A series of activities took place at home and abroad on September 2 to celebrate the 66 th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day.

Addressing at a reception following an incense-offering ceremony to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese Ambassador to France, Duong Chi Dung thanked the overseas Vietnamese community for their contributions to the home country and ceaseless efforts to build and deepen cooperative ties between Vietnam and France over the past time.

Regarding Vietnam – France relations, Dung affirmed that the two countries are determined to build the strategic partnership to further tighten bilateral relations and exploit each country’s potentials in the best way for the interests of the two nations.

The same day, Vietnamese Embassies in Australia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Argentina hosted receptions to celebrate the event.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia, Hoang Vinh Thanh said that since Vietnam and Australia lifted relations to strategic partnership in 2009, especially the signing of the Vietnam – Australia Action Plan for the 2010 – 2013 period, the two countries’ bilateral relations have been increasingly developed and expanded in all fields.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia, Nguyen Hong Thao expressed his delight at the increasingly strengthened and developed friendship between the two countries.

Malaysia is currently Vietnam’s main importer and takes the lead in investment activities in Vietnam. Almost 100,000 Vietnamese labourers are working in the fields of manufacturing, service and construction in Malaysia, contributing to developing its economy, Thao said.

In the RoK, music performances featuring President Ho Chi Minh and love for Vietnam, and a traditional long dress show left a deep impression on the RoK audience.

In Argentina, the Vietnamese Embassy’s National Day celebration was attended by local senior officials, academicians, businesspeople and social activists.

The event included cultural exchanges, photo exhibition and talks.

While in Ho Chi Minh City, a number of locals enjoyed songs and dances praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh and the country at a special art programme, held at the September 23 park in the evening of September 2.

Many venues across the city also drew big crowds to sight fireworks set off from Thu Thiem tunnel in District 2 and Dam Sen cultural park in District 11.

In the central coastal city of Da Nang, the traditional boat race for VTV Cup - Da Nang was held as part of activities marking the National Day.

The locals and foreign tourists also had a chance to enjoy water-skiing performances, sports activities on Han river along with other exciting entertainment and cultural activities such as street music performances on the day./.