Chairman of the Switzerland - Vietnam Friendship Association: Proud to witness Vietnam's rise after 80 years of National Day

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), Ms. Anjuska Marija Weil, President of the Switzerland - Vietnam Friendship Association, shared her emotions when witnessing the country where she once fought for peace and independence with international friends, now developing strongly and increasingly connecting with Switzerland.

In an interview with VNA reporters in Switzerland, Ms. Anjuska Weil said that she has always followed every step of Vietnam's development since gaining independence. "After two resistance wars, Vietnam suffered a lot of losses and then you were embargoed. That was a time when you encountered many difficulties. But after all, you persevered on the path you chose and achieved the results you have today. From this perspective, I and my comrades in the past have the right to feel proud. Hopefully, Vietnam will continue to develop further in the future," she said.

Ms. Anjuska Marija Weil (2nd from left), President of the Switzerland - Vietnam Friendship Association. (Photo: VNA)

She also emphasized new developments in Vietnam-Switzerland relations, especially through recent high-level activities such as the meeting between General Secretary To Lam and Swiss President Viola Amherd (2024), the working trip of the Vietnamese high-level delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Davos or the visit to Switzerland by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man . The two countries' upgrading of relations to Comprehensive Partnership and Vietnam's 45-day visa exemption for Swiss citizens were assessed by her as "an opportunity to strongly promote cultural exchange and people-to-people cooperation".

Since its establishment, the Switzerland - Vietnam Friendship Association has carried out many practical activities, contributing to enhancing understanding and connection between the people of the two countries. Typical activities include: introducing the image of the country and people of Vietnam to the Swiss public; implementing humanitarian and micro-credit projects; improving healthcare and education ; supporting victims of Agent Orange; sponsoring Binh Minh School to teach Vietnamese in Zurich... In particular, "Vietnam Solidarity Day" has become an annual event attracting a large Vietnamese community in Switzerland, an opportunity to exchange, connect and strengthen friendship.

The Association also maintains close cooperative relations with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the Vietnamese Embassy in Bern and the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, the WTO and many other international organizations in Geneva.

Ms. Anjuska Marija Weil expressed her hope that the Vietnam - Switzerland relationship will be further strengthened and developed, and affirmed that the Switzerland - Vietnam Friendship Association as well as herself will continue to make long-term, sustainable contributions to fostering and developing the friendship between the two countries.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/chu-tich-hoi-huu-nghi-thuy-si-viet-nam-tu-hao-chung-kien-viet-nam-vuon-minh-sau-80-nam-quoc-khanh-215552.html