Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien speaks at the meeting. (Photo: Bao Giang)

Speaking at the meeting, on behalf of the leaders of the Party, State and Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chairman Do Van Chien expressed his deep gratitude for the good sentiments, enthusiastic support and noble international solidarity that international friends have given to Vietnam in the two resistance wars for national independence and reunification, as well as in the cause of innovation, construction and protection of the Fatherland today.

He affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always keep in mind the noble international solidarity and valuable support of international friends during the most difficult and arduous years; becoming an important part of the history of the Vietnamese nation in the struggle for independence and freedom as well as in the movement for peace, justice and reason around the world.

Mr. Do Van Chien said that after 50 years of unification and nearly 40 years of renovation, Vietnam has achieved many outstanding achievements in economy, society, politics and diplomacy. Those achievements are proof of the correctness of the path of building the country in the direction of socialism that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have chosen.

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien Do Van Chien (left) talks with international friends at the meeting. (Photo: Bao Giang)

In the context of the world undergoing many changes, the need to prevent conflicts and wars, to build a world of peace, equitable and sustainable development has become an urgent requirement and a fervent aspiration of progressive humanity around the world. The Vietnamese people cherish and always uphold the values ​​of peace, the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law on respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of nations; not to use force or threaten to use force in international relations and to resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law.

Vietnam hopes that friends around the world will continue to promote the spirit of noble international solidarity, support and assist Vietnam on the path of protecting, building and developing the country; and hopes that international friends, especially friends from the United States, will continue to accompany the Party, State and people of Vietnam to join hands to overcome and resolve the consequences of war in the spirit of closing the past and looking towards the future.

"With a consistent stance as a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam always adheres to the goal of peace, national independence, democracy and social progress, and together with other countries maintains an environment of peace, friendship and cooperation for development in the region and the world," Mr. Do Van Chien emphasized.

Mr. Phan Anh Son, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, spoke at the meeting. (Photo: People's Army Newspaper)

At the meeting, international delegates shared their precious feelings towards President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people; memories of April 30, 1975 and the great significance of this victory for the peace and national liberation movement of the world's people. The delegates also affirmed the important role of world people's solidarity in the struggle for peace, justice and international solidarity.

Mr. Phan Anh Son, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, expressed his respect and deep gratitude for the support and companionship of friends and progressive people around the world for the Vietnamese people. He affirmed that the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations will continue to contribute to promoting and nurturing the spirit of solidarity between the Vietnamese people and the people of the world to always be a great source of strength, contributing to creating new miracles in the new era, the era of the Vietnamese people's rise.

Ms. Alicia Corredera Morales, Director of the Department of Asia and Oceania, Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples: The victory of April 30 is the common joy of the peoples fighting for justice. Ms. Alicia Corredera Morales speaks at the meeting. (Photo: Bao Giang) I studied at Hanoi University and witnessed and experienced the intense emotions of the historic victory on April 30, 1975. At noon that day, exactly at 11:30, the Voice of Vietnam radio station broadcast a special news bulletin announcing that the liberation army had entered Saigon and the Independence Palace, the puppet government's General Staff and Duong Van Minh declared unconditional surrender. The red flag with a yellow star flew on the roof of the Independence Palace. The Ho Chi Minh campaign had been completely victorious. The entire university hall burst into choking hugs. Everyone understood that: "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one". But the best memory of that April 30th was the image of a group of Cuban students in Hanoi rushing to the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake with guitars, tumbadora drums and trumpets. We walked around the lake to the vibrant music. The people of Hanoi were initially surprised by the strange dance, but then joined in the joyful clapping. It was the common language of victory. For Cuba, April 30 is not only the victory of the Vietnamese people but also the common joy of all peoples fighting for justice.

Mr. John McAuliff, Executive Director of the Foundation for Reconciliation and Development, USA: From Confrontation to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Mr. John McAuliff speaks at the meeting. (Photo: Bao Giang) Fifty years ago, who could have imagined that we would witness a developed Vietnam like today or that enemies who once faced each other in war could become Comprehensive Strategic Partners after only three decades. In the 30 years since the normalization of relations, Vietnam and the United States have witnessed a strong growth in bilateral trade thanks to economic reforms brought about by Doi Moi, a significant expansion in educational exchanges, and the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both countries remain steadfast in their commitment to maintaining the adjacent seas as a region of peace, mutual respect, and freedom of navigation.

Mr. Pallab Sengupta, President of the World Peace Council: From symbol of liberation to model of development Mr. Pallab Sengupta spoke at the meeting. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Law Newspaper) Vietnam's struggle inspired national liberation movements around the world. It demonstrated that even the mightiest empires could be defeated, that national sovereignty was not given but had to be won through struggle. For peoples in Asia, Africa and Latin America, Vietnam became a symbol of hope. Vietnam demonstrated that determination and solidarity could break the chains of colonialism and bring freedom to a people. But Vietnam’s story did not end in 1975. Over the past 50 years, your country has risen from the ashes of war to become one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. Thanks to the Doi Moi reforms launched in 1986, Vietnam has modernized while preserving its core values. Today, Vietnam is a model of development, with strong industry, improved health care and education, and an increasingly powerful voice in international affairs. More importantly, Vietnam remains steadfast on the path of peace. Through diplomacy, regional cooperation and global peacekeeping, Vietnam continues to uphold the principles it fought to defend: independence, unity and international solidarity. As Vietnam commemorates this momentous milestone, the country sends a powerful message: the past was built on sacrifice, the present is the result of resilience, and the future will be shaped by peace and development.

Mr. Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries: Vietnam - China are forever comrades, forever brothers Mr. Vien Man Dao spoke at the meeting. (Photo: People's Army Newspaper) At this historic moment of celebrating the great victory, we, as "comrades and brothers", share the joy and send our warmest congratulations and highest respect to the heroic Vietnamese people! In the struggle for national salvation, independence and freedom, the Chinese and Vietnamese people fought side by side, supported and helped each other, and wrote a wonderful poem of friendship. President Ho Chi Minh carried out revolutionary activities in China for 12 years and was always enthusiastically supported by the Chinese Party and people. During the resistance wars against France and the US, China sent military and political advisors to fully support and aid Vietnam's just cause. "The close Vietnam-China relationship, both comrades and brothers" built by the two countries' predecessors, is being continued and passed down. As General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping pointed out, the foundation of Vietnam-China relations lies in the people, the bloodline lies in the people, the strength lies in the people. We have actively promoted the special role of people-to-people diplomacy, maintained friendly relations, closely cooperated with friendship organizations such as the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam-China Friendship Association, and together built branded friendship activities such as the Meeting of Friendship Scholars and Young Generations of Vietnam and China, the Vietnam-China People's Forum, the Vietnam-China Border People's Festival, and the Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Meeting, contributing to promoting the friendship between the two nations to grow stronger. The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries will continue to cooperate with all sectors and circles of Vietnam to implement the common perception of the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, contributing to promoting the building of a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of strategic significance, together protecting peace and development in the region and the world.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-luon-ghi-nho-va-tri-an-su-ung-ho-giup-do-quy-bau-cua-ban-be-quoc-te-213134.html