Ambassador Vu Van Dung speaking at the event (Photo: VNA)
The event had the participation of over 400 visitors, who are South African politicians, members of the diplomatic corps, scholars and representatives of the overseas Vietnamese community in the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung highlighted Vietnam's great achievements since September 2nd, 1945.
He said that in the first six months of 2019, despite the impacts of difficulties in the region and world, Vietnam's GDP growth still reached 6.76%.
In addition, since January 2019, Vietnam has become the 7th country to implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and in June, Vietnam and the EU signed the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
He added that over the past year, Vietnam's diplomacy has left many impacts, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena. Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2020-2021 with a record high vote of 192/193.
On this occasion, Mr. Phi Anil Sooklal, Deputy Head of the Department of Asia and Middle East under South Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, congratulated the government and people of Vietnam on the 74th anniversary of the National Day. He also wished Vietnam to continue to step steadily on the path chosen by President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Vietnam.
He stressed that South Africa always considered Vietnam a model to follow and thanked to the Vietnamese people, who have always stood by and supported the people of South Africa throughout the process of combating racism in previous time, as well as during the process of construction of a democratic nation today.
In addition, South Africa should learn from Vietnam in the process of development to become a phenomenon, one of the most dynamic and efficient economies in the region and in the world.
Mr. Sooklal hoped that Vietnam will continue to support South Africa in training marine students as well as sharing successful experiences in the field of exploitation of seafood and fishing.
At the event, the delegates enjoyed Vietnam’s traditional music and dishes.
Vietnam and South Africa established diplomatic relations in 1993./.