An exhibition to showcase the nation's socio-economic achievements – among the largest celebrations to mark the 70th year since Viet Nam gained independence – was opened to the public yesterday evening in Ha Noi.
The exhibition, organ-ised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, included highlighting the sacrifices of the Vietnamese people in protecting their country following the historic victory over aggressors in the August Revolution that led to the establishment of the nation on September 2, 1945.
The impressive achiev-ements made in both social and economic terms since the Doi moi (renewal) policy was created in 1986 were also outlined at the exhibition.
More than 60 venues were set up by 25 ministries and Government agencies presenting archival and historical artefacts from the last 70 years.
Additionally, nearly 30 localities, including Tien Giang and Dong Nai in the south and Ha Giang province in the north, provided cultural folk music and food specialities.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam said that through the implementation of the renewal process and international integration, Viet Nam had grown from an impoverished and backward nation to a middle-income one.
He said it was now one of the world's top exporters of farm produce, contributing to global food security.
"Viet Nam has made itself exemplary in poverty reduction as well as in implementing Millennium Development Goals," he said, adding that this had been highly appreciated by the world community.
"Quite a few indicators of Viet Nam relating to human beings and social security are much higher than those in countries of similar development level.
"From a centrally planned subsidised economy, Viet Nam has turned itself into a dynamic economy operating in a socialist-oriented market.
It has total export and import turnover of US$300 billion, about 1.5 times higher than the country's GDP," the Deputy PM said.
"Viet Nam has established trade relationships with most of nations and economies and is an attractive destination for foreign investors. It has nearly $300 billion in investment from 100 countries and territories funnelled into about 20,000 projects.
"Viet Nam is also an active and responsible member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), regional and international co-operation institutions and the United Nations.
"The exhibition aims to showcase all Vietnamese people have produced in the past 70 years - with co-operation and assistance from friends all over the world," he said.
Viet Nam Television (VTV) and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), the two largest state news agencies, were also represented at the exhibition.
On September 15, 1945, when Viet Nam's Declaration of Independence was made public worldwide in English, French and Vietnamese, it also marked the birth of the Vietnam News Agency.
The agency has more than 60 news and information products and is a supplier of information for much of the nation's media. It has 63 representative offices nationwide and 30 offices in five continents worldwide.
Visiting Viet Nam News Agency's display booths, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung showed interest in equipment, exhibits, and personal belongings that agency workers used during the war time.
Among more than 400 journalists who lost their life during this time, 260 journalists were working for Vietnam News Agency on the battlefield.
The expo is among a series of celebrations to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the August revolution (19/8/1945) and Independence Day this year.
A parade, expected to attract about 30,000 people – the largest parade ever – will be held next Wednesday at Ba Dinh Square, where the late President Ho Chi Minh made his historic Independence Declaration on September 2, 1945.
The parade will include the People's Armed Forces, the army, public security officers and militias, as well as civilians, war veterans, workers, farmers, ethnic minorities - and other groups representing the Vietnamese people.
Ha Noi will also celebrate the anniversary with a fireworks display on Wednesday.
The exhibition will run until next Thursday at Giang Vo National Exhibition Centre.
