*(VNA): The Vietnamese Embassy in France held a meeting in Paris on Aug. 26 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day (Sept. 2).

Addressing the meeting, Ambassador Nguyen Dinh Bin reviewed the hard struggle and glorious victories of the Vietnamese people in the past two resistance wars. He emphasised the important leading role of the Party and President Ho in the struggle for national independence and highlighted the great achievements of the Vietnamese people in national construction and defence over the recent past.

On this occasion, the embassy and other Vietnamese representative offices in France also marked the 60th anniversaries of the diplomatic sector, the People's Police, the Voice of Viet Nam radio service and the Viet Nam News Agency.

* A grand meeting to mark the 60^th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2) was held in Moscow on August 25.

In an inaugural speech, President of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association, E. P. Glazunov, praised the heroic struggle of the Vietnamese people in the two resistance wars against the French colonialists and the US imperialists, traditional and friendly relationship, solidarity, co-operation and strategic partnership between the two countries.

He also praised the achievements of the Vietnamese people in all areas of the doi moi (renovation) process under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

A representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Andrei Kovtyn, affirmed that relations between Russia and Vietnam are characterised by confidence, mutual assistance and the fact both nations have the same view of important international and regional issues. Russia and Vietnam have been exchanging high-level political and diplomatic contacts and have been promoting economic and commercial co-operation, he said.

Two-way trade reached approximately US $900 million in 2004 and is expected to reach US $1 billion this year, while big achievements have been recorded in educational and cultural co-operation.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van Nganh reviewed glorious stages in nation building and safeguarding and highlighted the great achievements of the Vietnamese people in all areas.

* A meeting to celebrate Vietnam's 60th National Day was jointly held in India by the All-India Peace and Solidarity Organisation and the India-Vietnam Friendship Association on August 25.

Sitaram Yechouri, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI -M) Central Committee and D. Raja, Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) Central Committee, were present at the meeting.

Also present was Vietnamese Ambassador to India Tran Trong Khanh.

Addressing the meeting, Ambassador Khanh reviewed the achievements recorded by the Vietnamese people in the past 60 years under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by the late President Ho Chi Minh.

He expressed the Vietnamese government and people's thanks to India for its assistance and support to Vietnam's past struggle for national independence as well as national construction at present. The Vietnamese diplomat also expressed his hope for further development of the friendship between the two countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Indian friends praised the Vietnamese people's efforts during the past struggle to gain national independence and current national construction, as well as Vietnam's contribution to global peace.

Mr Sitaram Yechoori said the struggle by the Vietnamese for their national independence in the past had encouraged the movements for national independence and anti-imperialism in the world, including India. He stressed that Vietnam with its achievements in the present socio-economic development has set an example for other countries to follow.