Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Pitono Purnomo said the bilateral relationship has grown constantly since the two countries set up diplomatic ties 55 years ago. At the time, Indonesia was the fourth nation in the world and the first in Southeast Asia to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam.

The ambassador expressed his belief that the fine friendship between the two countries will continue to flourish in the future together along with the common development of ASEAN.

He affirmed that the ceremony offered a chance for the two countries to review the 55-year path they have gone through and further strengthen bilateral ties in all fields.

Tran Chien Thang, Vice President of the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association, said that over the past 55 years, Vietnam and Indonesia have witnessed strong developments in their various fields, especially in economics and trade.

Vietnam-Indonesia cooperation has been further strengthened thanks to each country’s active participation in ASEAN and other regional and international forums when Vietnam assumed the ASEAN Chair in 2010 and Indonesia is taking the post this year.