80th National Day: Vietnam contributes to the "symphony of nations"

Vietnam is not only a reliable partner but also an active and responsible member of the international community, and is determined to contribute more and more to the "symphony of nations".

That was the affirmation of Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang, at the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025) and the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025), solemnly held on the evening of September 12 (local time) in the capital Paris, France.

80 năm Quốc khánh: Việt Nam đóng góp cho “bản hòa tấu của các dân tộc”

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang, Permanent Representative of the President to the Council of the Francophone (CPF) and the International Organization of the Francophone (OIF). (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)

According to a VNA reporter in Paris, the ceremony attracted nearly 1,000 officials and guests, including Secretary General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne-Marie Descôtes, Advisor to the French President for Asia Julie Le Saos, Ambassador-Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Vietnam Tourism Ambassador to France Anoa Suzanne Dussol Perran, and representatives of central and local agencies, French political parties, international organizations, friendship and cooperation associations with Vietnam.

In his opening speech, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang recalled the event of President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam - an event considered a "historic turning point" and "the rise of an entire nation determined to take control of its destiny".

The Ambassador stressed that the 80th anniversary of National Day is not only an occasion to look back at the past, but also a commitment to the future. Accordingly, by 2045, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of independence, Vietnam aims to become a developed, powerful, prosperous and happy country.

In the coming time, Vietnam will continue to fully fulfill its international responsibilities, actively contribute to major issues of the time, and share experiences in sustainable development.

Reviewing the highlights of the Vietnam-France relationship in recent times, including the upgrading of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the official visit of General Secretary To Lam (who was also the President at that time) in November 2024; the visit to Vietnam by President Emmanuel Macron in May 2025, followed by the visit to France by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in June 2025, the Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam welcomes France's increasingly deep engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, sharing the aspiration to build an open, inclusive, peaceful region, based on international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation agreements between Vietnamese and French enterprises in June 2025. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

In addition, cooperation between Vietnam and international organizations based in Paris has been increasingly expanded. The visit last June by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, strengthening the organization’s support for Vietnam in preserving and promoting heritage.

Similarly, Vietnam’s participation within the framework of the Francophone Community has been increasingly enhanced, as demonstrated by the active participation of National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh at the 50th Session of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly in Paris last July. Meanwhile, as Co-Chair of the Southeast Asia Regional Programme of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the 2022-2025 term, Vietnam has worked with its partners to make this Programme a pillar of regional cooperation, with a long-term, substantive and appropriate vision.

Finally, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed his pride and honor to accompany the Vietnamese community in France - those who, from the very beginning, accompanied Nguyen Ai Quoc - President Ho Chi Minh and the nation, contributing to the glory and position of the country today and embodying the Vietnamese identity, preserving the tradition, language and cultural values of the nation, thereby contributing to spreading the image of the country and preparing for future generations.

Speaking at a congratulatory speech to Vietnam on the anniversary of two major historical events, Secretary General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne-Marie Descôtes assessed that the diplomatic relationship between the two countries will have turned 50 years in 2023, but 2024-2025 will truly be a "golden milestone" with two high-level visits and the upgrading of relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, thereby making France the only country in the European Union (EU) to have this status.

Considering this an unprecedented development, clearly reflecting that Vietnam is entering a new phase in the international arena, with a strong modernization process and ambitious domestic reforms and goals, Ms. Descôtes affirmed that France wishes to accompany Vietnam through strategic cooperation in key areas such as transportation, health, energy, and space.

A French diplomatic official said that a business delegation led by Business France and MEDEF International is currently in Vietnam to promote bilateral economic relations. This is a very positive signal, because the two countries "absolutely can" and "need to do better" to strengthen economic cooperation.

According to Ms. Descôtes, strengthening France-Vietnam relations in all fields has special significance in the context of a tense and uncertain world.

Recalling French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks at the Shangri La Dialogue in June, in which Europe and Asia – with the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) playing a key role – are now the two pillars in defending international trade and rules-based multilateralism, Ms. Descôtes stressed that, more than ever, the two countries need to unite to defend these common principles.

The Secretary General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs acknowledged and appreciated Vietnam's strong commitment to environmental and climate issues, and affirmed that what creates the durability and cohesion in the relationship between the two countries is people-to-people exchange.

According to Ms. Descôtes, the Vietnamese and Vietnamese-origin community in France - the second largest in the world after the United States - has contributed to shaping a unique relationship, rich in cultural, intellectual, academic, medical and scientific cooperation. This flow of migration and exchange also helps to consolidate the Francophone space.

The celebration of the 80th anniversary of National Day and the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution in France was followed by a special art program with melodies and performances imbued with Vietnamese culture. In addition, guests also enjoyed many traditional dishes imbued with the flavors of their homeland.

These cultural and culinary experiences not only leave a deep impression, but also contribute to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people to French and international friends.

According to Vietnamplus.vn

https://www.vietnamplus.vn/80-nam-quoc-khanh-viet-nam-dong-gop-cho-ban-hoa-tau-cua-cac-dan-toc-post1061612.vnp

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/80-nam-quoc-khanh-viet-nam-dong-gop-cho-ban-hoa-tau-cua-cac-dan-toc-216281.html