Prominent at the meeting, which drew in a large number of Vietnamese officials and students working and studying in Bangkok as well as Vietnamese nationals residing in Thailand, were President of the Thai National Assembly Bhokin Bhalakula and Speaker of the Senate Suchon Chaleekrua.

 Addressing the meeting, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Nguyen Quoc Khanh recalled Vietnam's historic moment when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence of the then Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945.

He also took this occasion to reaffirm the country's foreign policy of befriending and being trustful partners of countries the world over. He also said that Vietnam and Thailand are busily preparing for celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2006.

* The Vietnamese Consul General in Australia thanked the Australian Government and people for their effective assistance to Vietnam's national construction over the past years at a reception to mark the country's 60th National Day.

At the event, which was held in Sydney on August 29, Consul General Nguyen The Phiet introduced his guests to the great achievements the country has obtained over the past 60 years, and Vietnam's role in the international arena.

The Australian guests praised Vietnam's renovation achievements as well as its role in promoting peace and co-operation in the region.

* The Overseas Vietnamese Association in Phnom Penh celebrated Vietnam's August Revolution and National Day in the capital city on August 28.

Nguyen Chien Thang, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia, and nearly 300 Vietnamese overseas who are living in Phnom Penh and its neighbouring provinces were present at the meeting.

In his speech at the meeting, Chau Van Chi, Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Phnom Penh, expressed his pleasure at the fatherland's socio-economic development over the past 60 years, particularly its achievements in the "Doi Moi" (Renovation) process initiated by the Vietnam Communist Party.

Chi emphasised that overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia and other countries in the world always keep Vietnam in their mind and will try their best to contribute to the process of building a strong and wealthy country with a just and civilised society.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Thang praised overseas Vietnamese for their contributions to the nation for over the past 60 years. He said he believed that they would mutually help and unite with Cambodians in bettering their lives.

He also confirmed that the overseas Vietnamese community is an integral part of Vietnam.

On this occasion, the association awarded 94 units and individuals for their good performance in the movement, entitled "Living and working following the example of Uncle Ho."

* The Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria also held a ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversaries of Vietnam's August Revolution and National Day.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Vu Van Du highlighted the Party and the State's foreign policy of openness, diversification and multilateralism, which, he said, has helped improve Vietnam's prestige in the international arena.