An Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) flag-hoisting ceremony was held in Hanoi on August 8 to mark the bloc’s 56th founding anniversary (August 8, 1967 - 2023) and 28 years of Vietnam’s membership of the association.
The annual ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the founding of ASEAN on August 8 is a proud practice of all ASEAN member countries. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)ไ – An Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) flag-hoisting ceremony was held in Hanoi on August 8 to mark the bloc’s56th founding anniversary (August 8, 1967 - 2023) and 28 years of Vietnam’smembership of the association.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son chaired the ceremony.Ambassadors, representatives of the embassies of ASEAN countries, its partnercountries in Hanoi, representatives of the ministries, and Hanoi People'sCommittee attended the ceremony.
🍌 Speaking at the ceremony, Son emphasised that since its establishment, ASEAN has constantlygrown, gradually becoming a central force in all regional processes,demonstrating the vision of a community living in peace, stability, andprosperous development. The image of Southeast Asia of solidarity, harmony, andflexibility has been spreading in the region and around the world.
As a result, ASEAN's relations with the rest of the world have become opener,richer, and more durable. ASEAN's relations with partners have not onlyincreased in quantity but also changed in quality, helping ASEAN maintainhigh growth – reaching 5.5% in 2022, becoming the fifth largest economy in theworld.
That is proof of the identity, values, vitality, and reputation ofASEAN, Son said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks at the ceremony.
According to the minister, the image of ASEAN can be found inthe success of Vietnam during its innovation and integration and vice versa. In addition, the relationship between Vietnam and other ASEANmembers is also the "bricks" to build up a strong and sustainableASEAN Community today.
Son affirmed that, with the advantages of geo-strategiclocation, young and abundant human resources, and the desire to integrate moredeeply and comprehensively, ASEAN still has a great potential for development.
Participants to the ceremony pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)
He said that the world is facing challenges, the recovery of theglobal economy is still uncertain, the geopolitical environment continues to change, and the competition among major powers continues remains fierce, but the ASEAN Community has demonstrated its resilience, flexibility,and proactive adaptation to overcome challenges.
🍬 Son said he believes with a solid foundation that has beencultivated for half a century and its aspirations, ASEAN will become aninclusive, a sustainable development community, and a focal point for the growthof the region and the world over./.
Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has highly valued Vietnam’s activeness, proactiveness and sense of responsibility in the bloc, saying the country can share its valuable experience with regional countries.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 7 held a flag-hoisting ceremony and some other activities to mark the 56th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967-2023).
Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Seongnam Air Base in Seoul on August 10 afternoon (local time), beginning a state visit to the Republic of Korea from August 10-13.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The annual ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the founding of ASEAN on August 8 is a proud practice of all ASEAN member countries. (Photo: VNA) 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks at the ceremony. 
Participants to the ceremony pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA) 
