The Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney on August 28 held a ceremony to mark the 68th anniversary of the August Revolution (Aug. 19) and the National Day (Sept. 2) in New South Wales state, Australia.

The event drew the participation of New South Wales’ senior officials, international friends and representatives of Vietnamese offices and community in the country.

Addressing the ceremony, Consul General Mai Phuoc Dung reviewed great achievements Vietnamese people have made since President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at the historic Ba Dinh Square.

From a poor and backward country, Vietnam has become a middle-income nation with its stable and strong political system and a full and responsible member of the international community, he said.

Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in 1973, political-security, economic and educational cooperation between Vietnam and Australia have seen positive developments, he noted.

According to him, an array of activities has been conducted in the two countries to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, focusing on the cultural sphere.

Dung cited a series of high-ranking visits paid by the two countries’ leaders so far this year, which, he said, has helped deepen the bilateral relationship in many realms.

In addition, Vietnam and Australia have actively coordinated and supported each other in regional and international forums, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world as well.

Dung went on to say that the relationship between New South Wales state and Vietnam has also been ceaselessly consolidated, especially in cooperation in education and training, infrastructure development and easing Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims’ pains.

The Consul General laid a special emphasis on active contributions made by the Vietnamese community in New South Wales as well as outstanding academic performance of Vietnamese students in the state.

Speaking at the event, New South Wales Governor Marie Bashir congratulated Vietnam on the special occasion and spoke highly of the country’s achievements as well as the fine relationship between the two countries over the past time.

She took the occasion to express her deep sentiments towards the land and people of Vietnam.

Earlier on August 27, Lao Ambassador to Thailand Ly Bounkham led a delegation to the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok to extend congratulations on the occasion of the 68 th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day of Vietnam.-VNA