The 77th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

 On the evening of September 2, 2022, the 77th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was solemnly held at Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo (Japan). Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan H.E. Vu Hong Nam presided over the ceremony.

 Attending the ceremony were H.E. Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Association, H.E. Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, President of Komeito, H.E. Mr. Takei Shunsuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Suzuki Norikazu, Acting Head of LDP Youth Division and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, Ministries and Japanese organizations, members of the Vietnamese community in Japan.

 

 

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam delivered a speech at the Commemoration Ceremony 

H.E. Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, President of Komeito made a speech 

Ambassador Vu Hong Nam also highlighted the good relationship between Vietnam and Japan, reviewed important milestones in the relationship between the two countries and emphasized that the two countries' relations are developing stronger than ever. 

Representatives of the Japanese side also sent greetings to the Party, State and people of Vietnam on the occasion of National Day, highly valued the development of Vietnam over the years, and reaffirmed that the development of Vietnam plays a great role to promoting peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world. Regarding the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, the delegates said that the relationship between the two countries has seen in-depth growth in many fields, especially in defense, security, economy, cultural and foreign relations. The comprehensive and extensive strategic partnership between the two countries is highly valued and promoted by the leaders of the two countries.

Guests attending the Celebration enjoyed a concert performed by the Tokyo Sinfonia Orchestra.

Below are the full remarks made by H.E. Ambassador Vu Hong Nam at the ceremony: 

Speech by H.E. Mr. Ambassador VU HONG NAM

at the 77^th Anniversary of the National Day of the S.R. of Viet Nam

- H.E. Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Association,

- H.E. Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, President of Komeito,

- H.E. Mr. Takei Shunsuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, 

- H.E. Mr Suzuki Norikazu, Acting Head of LDP Youth Division,

- Diplomatic Corps, 

- Distinguished guests, 

- Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

First of all, I would like to warmly welcome all of you for being here today to celebrate the 77^th Anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Your presence here today is particularly meaningful to us, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

77 years ago, on September 2^nd 1945, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming before the nation and the world the birth of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam – the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam today. 

Over the past 77 years, the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, have tirelessly strived in order to defend independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national self-determination, and the freedom and happiness for the people while actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. Particularly in implementation of the Doi Moi, renewal policy, thanks to the invaluable and effective assistance of our international friends, Viet Nam has achieved historic milestones in every area.

From having been one of the most under-developed countries, Viet Nam has become a middle-income developing country, recognized by the United Nations as one of the leading countries in realizing the MDGs. The life of people has constantly improved. The business and investment environment becomes more favorable. Political and social stability are maintained, defense and security are upheld, foreign relations and international integration grow broader and deeper. 

Viet Nam’s development is inseparable from a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world. Viet Nam is a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community and hopes to join hands with other countries to foster globalization and international integration, working towards a world of sustainable and inclusive development.

 

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Viet Nam and Japan established diplomatic relations on 21st September 1973. During the past nearly five decades, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has developed both in breadth and depth. In 2014, Vietnam and Japan set up the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral relations. Next year 2023, Viet Nam and Japan will commemorate 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

In April 2022, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio made an official visit to Vietnam. Five months earlier, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Japan. Two consecutive high-level visits within 5 months, especially in the context of the complicated development of Covid-19, are clear evidences of a new prosperous phase of the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia, in the spirit of “strong sentiment, honesty, trustworthiness, substantiveness and efficiency” as agreed by the two senior leaders. Viet Nam-Japan relations have never been stronger and the future looks very bright indeed.

Given time constraints, I just want to particularly highlight some of the most significant achievements in bilateral cooperation.

Japan is the largest ODA supplier to Viet Nam. The country ranks third in FDI and is Viet Nam’s fourth biggest trade partner with a balanced trade that harmonizes benefits for both countries. 

Cooperation on human resources development has also make significant progress.Currently, there are approximately 430.000 Vietnamese people in Japan, making Vietnamese community the second biggest foreign community in Japan, contributing to the socio-economic development in both countries and further promoting people-to-people connectivity.

Cooperation in defense, security, education, human resources, health, culture, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries also flourished, becoming bright, colorful flowers in the Vietnam-Japan friendship flower garden. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, Japan provided a total of 7.35 million doses of vaccines as well as a large amount of medical equipment to help Viet Nam response to the unprecedented pandemic. 

There is a Vietnamese saying “fire tests gold, adversity tests the brave”. History has proven that during hardship, challenge and adversity, the spirit of solidarity, mutual assistance and empathy shall be the panacea against the pandemic.

I am confident that together, Viet Nam-Japan shall emerge victorious. The dawn of a normal life will soon return following the Covid-19 pandemic and bilateral relations will continue to develop strongly, firmly and substantively in the coming time, towards the 50^thanniversary of the establishment of the Viet Nam-Japan diplomatic relations.

 

Distinguished guests,

 Ladies and Gentlemen, 

 

In the joyful atmosphere of the 77^th Anniversary of the National Day of Viet Nam, I would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for your valuable support and cooperation over the years. 

As I am completing my Ambassadorial tenure, I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude and sincerest thanks to all my colleagues and friends for the warm friendship and whole-hearted cooperation and support that you have generously extended to me. It has been a great honor of my life to serve as Viet Nam’s Ambassador in Japan. 

I would like to thank Vietnamese community in Japan for being the messengers that have helped connect our two nations through their exchanges. 

I would like to pay tribute to my Japanese friends all over Japan, those I have met and those I would like to meet but have not been able to do so over the past few years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, for their support and friendship during my Ambassadorship in Tokyo. 

My gratitude also goes to my friends in the Diplomatic Corps, especially ASEAN Ambassadors, who have supported me to fulfill my Ambassadorship over the past four years. 

It is always hard to say goodbye but unfortunately, that is what diplomatic life is all about. I am leaving Tokyo for Ha Noi with wonderful and unforgettable sentiments and memories of all my friends whom I have met in Japan, a country that is very close to my heart. I believe we will meet again somewhere in the future.

To end my speech, I wish all of you a wonderful and unforgettable evening, enjoying a charming, romantic musical programme selected by Music Director Robert Ryker and performed by Tokyo Sinfonia. I hope that this special ceremony celebrating our 77^th National Day of Viet Nam will contribute to deepen your love for classical music and enrich the long-lasting friendship between Viet Nam and Japan. 

I wish you all my very best.

Doomo

どうも

 Arigato

ありがとう

gozaimashita

ございました！

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