75th
Anniversary of Vietnam's August Revolution and National Day Beautiful Celebration Held in Toronto 
On August
20, the Canada Vietnam Friendship Society hosted a celebration to mark
the 75th Anniversary of the August Revolution that overthrew the
Japanese militarists and French colonialists and culminated with
Vietnam's declaration of independence. Ho Chi Minh formally issued the
Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, which is now known as
Vietnam's National Day. The Toronto celebration,
with limited participation due to COVID-19, was all the more
significant because of the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Canada, Pham Cao Phong. The
national anthems of Canada and Vietnam opened the proceedings. A solemn
minute's silence was then observed to mark the recent passing of former
Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Le Kha Phieu.
Condolences for this loss of an outstanding Vietnamese hero and leader
was extended to the Vietnamese people through His Excellency Ambassador
Pham. The keynote presentation for the celebration
was given by Professor Nguyen Dai Trang, an internationally recognized
author and expert on the life of Ho Chi Minh and the history of
Vietnam. Professor Nguyen noted that on the 75th anniversary of the
August Revolution and National Day the Vietnamese people look back with
pride at their historic liberation of their country under the
leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Vietnam;
as well as the achievements of the last 75 years, realized by the
Vietnamese people through their own efforts. The Socialist Republic of
Vietnam today thrives as a modern country playing a positive role in
the world. 
Professor
Nguyen also touched on her own work over the last 25 years to
popularize the historical legacy of President Ho Chi Minh and his
inspiration not only to the Vietnamese people but the peoples of the
world. By relying on the lessons of the last 75 years she said, the
future of Vietnam looks bright and prosperous. His
Excellency Ambassador Pham then addressed the meeting. He noted the
historic importance of the August Revolution and the Declaration of
Independence by President Ho Chi Minh 75 years ago, marking Vietnam as
the first country in Asia to gain its freedom and independence from
colonial rule. This in turn served to inspire the independence
struggles of the peoples of Asia and other continents. Ambassador
Pham also cited the close links between the people and government of
Vietnam in the successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic at the first
stage and that the government took immediate measures with the recent
outbreak in Danang. He expressed hope that the COVID-19 pandemic will
soon be defeated through the cooperation of all countries and people.
His Excellency noted as well that under the leadership of the Communist
Party of Vietnam, the country has successfully built its economy and
trade relations with other countries. He expressed appreciation of the
strengthening of bilateral ties between Canada and Vietnam over the
last 50 years and predicted that this relationship will grow.
 
The
celebration included a power point presentation of a virtual museum
called "Ho Chi Minh Arts Online" created by members of the Canada
Vietnam Friendship Society. The online museum was developed to promote
writings, poems, historic photographs and artwork concerning the life
of President Ho Chi Minh and his legacy to the entire world. Following
the formal presentation, the participants engaged in discussion, viewed
the display of students' art and took the opportunity to get a signed
copy of one of Professor Nguyen's recent books on Ho Chi Minh.
In his closing remarks, Philip Fernandez, the emcee and a
founding member of the Canada Vietnam Friendship Society, invited
everyone to join the Canada Vietnam Friendship Society and its work to
promote fraternal ties and exchanges between the Vietnamese people and
Canadian people for mutual benefit and for peace. He noted "Our links
and ties run deep with the daughters and sons of the new Vietnam,
integrated as one in the Canadian polity, enriching our society, our
culture, our life and contributing to the human-centred society that we
as Canadians want to see for our country."
This article was published in
Volume 50 Number 32 - August 29, 2020
Article Link:
75th
Anniversary of Vietnam's August Revolution and National Day: Beautiful Celebration Held in Toronto
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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