Full text of His Excellency Pham Anh Tuan Ambassador of Vietnam’s speech:
Good Evening,
Your Excellency Saladuddin Chaudhry, Pakistani former Ambassador to Vietnam, The Chief Guest of the Vietnam National Day ceremony.
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It’s my honor to welcome you here today to the celebration of the 79th National Day anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to you all for honoring us with the gift of your time and your presence on this very significant event in our country’s history.
On September 2nd, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh, the great leader of Viet Nam, read out the immortal Declaration of Independence, giving birth to a new Viet Nam – the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, which is now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. At that very moment, Vietnam was named on the world map. Vietnam has entered a new era – the era of national independence, the era the Vietnamese people became the real masters of their country, society and their own destinies.
Over the past 79 years, the people of Vietnam have devoted their lives, efforts and wisdom towards national independence, freedom and happiness for all the people of Vietnam.
After 40 years of Renovation period (Đổi mới), Vietnam has gained great achievements of historic significance. From a once impoverished and backward country, Vietnam has risen out of socio-economic crisis to become a middle-income developing one. The lives of the people have improved greatly, its socio-political situation has stabilized; its independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity have been maintained; its external relations have been expanded and Vietnam’s prestige and position have been enhanced in the international arena. Vietnam has so far, established diplomatic relations with 193 countries. Among these, Vietnam has established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with 6 countries, Strategic Partnership with 17 countries and Comprehensive Partnership with 13 countries.
In trade and investment, Vietnam has cooperation with 220 countries and territories. Vietnam is an active member of nearly 70 international and regional organizations such as the UN, WTO, ASEAN, APEC just to mention a few. Vietnam has been proactively integrating itself into the global economy and at the same time expanding international cooperation in many areas.
In 2023, Vietnam’s GDP was 430 billion USD, GDP growth rate increased 5.8 %; Income per Capital gained 4300 USD. In the Agricultural Industry, Vietnam has become the largest exporter of pepper and cashew nut in the world, and the second largest exporter of rice with more than 7.1 million tons of rice valued at about 4 billion USD.
Today, Vietnam is known as a developing economy, a country with stable political environment, colorful culture, and friendly people. We would like to be friends with all countries and peoples who love peace, freedom and friendship. We seek to resolve disputes between countries by negotiation and by international law.
Despite our development achievements, Vietnam constantly seeks increased cooperation and support from friends and the international communities. Therefore, I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of Vietnam’s international friends, of whom, your Excellencies present here tonight are the representatives, for the invaluable support and assistance provided to Vietnam for over nearly eight decades.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It has now been 52 years since the day Vietnam and Pakistan established the diplomatic relation. Over the past 52 years, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries has been developed in multi faceted factors such as politics, economic cooperation, trading relations. We also share a common interest in developing our countries and integrating into the regions and the world for the benefit of our people.
Nowadays, bilateral trade relations between the two countries emerges as one of the most outstanding fields of the cooperation The two-way trade volume between Viet Nam and Pakistan reached 705 million US dollars in 2023 and within the first six months of 2024, this volume is approximately 402 million, an increase of 28% compared to the same period last year. It is expected to reach 900 million US dollars in 2024. Beside this, the number of delegation exchanges for business and visits has been increasing year by year. The two countries have signed a number of treaties and agreements, which create legal framework for further promoting the cooperation for mutual interest. Our cooperative mechanism includes the Joint Intergovernmental Committee, Trade Commission, and Bilateral Political Consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
In order to raise the trading relation, I suggest the two sides may coordinate to hold the activities of promotion of trade and investment such as trade fairs, exhibition, forum, exploration… I welcome and will do the utmost to create favorable conditions for all businessmen of Pakistan doing business with Vietnam, especially in the fields of cotton, production of pharmaceutical, surgical instruments and information technology which are the strengths of Pakistan. Vietnam has strengths in exporting tea, rubber, pepper, dry nuts, textile products, chemical products… that Pakistan may be interested in.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On this occasion, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to all of you for the valuable support and cooperation that you have extended to Viet Nam. I believe that the potential of development between Vietnam and Pakistan remains high, and the Embassy of Vietnam in Pakistan will continue to work closely with Pakistani friends to expand this relationship.
In a joyful atmosphere of celebrating the 79th anniversary of Viet Nam National Day, I wish the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Pakistan continue to flourish. May I wish all of you good health and happiness.
Thank you very much!
