Flag hoisting ceremony celebrates ASEAN’s 51st anniversary

On August 8, a flag raising ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hanoi to mark 23 years of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership and 51st anniversary of ASEAN founding anniversary.

Those in attendance at the ceremony included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN embassies and ASEAN partners in Hanoi.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh highlighted ASEAN’s long way over half a century, which witnessed its sustained efforts to overcome conflicts, pision and poverty to become a successful model of peace.

Over the past 3 years, ASEAN community members have spare no efforts to realize strategic goals set in the statement on the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 in the aim of ensuring peace, security and long-term self-reliance with a dynamic and competitive economy and comprehensive connectivity.

Delegates take souvenir photos after the flag hoisting ceremony.

Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh (R) and Lao ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane (L).

Since its entry to the regional grouping, Vietnam has been always a pro-active member of the organization.