Vietnam hosts a double celebration
The Embassy of Vietnam in Hungary held a formal ceremony in the Pesti Vigadó in downtown Budapest on the evening of April 29, 2025, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Hungary (February 3, 1950-February 3, 2025) and the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-April 30, 2025). More than 500 distinguished guests enjoyed a solemn and warm atmosphere.
The attendees included the First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, Mrs. Márta Mátrai; Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Kovacs Katalin; Deputy Prosecutor General, Mr. Tibor Ibolya; Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Stifter Adam; President of the Hungary-Vietnam Friendship Association, Mr. Botz László; along with numerous senior officials, representatives of ministries and agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, Hungarian friends and the Vietnamese community in Hungary.
This occasion not only revisited the proud historical journey of bilateral relations, affirming the strong and traditional friendship between the two nations, but also instilled pride in the Vietnamese community in Hungary for their homeland's cause of national construction and defence. It further recalled the heroic and arduous struggle of the Vietnamese people, culminating in the great Spring Victory of 1975, which completely liberated the South and reunified the country, ushering Vietnam into a new era of independence, freedom, happiness, civilisation, prosperity and elevated international standing.
In his remarks, Ambassador Bui Le Thai emphasised that the 75-year diplomatic relationship has been a proud journey, nurtured by solidarity, trust and sustainable cooperation. He expressed deep gratitude for the valuable support extended by the Government and people of Hungary during Vietnam's struggle for independence and reunification, as well as in its current process of renovation and development.
The Ambassador affirmed that, despite geographical distance and ongoing global changes, the Party, Government and people of Vietnam always value and wish to further develop the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two countries. Ambassador Bui Le Thai and First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mrs. Márta Mátrai at the celebration
Looking back on half a century since the liberation and reunification of the country, Ambassador Bui Le Thai said it was not only a great victory of the Vietnamese nation but also a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, the spirit of independence and resilience, great national unity, international solidarity and the truth that 'Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom… Today, Vietnam is entering a new era, a period of national revival marked by confidence, self-reliance and national pride,' he emphasised.
The Ambassador said Vietnam and Hungary will continue to write new chapters in their traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation, with 75 years of history in friendly cooperation, a solid foundation of strong bilateral relations, high political trust between the two countries' leaderships, mutual understanding between the two peoples, shared values of peace, progress, and prosperity, and the determination from both sides.
On behalf of the Government and National Assembly of Hungary, First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mrs. Márta Mátrai conveyed the warm congratulations of Mr. László Kövér, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, and of the entire Parliament and Government of Hungary to the people of Vietnam on the double milestone being celebrated.
She congratulated Vietnam on its achievements since 1975 and expressed pride that Hungary had contributed to its struggle for national liberation, particularly through Hungary's participation in the International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS) from 1973 to 1975. Mrs. Mátrai highly appreciated the traditional multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially parliamentary cooperation — one of the key pillars of the bilateral relationship — through high-level visits, committee exchanges, and legislative experience-sharing dialogues.
She announced that Speaker Kövér has accepted an invitation to visit Vietnam, expected to be in October this year. She recognised the valuable contributions of the Vietnamese community in Hungary to the country's development and affirmed the Government and Parliament of Hungary will continue to create favourable conditions for their successful integration.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Bui Le Thai presented a special commemorative publication jointly produced by the Embassy of Vietnam in Hungary and Eurasia magazine to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
In addition to the formal program, the celebration featured rich cultural experiences. The guests enjoyed traditional Vietnamese musical performances, cuisine and exhibitions, including a photo display and film screenings recounting the 75-year history of bilateral friendship and Vietnam's 50 years of national development.
The celebration left a profound impression on all attendees, hopefully inspiring both nations to continue jointly writing new chapters in their joint history.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Budapest Times
3 days ago
- Budapest Times
Kocsis: MPs won't hold vote on transparency law before the summer
Máté Kocsis, the Fidesz parliamentary group leader, said the transparency law will not be included on the legislative committee's agenda and MPs will not hold a vote on it before the summer. Kocsis told news portal Index on Wednesday that Fidesz was united behind making use of a law to protect sovereignty, but a debate was underway about what form the relevant legislation should take. A debate on the transparency law will be postponed until the autumn, and professional organisations will be consulted on its contents in the meantime, he added. Besides proposals from Fidesz MPs, the Hungarian Banking Association, the Hungarian Advertising Association, the presidential Sándor Palace, the Hungarian Bar Association and the Hungarian Newspaper Publishers Association have stated their views too, he added. Fidesz believes at the same time, that professional organisations such as organisations financed from abroad, 'pseudo-civil groups' and media actors that would fall under the scope of the law would not have a say in the drafting of the legislation, he said. They had generally sent 'ad hominem criticisms' rather than constructive suggestions, he said, and these 'cannot be taken into account in the legislative process'. Kocsis referred to the 'Ukrainian espionage case', saying it was 'a good example of why sovereignty must be protected'. He insisted that 'Ukrainian propaganda' was based on 'fake recordings' that had led to the false impression that Hungary was readying itself 'for military aggression against Ukraine'. Far from being the case, the case 'highlights that disinformation campaigns are indeed taking place' against Hungary, Kocsis added. Such disinformation, he added, did not just appear from abroad but in certain parts of the Hungarian press too. The Fidesz politician said that whereas protecting sovereignty was a decisive issue in the long term, it was important to clarify what means could be used to combat it. Disinformation campaigns related to the Russia-Ukraine war and other matters related to sovereignty protection would probably end up being handled separately, he said. Fidesz MP János Halász submitted the bill on the Transparency of Public Life to parliament in mid-May, and it would open up the possibility of blacklisting organisations financed from abroad that threaten Hungary's sovereignty.
