Present at the meeting were provincial leaders, war veterans, leaders of provincial departments and organisations, as well as heroes of the armed forces, labour heroes, and heroic Vietnamese mothers, together with thousands of local people.

Addressing the event, Dao Tan Loc, Secretary of the Phu Yen provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Phu Yen provincial People’s Council, highlighted glorious military victories in Phu Yen which ultimately led to the liberation of the south and national unification.

He noted that during the war, about 13,300 people from Phu Yen laid down their lives for national independence and more than 5,300 others were injured.

Since 1975 when the province was liberated, it has developed a modern economy, with industry and construction accounting for 34 percent, service, 36 percent, and agro-forestry, 30 percent of its total GDP. The local living standard has improved considerably, with per capita income reaching VND13 million per year in 2009.

Mr Loc called on local people to promote unity and build Phu Yen into a powerful economic centre and a major gate to the central Highlands.

Fireworks were let off at three locations in Phu Yen to celebrate the historic event.