Vietnamese communities around the world have organised a number of celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the Liberation of South Vietnam and National Reunification, which falls on April 30.

A ceremony was held on April 28 in Buenos Aires, Argentina to mark the event, with the participation of representatives from the Argentine Lower House as well as ambassadors representing India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Nicaragua.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Argentine Lower House’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Guillermo Carmona, lauded the achievements that the 92 million-strong country of Vietnam has gained in the 40 since the war.

Meanwhile, Maria Carolina Perez Colman, Foreign Policy Undersecretary at the Argentine Foreign Ministry, expressed delight at the solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the two countries, evidenced by two-way trade exceeding 1.95 billion USD last year, a surge from the 830 million USD recorded in 2010.

At the same time, Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Nguyen Dinh Thao noted that after four decades, unexploded bombs and mines left over from the war continue to threaten the lives of locals. He did however highlight the nation’s development achievements.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt organised a similar ceremony on the same day.

The anniversary was marked in India at a meeting held by the All-India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO) on April 28.

In France , the Vietnamese community gathered at the Vietnamese Embassy on April 27 to celebrate the great spring 1975 victory. Addressing the event, Ambassador Nguyen Ngoc Son highlighted the significance of the General Offensive and Uprising that led to the complete liberation of South Vietnam, putting an end to the American War and reunifying the nation.

He stated that the desire for peace was the key motivator inspiring Vietnamese people to achieve the victory. He also thanked foreign partners for supporting Vietnam in the struggle.

A day earlier, a similar gathering was held by the Association of Vietnamese Veterans in the German state of Sachsen Anhalt, as they too officially celebrated the victory.

Yet another ceremony was also jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Hungary and the Hungary-Vietnam Friendship Association, drawing locals and representatives from Budapest city government as well as overseas Vietnamese in the country.

Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Tuan said after four decades, Vietnam has risen from a poor and underdeveloped country to become a nation of peace and stability with a speedily growing economy and improved living conditions. He said it has integrated deeply with the rest of the world and is playing an increasingly important role on the global stage.

He also spoke highly of the assistance that has come from the international community, including Hungarian friends, to support national defence and construction.

Vietnamese abroad respond to reunification day

Vietnamese embassies in Algeria, Angola and Romania recently held activities to mark the 40th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification (April 30).

The April 30 victory was a decisive event in the 21-year fight against American invaders and was the historic end to the 30 struggle for independence and reunification, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Vu The Hiep told a press conference on April 26.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam over the past 40 years, Vietnam has grown from a war-torn and underdeveloped economy into a country of peace and stability with increasing stature in the region and the world, he said.

The same day, the State-owned Algeria Press Service and the daily El Moudjahid also ran coverage of the April 1975 triumph.

In Angola, the Vietnamese embassy opened a course raising awareness about the Party to excellent members chosen from the grassroots youth movements.

In Romania and Italy, meetings celebrating the occasion attracted hundreds of Vietnamese students, expatriates and foreign partners.

The Vietnamese students in Italy called for continued global support to Vietnam in its path to protecting peace, stability and development.

A similar celebration event took place in High School 282 in Moscow, Russia on April 27, with Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Son and former Soviet Union military experts taking part.

On the same day, Venezuelan television channel Telesur broadcast a documentary shot in Hanoi exploring the war and its painful consequences for generations of Vietnamese people. It also showed images of the socio-economic progresses enjoyed by Vietnam, the results of the country’s firm determination and exceptional perseverance.

VNA