A photographic exhibition opened at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi on September 25, featuring the solidarity movements of Vietnamese and Italian people during the 1960-1970 period. The three-day event was jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Vietnam-Italy Friendship Associations (VIFA) and the Italian Embassy in Vietnam. VIFA Secretary General Nguyen Van Nam said this year marks the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties and sees the upgrade of their relations to a strategic partnership. He spoke highly of the strong support from the Italian people for Vietnam’s past struggles for national independence, and reunification in 1975. Italy was among the first European countries to recognise Vietnam’s republic democracy – the Socialist Republic of Vietnam nowadays, Nam said. He also expressed his hope that Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership will provide fresh opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as for peace, stability, friendship and development of other nations around the world. Both nations have launched diverse celebratory activities for the 40th anniversary their diplomatic ties this year including the Vietnam Days in Italy and the Italy House in Vietnam. Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Lorenzo Angeloni highlighted the significance of the ongoing photo exhibition, saying how it closely connects the past to present and future. The exhibited photos show remarkable contributions from the Italian people to Vietnam’s struggles for national liberation in the past, helping younger generations gain a better understanding of international solidarity among people around the world, he noted. VOV