Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Ministe🍰r Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse hosted a reception inHanoi on August 29 evening for foreign ambassadors, charge d’affaires and heads of international organizations, on the occasion of the 74th National Dayof Vietnam (September 2, 1945-2019).

Addressing the event, PM Phuc expressedthanks for theeffective assistance and precious support from international friends andpartners. He stressed that over the past sevendecades,millions of Vietnamese people, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, have overcome countless hurdles in the arduous struggle for national independence andreunification. Vietnam has made every effort in strengthening internationalintegration, successfully transforming their outdated andwar-ravaged economy into a dynamic, thriving one. Vietnam, as an active andresponsible member of the international community, has significantlycontributed to peace, cooperation and development,the PM said. He gave a short review of the socio-economic situationin Vietnam in 2019, noting that based on the results ofthe first 8 months, it can be projected that thecountry willachieve a GDP growth of 6.7 to 7 percent in 2019, higher than the regional andglobal average. Vietnam stands determined to achieve aneven greater growth in 2020, Phuc said. The government leader went on to say that 2020 will be an eventfulyear for Vietnam, as it marks the conclusion of the Socio-EconomicDevelopment Plan for 2016 – 2020 with major goals and missions, and thetransition to a new phase of high growth in the third decade of the 21st century. More notably, in 2020, Vietnam will take on dualinternational responsibilities: the ASEAN Chairmanship and a non-permanent membershipof the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020 – 2021 tenure. “Thisis the pride of our nation and also our “aspiration”. It is as well a weightyresponsibility entrusted by the international community,”he said.

PM Phuc expressed the gratitude towardsnations and partners for electing Vietnam to the United NationsSecurity Council with a record number of votes.He also asked for cooperation of other ASEAN members during Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship forthe success of the ASEAN Vision 2025.

Head of the diplomatic corps in Vietnam - VenezuelanAmbassador Jorge RondónUzcátegui remarked that 2019 is a memorable year as Vietnammarks 50 years implementing President Ho Chi Minh’s testament, the “lodestar”for the Vietnamese people.   He also highlighted Vietnam’s remarkable achievementsin 2018, with a 7.08 GDP growth, a good trade surplus, strong tourism developmentand increases in foreign investment attraction. That Vietnam was elected a non-permanent member of theUN Security Council with 192 out of 193 votes demonstrated the country’sexcellent performance in the international arena, the ambassador said, addingthat Vietnam will also assume the Chair of ASEAN at a time when the bloc isstrengthening its integration process and central role in Southeast Asia. -VNA