Delegates perform a ceremony to celebrate the anniversary. (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

On August 16, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO), in collaboration with the Vietnam - Indonesia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, held a meeting to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Indonesia (August 17, 1945 - August 17, 2022).

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia has been continuously consolidated and developed more comprehensively and deeply, both bilaterally and multilaterally. Political relations are increasingly connected, achieving high trust.

Vietnam and Indonesia have coordinated and supported each other at multilateral organizations and forums, contributing to strengthening ASEAN's solidarity and central role, maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development regionally as well as globally. Economic and trade cooperation has grown tremendously; defense and security cooperation has developed actively. Cooperation in other important fields such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, aviation, culture, education – training and tourism have also received special attention.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Indonesia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Thanh Tuan also said that by 2021, Indonesia had 56 projects in Ho Chi Minh City, worth more than USD41 million, ranking 31st out of 116 countries and territories in the city, including successful start-up projects in the fields of services and tourism. Ho Chi Minh City is also the venue for many economic - commercial activities, cultural and educational events between Vietnam and Indonesia.

Sharing the history of Indonesian independence, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia to Ho Chi Minh City Agustaviano Sofjan emphasized that Indonesia and Vietnam have a long-standing traditional relationship and have similarities in culture and the history of the struggle for independence.

According to Mr. Agustaviano Sofjan, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, the relationship between the two countries has been nurtured and developed by the leaders and peoples of the two countries in all fields and elevated to the level of a Strategic Partnership in 2013. Economic - trade relations between the two countries are developing with stable growth. In 2021, the total two-way trade turnover between the two countries reached USD11.4 billion, exceeding the set plan./.