During the historic days of April, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the Ambassadors of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Poland shared their feelings with the Government E-Newspaper about this important event of Vietnam.

Mr. Kees van Baar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Vietnam, expressed his joy at witnessing the exciting activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day taking place solemnly in Ho Chi Minh City.

"Living and working here, I witness every day the strong transformation of Vietnam into a vibrant, peaceful and forward-looking country. Having personally experienced the conflicts that are still taking place in other parts of the world, I am more deeply aware of the precious values ​​of peace, freedom and prosperity - things that need to be cherished and protected," Mr. Kees van Baar shared.

The Ambassador said that the Netherlands has long admired Vietnam's resilience and determination. As a friend of Vietnam, the Netherlands shares the pride in the development achievements and optimism for a brighter future of the Vietnamese people.

"This anniversary reminds us of the journey Vietnam has gone through and the great potential ahead. On those journeys, there has always been the companionship of trusted partners with Vietnam, including the Netherlands," Mr. Kees van Baar affirmed.

The Ambassador said that 50 years ago, when Vietnam was completely reunified, the Netherlands, like many other countries, closely followed the changes that took place. Despite the geographical distance, the Dutch people still had deep sympathy for the aspirations of the Vietnamese people. Vietnam's reunification laid the foundation for today's remarkable development, including in international friendly relations.

The relationship between Vietnam and the Netherlands has continuously developed, from development cooperation to strong partnerships in trade, investment and innovation. Accordingly, the two countries share common values ​​such as respect for international law, multilateralism and commitment to free trade. Today, the Netherlands is Vietnam's largest investment and trade partner in Europe.

“We are proud to support Vietnam’s ambition to build a high-tech, green and equitable economy. Our partnership — connecting government, business, knowledge institutions and NGOs — follows what we call the ‘Dutch Diamond’ model. This model reflects the deep trust and mutual respect that has shaped our friendship over many decades. The progress and strength of this relationship is a testament to the spirit of partnership that both countries have cultivated since those historic early days,” said Mr. Kees van Baar.

A historical milestone not only for Vietnam but also for the international community

According to Mr. Johan Ndisi, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam, the 50th anniversary of national reunification is a historical milestone not only for Vietnam but also for the international community.

"As the Swedish Ambassador, I am extremely honored to be in Ho Chi Minh City to witness this important commemorative event on April 30," said Mr. Johan Ndisi.

Over the past five decades, Vietnam has made remarkable progress in many areas, including economic development, social progress and international cooperation.

This anniversary is also an opportunity to reflect on the broader implications of peace and reconciliation, and to highlight the importance of international solidarity and cooperation in facing global challenges.

In 1969, amid the Vietnam War and profound global challenges, Sweden became the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. This decision reflects our enduring belief in peace, mutual respect and international solidarity, the Ambassador stressed.

“Sweden’s support is a testament to the strong friendship between our two countries — a relationship that remains vibrant to this day. Building on that shared history, we continue to strengthen our partnership in areas such as innovation, sustainable development and digital transformation,” said Johan Ndisi.

The implementation of the Vietnam – European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) further underscores Vietnam’s commitment to global integration, while opening up new opportunities for Sweden and EU member states to share expertise in areas such as innovation, digitalisation and green technology, the Ambassador added.

Recently, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Liberation of the South on April 30 and the reunification of the country, the Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a ceremony to present the documentary film "Victory Vietnam".

The Ambassador said that the documentary "Vietnam Victory" not only reflects a view of history; but also symbolizes the strong friendship between the two countries, as well as how cultural and historical memories can create lasting relationships between peoples.

The documentary, directed by Swedish director Bo Öhlén, captures the atmosphere on the streets of Stockholm, Sweden, on April 30, 1975, as news of Vietnam's reunification spread around the world.

"Through the director's lens, we see the solidarity and strong emotional connection that the Swedish people have for the Vietnamese people — reflecting the friendship and support that Sweden has given to Vietnam during a pivotal historical period," said Mr. Johan Ndisi.

By donating the film "Vietnam Victory" to the Vietnam Film Institute and ensuring that this work becomes part of the national archive, the Ambassador expressed his hope that future generations will continue to be inspired by it.

“It is touching and heartwarming to see the warm reception this documentary has received in Vietnam, with public screenings in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City touching the hearts of so many. It also reaffirms the deep historical ties and solidarity between Sweden and Vietnam, which continue to shape our strong and future-oriented partnership today,” said Mr. Johan Ndisi.

The milestone of two generations living together in a unified country

Polish Ambassador to Vietnam, Ms. Joanna Skoczek, commented that the event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day has special significance for the Vietnamese people, marking the milestone of two generations living together in a unified country.

She was particularly impressed with General Secretary To Lam's viewpoint in the article "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one". Quoting the General Secretary: "We cannot rewrite history, but we can plan the future. The past is to be remembered, to be grateful for and to learn lessons from. The future is to be built, created and developed together", the Ambassador assessed this as a statement with a vision towards the future, with universal value. She expressed her desire to witness Vietnam's upcoming development journey in the process of realizing the ambitious goals that the country has set.

As a diplomat and foreigner in Vietnam, Ambassador Joanna Skoczek said she was very impressed with the preparations for the important holiday, and expressed her honor to directly attend the upcoming Celebration with national leaders and international diplomatic delegations in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ambassador was moved by the eagerness and pride of the entire people, especially the youth, as the whole country prepared for the golden milestone – the 50th anniversary of National Reunification Day. The Polish Embassy in Vietnam is located near Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Memorial, where she has witnessed over the past few days groups of people of all ages – young couples, families, friends, soldiers – dressed in white and red ao dai or red T-shirts with a five-pointed yellow star, taking photos, recording videos and sharing the joy of celebrating the great holiday. The Ambassador hopes that other countries, including Poland, will also demonstrate the same patriotic spirit and positive, optimistic attitude on important historical anniversaries.

In 2025, Vietnam and Poland will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations - a significant milestone. Looking back on the 50-year journey since Vietnam's reunification, the Ambassador assessed that bilateral cooperation has been increasingly expanding, especially in the field of education and training, with thousands of Vietnamese students studying in Poland in the fields of engineering, shipbuilding, mining, geology, economics, etc., making an important contribution to the country's post-war reconstruction.

Extensive cultural cooperation between the two countries is exemplified by the contributions of Polish architect and conservation expert Kazimierz (Kazik) Kwiatkowski, who has contributed to the research and preservation of famous heritage sites such as the My Son complex, Hue citadel and Hoi An ancient town.

In recent times, scientific cooperation between the two countries has continued to be strengthened, with many universities participating in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence and knowledge economy cooperation.

Ambassador Joanna Skoczek described Vietnam as a country that “keeps people busy” — a vibrant, energetic destination where every day brings new opportunities for diplomats and the expatriate community. A vibrant economy, ongoing reforms, open partners, and a great tourist destination — all make Vietnam an exciting place to work. The number of tourists from Poland to Vietnam increased sharply in the first quarter of 2025, and this trend is expected to continue thanks to more favorable visa policies.

"Vietnam always has a sincere and trustworthy friend in Poland and the Polish people - we are always ready to support you in the development process and share experiences when necessary," the Ambassador emphasized./.

Thuy Dung-Thanh Thuy

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/nhung-ngay-thang-tu-lich-su-trong-cam-nhan-cua-cac-nha-ngoai-giao-quoc-te-10225042915142652.htm