vietnamese embassy in the UK and the North Ireland held a reception attended by representatives of Buckingham palace, parliament, ministries, UK organisations, the UK-Vietnam Society, the Overseas Vietnamese Association, the Business Society, Vietnamese representative agencies and Vietnamese expatriates in London .

The event in Moscow saw the presence of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov, representatives of Russian and Moscow governments, President of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association Vladimir Buiyanov, ambassadors of countries of the former Soviet Union and ASEAN member countries, and representatives of international organisations.

In Paris , Vietnam ’s National Day was celebrated with an event attended by 600 guests, including President of the French-Vietnamese Friendship Group to the House of Representatives Michel Voisin.

National Day celebrations were also held in Algeria , Argentina , Italy , South Africa , Mexico , Malaysia and other countries, and Guangzhou , China .

At these functions, the Vietnamese ambassadors all emphasised that this year’s National Day is being marked at a time when the entire country is looking forward to the 1,000 th anniversary of the capital city of Hanoi , where the Thang Long Royal Citadel has been recognised by the UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site.

The ambassadors also took this occasion to reiterate Vietnam ’s consistent foreign policy of openness and friendliness towards all countries around the world.

They thanked international friends for their valuable assistance to Vietnam in its past struggle for national liberation and current construction and expressed their belief that Vietnam ’s relationship with other countries will be elevated to a new height in the future./.