HCM City celebrates Indonesia’s 78th National Day

The event showcases the solidarity and friendship between the municipal people and those from Indonesia.

Upon addressing the event, Mai Ba Hung, president of the Vietnam - Indonesia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasised that both sides are neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia that boast many similarities in ethnicity and culture, especially with regard to their history in terms of the struggle for national independence.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations back in 1955, the comprehensive co-operation between the two countries has been continuously consolidated and developed comprehensively, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Political, diplomatic, economic, and trade relations between both sides has also made remarkable progress.

Defence and security co-operation is seeing positive developments, while due attention is also being given to linkages in other important fields, such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, aviation, culture, education – training, and tourism.

Hung said that on the 78th anniversary of Indonesia's National Day, the Vietnam - Indonesia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City had launched people-to-people exchange activities, such as a photo exhibition showcasing bilateral diplomatic relations and a contest to learn about joint diplomatic ties.

These activities have attracted the participation of many students and people of the southern city who are keen to make a contribution to deepening understanding, consolidating, and developing the relationship that exists between the two countries’ people.

Agustaviano Sofjan, Indonesian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, thanked the organisation for arranging the event, which shows that the friendship built between the two countries continues to be maintained.

The country is currently the only ASEAN member state with a strategic partnership agreement with Indonesia, which was signed back in 2013.

Relations between both sides are being strongly strengthened in trade - investment co-operation, as well as people-to-people exchanges through building cultural and educational ties.

At the meeting, the organisation awarded prizes to individuals who recorded high achievements in the competition on Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic ties, organised by the HUFO.