Vietnam, Greece mark 50 years of diplomatic ties with commemorative events
A series of events have been held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Greece.
Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Thi Thu Huong (fourth from right) and other participants in the screening of a documentary about President Ho Chi Minh on May 19 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Gr🐓eece has held pre🧸ss conferences in Athens and Thessaloniki on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Thi Thu Huong announced a series of events to mark the milestone, including the launch of a documentary in Greek, English, and Vietnamese. Produced by the embassy, the film highlights the 50-year journey of the friendly ties, emphasising the Greek people’s affection for Vietnam along with the historical and cultural similarities that have fostered deep mutual understanding.
During the press conferences, a logo commemorating the 50th anniversary was unveiled. Designed with symbolic elements like Vietnam’s legendary Lac bird and Greece’s classical columns, and incorporating the red and yellow of Vietnam’s national flag with the blue and white of Greece’s, the logo is said to reflect cultural harmony despite the geographical distance.
The events also included the official launch of a Greek-language biography of President Ho Chi Minh and a Vietnamese film week in Athens and Thessaloniki from May 11 to 20. Films screened with English and Greek subtitles were noted to bring Vietnamese cinema closer to Greek audiences.
These initiatives were carried out by the Vietnamese Embassy in collaboration with Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Film Institute, the Hanoi Radio and Television Station, and Velissarios Kossivakis, a member of the Communist Party of Greece. Screenings took place at New Star Art Cinema and Cine Vakoura.
Updates on Vietnam’s socio-economic development and multifaceted cooperation with Greece were also shared with journalists.
The press conferences garnered significant coverage from major Greek media outlets, including Greek Radio, Athens-Macedonian News Agency, and To Vima./.
Vietnam and Greece have maintained bilateral cooperation in various fields such as education and training, healthcare, economy and trade, sports, culture, archaeology, labour, and maritime affairs, with various agreements signed so far.
Together with the recent release of a Greek-language biography of President Ho Chi Minh, the film screening honours the genius leader of Vietnam’s revolution, a national liberation hero, a world cultural icon, and a close friend of all peoples who have fought for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress across the globe.
The film week offers nine feature and documentary films which reflect the history, culture, land, and people of Vietnam, and many of them have won national and international awards.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
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.
