Vietnamese embassies in Australia, Thailand and China held banquets on August 31 to celebrate 67 yeas of the August 1945 Revolution and National Day (September 2).

Addressing a ceremony in Canberra, Australia, Ambassador Hoang Vinh Thanh reviewed the major tremendous achievements Vietnam has recorded over the past 67 years since president Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on September 2, 1945.

From an unnamed country on the world map, Vietnam has become a reliable, responsible, and dynamic partner in the international community. It has been making great strides toward building a wealthy people, a strong country, and an equitable, democratic and civilised society, he said.  

National Day celebrated in Thailand

Thanh noted that relations between Vietnam and Australia have developed well in various areas, including economics, politics and national defence and education. Australia is currently Vietnam’s eighth biggest trade partner and its 18th biggest foreign investor.

Peter Slipper, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, voiced his support for the friendly relationship between Australia and Vietnam, saying he believes that it will continue to grow in the future.

Earlier, the embassy played host to a golf tournament “Vietnamese National Day Open” to strengthen solidarity within the Vietnamese community in Australia, and increase friendly exchanges with diplomats from other countries.

*** At a get-together in Beijing, China, Ambassador Nguyen Van Tho stressed that under the leadership of the Communist Party, Vietnam has surmounted numerous difficulties to build a unified, independent and strong country.

Vietnam has made many impressive achievements of historical significance since it began the Doi Moi (Renewal) process in 1986, said the diplomat.

He highlighted major developments in Vietnam-China relations and confirmed that the Party, government and people of Vietnam attach great importance to consolidating and developing close ties with China, which is considered a top priority in the country’s foreign policy.

*** At a similar function in Bangkok, Thailand, Ambassador Ngo Duc Thang reviewed the major developments in bilateral relations through regular exchanges of high-level visits, and revealed that both countries will resume their joint Cabinet meeting and plan to raise their relationship to the status of strategic partnership.

He said Vietnam and Thailand have already convened the first meeting of the ministerial-level committee for trade cooperation, considering trade a key area of cooperation in bilateral relations.

Two-way trade rose to more than US$9 billion last year, making Vietnam the fourth biggest trade partner of Thailand in Southeast Asia.

According to the ambassador, Vietnam and Thailand still have great potential for future development, as their business communities are taking advantage of regional economic connectivity institutions, especially the ASEAN Economic Community due to debut in 2015.

Vietnam wants to cooperate with Thailand in regional cooperation frameworks, including the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), Mekong River Commission, and Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).

 Both countries have supported each other at regional and international forums, most notably in their candidacy for future seats on the UN Human Rights Council.

Celebrations were also held in Cambodia, Sri Lanka and India to mark Vietnam's National Day.

(VOV)