Indonesia’s 77th Independence Day celebrated in HCM City
The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on August 16 hosted a gathering to mark the 77th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day (August 17, 1945 – 2022), reflecting the solidarity and friendship between people of the two nations.
HCM City (VNA) – The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on August 16 hosted a gathering to mark the 77th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day (August 17, 1945 – 2022), reflecting the solidarity and friendship between people of the two nations.
In his welcoming remarks, Vice President of the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association’s HCM City chapter Nguyen Thanh Tuan said Vietnam and Indonesia are Southeast Asian neighbours that share a racial and cultural affinity and a history of struggling for independence.
Vietnam-Indonesia multifaceted ties have been constantly reinforced and expanded, he said, adding that the two countries have increased political closeness with high trust and more regular exchanges and meetings at all levels.
Their cooperation has also seen progress in the fields of not only politics and diplomacy, but also trade, investment, national defence and security, agriculture, fisheries, energy, aviation, culture, education and tourism.
By the end of 2021, Indonesia ranked 31st out of 116 countries and territories investing in HCM City, running 56 FDI projects worth over 41 million USD, Tuan continued. HCM City also remains the host of various economic, trade, cultural and educational activities between Vietnam and Indonesia.
Consul General of Indonesia in HCM City Agustaviano Sofjan said Vietnam and Indonesia share a time-tested relationship. Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1955, leaders and people of the two countries have nurtured and developed their bilateral relationship in all areas, and elevated it to a Strategic Partnership in 2013, he said.
Despite COVID-19, last year two-way trade reached 11.4 billion USD, topping the goal set by leaders of the two sides.
ꦚ The Indonesian diplomat pledged that the Consulate General of Indonesia will do its best to tighten bilateral relations through government-to-government, business-to-business, and people-to-people cooperation. It also plans to ramp up cultural and educational exchanges to foster friendship and solidarity between the two countries' people./.
Indonesia’s textile and garment industry will expand its markets to meet the export target of 13-14 billion USD this year, according to the country’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.
Over 230 servicemen from the Singapore and Indonesian navies gathered in a six-day bilateral military exercise starting on August 11, which aims to strengthen their coordination ability to counter underwater threats.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
An art performance at the event (Photo: VNA) 
