Đỗ Văn Chiến, President of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, poses for a photo with international friends who helped Việt Nam during its fight for independence and reunification. — VNA/VNS Photos Xuân Khu

HCM CITY — The Party, State, and people of Việt Nam deeply treasure the noble international solidarity and invaluable support from friends around the world during the most challenging and difficult times, stated Đỗ Văn Chiến, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee.

Chiến was addressing a reception in HCM City for a delegation of foreign friends who supported Việt Nam during its struggles for national independence and reunification. They are in Việt Nam to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975–2025).

He underlined that the support formed an important part of Việt Nam’s history during the country’s struggles as well as the movement for peace, reason, and justice around the world.

The VFF leader expressed deep gratitude to international friends for their enduring friendship, wholehearted support, and noble international solidarity extended to Việt Nam during its two resistance wars, as well as its ongoing process of national renewal, development, and safeguarding.

He highlighted Việt Nam’s socio-economic, political, and diplomatic achievements over the past five decades, highlighting them as proof of the success of the renewal process and the country’s chosen path of socialist-oriented development.

Amid today’s global uncertainties, he reaffirmed Việt Nam’s commitment to upholding the values of peace and the UN Charter and international law’s basic principles of respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, no use or threats of using force in international relations, and peaceful dispute resolution.

Việt Nam hopes that friends across the five continents will continue promoting international solidarity to support the country in national construction, development, and defence, Chiến said, calling on them, especially those from the US, to continue assisting Việt Nam in addressing the war legacy.

Việt Nam’s consistent stance is to be a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community while staying firm in its pursuit of peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress. Together with other countries, the country is committed to maintaining an environment of peace, friendship, and cooperation for development in the region and the world.

Alicia Corredera Morales, head of the Asia and Oceania Department at the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples, addresses the meeting.

Delegates from the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Philippines–Việt Nam Solidarity Committee, the US-based Fund for Reconciliation and Development, and the World Peace Council shared memories of April 30, 1975, and praised the victory's significance to global peace and liberation movements.

John McAuliff, executive director of the US-based Fund for Reconciliation and Development, speaks at the event on Wednesday.

Phan Anh Sơn, President of the Việt Nam Union of Friendship Organisations, pledged to continue nurturing solidarity with the peoples worldwide so that it remains a lasting source of strength for Việt Nam to create new miracles in the new era.

During their stay, the delegation met with President of the HCM City Peace and Development Foundation Ambassador Tôn Nữ Thị Ninh, visited the War Remnants Museum, attended a banquet hosted by the city’s People’s Committee, and took part in the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.

The over-100-member delegation included representatives from US groups such as Veterans for Peace, the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, and the National Council on Aging, as well as organisations from India, the Philippines, France, Japan, and Hungary, among others. — VNA/VNS