Seoul (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (RoK)on August 29 held a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary ofNational Day (September 2) and the 25th anniversary of diplomaticrelations between the two countries.

The event was attended by RoK Minister of Interior and Safety Kim Boo-kyum, RoKDeputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, representatives from foreignembassies and international organisations in the host country, RoK-Vietnamfriendship association, and Vietnamese people in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Turecalled the country’s historical milestones, including when President Ho ChiMinh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square 72 years ago,officially giving birth to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The seven-decade road has seen Vietnamese people’s efforts to protect nationalfreedom and independence and promote national construction, he said.

He expressed his delight that Vietnam has become a middle income country andexperiences average annual economic growth of about 7 percent.

The country has diplomatic ties with more than 170 nations worldwide and is aproactive member of many international organisations, Tu said, adding thatVietnam is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2017.

Vietnam cherishes relations with the RoK, he said, stating that similarities inculture and history as well as economic support and efforts made by the twopeoples have created a basis to bolster bilateral relations.

The RoK is currently the largest foreign investor and second largest tradepartner of Vietnam, Tu underlined, saying that some 150,000 Vietnamese people currentlylive and work in the East Asian nation and some 150,000 RoK nationals are inVietnam.

Lauding Vietnam’s achievements in the past seven decades, Deputy Minister ofForeign Affairs Cho Hyun mentioned success both sides have gained after establishingdiplomatic relations, particularly the upgrade of bilateral relations to astrategic partnership in 2009.

Besides political, diplomatic and economic activities, people-to-peopleexchanges between the two countries have been thriving as well, he added.

He also mentioned the meeting between President Moon Jae-in and Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc in Hamburg, Germany in July on the sidelines of the G-20Summit. He said that the RoK leader will attend the APEC Summit in Da Nang cityin November.

The RoK will make further efforts to promote relations between the twocountries, he noted.

During the ceremony, Vietnamese and RoK artists delivered performances,featuring traditional culture of both sides.-VNA