AT THE RECEPTION GIVEN TO THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS

ON THE NATIONAL DAY. SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

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Ambassadors, Charges d’Affaires, Chief representatives of international organizations in Hà Nội,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Comrades and friends,

On behalf of the Government and people of Việt Nam, I warmly welcome all distinguished guests, comrades and friends to this cordial reception on the occasion of the 64 th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam.

In the autumn of 1945, under the leadership of President Hồ Chí Minh and the Communist Party of Việt Nam, the Vietnamese people carried out the great August Revolution to abolish the colonist and feudal domination and regain their mastership over the country. At the peak of those glorious days, on September 2, 1945, President Hồ Chí Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence to found the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, opening a new era for the Vietnamese nation – the era of independence, freedom and social progress.

Over the past 64 years, the people of Việt Nam have bravely and resiliently overcome numerous difficulties and hardships to seize national independence, freedom, and national reunification as well as develop the country more and more prosperous. Particularly, achievements gained in the cause of renovation prove that Việt Nam is not only a nation with heroic history and thousand-year civilization but also a dynamic and potential country successfully integrating into the world and steadily marching on into the new epoch.

In the solemn atmosphere of this great celebration, on behalf of the Government and people of Việt Nam, I would like to thank governments and peoples all over the worlds, ambassadors, charges d’affaires, and chief representatives of international organizations for their good sentiments, valuable supports and effective cooperation for our people and country over the past years.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Comrades and friends,

Over the past year, like many countries in the world, Việt Nam has faced serious negative impacts caused by the global financial crisis and economic recession. The Government and people of Việt Nam have made great efforts and adopted consistent solutions and policies to maintain macro-economic stability, curb and prevent inflation, and guarantee social security. We have continued to obtain a fairly high economic growth rate, 6.2% in 2008 and estimated to stand around 5-5.2% this year and higher in 2010, about 6.5%. The Vietnamese Government has been also taking fundamental measures to pay the way for rapid and sustainable development in the following years. We strongly believe that Việt Nam will continue to be an active, trustworthy and attractive partner of the international community.

I am glad to see that, over the past time, relations between Việt Nam and the international community have experienced many new positive changes. Việt Nam’s relations with all countries and partners have been further cemented and deepened. Việt Nam has been proactively taking part in many regional and international forums; making significant contributions to the realization of the ASEAN Charter and the construction of the ASEAN Community; undertaking the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council; proactively enhancing the Asia-Europe cooperation by successfully hosting the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAM Education Ministers’ Meeting in Hà Nội. In the time to come, Việt Nam will see many important events, including its take-over of the ASEAN Presidency and the millennium of Thăng Long-Hà Nội in 2010. The Communist Party of Việt Nam will convene its 11 th National Congress in early 2011 and is designing the Socio-economic Development Strategy for the next decade in order to accelerate the cause of industrialization and modernization for the sake of rapid and sustainable development as well as for a powerful socialist Vietnamese country of wealthy population, democracy, equality and civilization.

On its path of development and integration, while making full use of its internal resources, Việt Nam hopes to receive greater support, assistance and cooperation from international friends. I hope that ambassadors, charges d’affaires, and chief representatives of international organizations will continue to be “solid bridges” for the increasingly consolidated relationship between the international community and Việt Nam, so as to bring all countries and nations closer in a world of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development.

         In this spirit, I would like to invite distinguished guests, comrades and friends to raise your glasses:

         Wish the people and country of Việt Nam greater success on its path to prosperity and happiness;

         Wish the friendship and cooperation between Việt Nam and other countries and international organizations further consolidated and strengthened;

         Wish all of you good health and happiness.