Budapest Times
3 days ago
- Budapest Times
Orbán: We must take Brussels while the emperor wages war
PM Orbán used the gathering to deliver a comprehensive and critical assessment of Brussels' current political and military posture, especially concerning the war in Ukraine and its implications for Hungarian sovereignty and the wider region. 'A real hussar's trick is needed,' declared the prime minister. 'While the emperor wages war, we must take Brussels; while Brussels prepares for war, we must strengthen Europe's anti-war initiatives.' He argued that the EU, once legitimized by its promise of peace and prosperity, has now lost its way. 'This is no longer the European Union we joined,' he said. 'The legendary quality of life in the West is gone.' Central to PM Orbán's critique was what he called Brussels' 'war policy,' which he claims has inflated energy prices, drained investment funds, and pushed the continent towards militarization. 'War has made everything more expensive,' he said, 'and now they want to solve economic problems through increased arms spending.' He described the EU's economic cycle as 'Brussels gives weapons to Ukraine, Ukraine buys them with EU loans, and Brussels buys Ukrainian goods,' asserting that this is not genuine economic growth but a 'war-based economic cycle.' He was especially candid about Ukraine's EU integration. 'Integrating Ukraine would break the Hungarian economy,' he warned. 'Full integration would cost €2.5 trillion over several years — 12 times the EU's current annual budget.' Beyond that, he noted, 'running Ukraine already costs €100 billion annually. For Hungary, this would be a burden of HUF 20 trillion.' On European centralization, PM Orbán said that Brussels is using the war as a pretext to grab more power. 'This is a coup,' he said. 'They want to eliminate national sovereignty and establish the United States of Europe.' He said that EU institutions are 'interfering in elections, monitoring sovereigntist parties, shutting down right-wing events, and financing federalist and pro-war fake civil society and media across Europe.' He further warned against new fiscal mechanisms proposed by Brussels: 'They want direct EU taxation, taking €37 billion a year from member states. They'd take money meant for our farmers and regional development and funnel it into the war effort.' Addressing Hungary's geopolitical role, PM Orbán emphasized regional cooperation. 'We must not join the Franco-German axis—we must strengthen the Visegrád cooperation,' he said, highlighting Poland's recent presidential election as 'particularly encouraging.' He envisioned a robust Central Europe that can 'block Brussels' federalist and pro-war agenda.' Finally, he reiterated his opposition to Hungary becoming a 'migrant country' and stressed the strategic importance of maintaining the Hungarian language and identity in the Carpathian Basin. 'The task is to teach 1 million people Hungarian over the next decade,' he said, adding that peaceful coexistence with neighbors is essential but must not come 'at the cost of national interest.' 'Our mission is clear,' concluded PM Orbán. 'Brussels must not sit on our necks. We stayed, they fell. But the wounds suffered by the Hungarian nation from the (last) empire have not yet healed. Let's not ask for a repeat—especially not in a Brussels uniform.'
Budapest Times
4 days ago
- Budapest Times
State Secretary marks anniversary of post-WWI Trianon Peace Treaty
During a commemoration marking the anniversary of the post-WWI Trianon Peace Treaty, held at the Hungarian embassy in Washington on Tuesday, Boglárka Illés, state secretary at the foreign ministry, said it is not enough to remember the losses; one should also see the strength of the Hungarian nation. Illés said 'at least three generations have grown up ' since 1920, when the treaty concluded the world war, and 'the strength of the Hungarian nation is manifested by the fact that despite all attempts by the great powers it has survived and demonstrates unity.' The official noted that the US has the largest community of the Hungarian diaspora, adding that 'Hungarian communities not only exist but they have created a Hungarian world of their own, too.' Concerning her talks with US State Department officials, Illés told MTI that 'a position supporting peace links Hungary and the US. 'We appreciate endeavours by the US president and US administration to promote peace,' she said. During her talks, she said she had informed her partners about the Hungarian government's child protection measures, family policy, and border control regime. The state secretary also met Republican congressmen and visited the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. She also met Stephen Schneider, international director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and noted the Hungarian government's policy of zero tolerance for anti-Semitism and support for Israel's right to self-defense.
