50 years of National Reunification: Italian friends remember and honor the April 30 Victory

Ambassador Duong Hai Hung speaks at a seminar in Mestre city. Photo: Duong Hoa - VNA reporter in Italy

This is a series of events demonstrating the deep concern, strong affection and unceasing support of the Italian people for Vietnam – from the war to the present.

These two events, organized by the Italy-Vietnam Veneto Committee, ANPI Mestre Association and the University of the Orient Naples, attracted a large number of scholars, journalists, students, friendship associations, as well as many Italian friends and overseas Vietnamese. Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung attended and spoke at both events as an honored guest and keynote speaker.

Speaking at a seminar in Mestre with the theme “50 years after the end of the war – Where is Vietnam going?”, Ambassador Duong Hai Hung emphasized the great significance of the Victory of April 30, 1975 – not only a military victory, but also a symbol of the aspiration for independence, freedom, justice and national dignity, resonated and strengthened by a strong wave of international solidarity around the world. Among them was the active support of the Italian people.

Ambassador Duong Hai Hung shared: “I was very moved when I saw the images of thousands of Italians in many cities taking to the streets to protest the war, holding up slogans in support of Vietnam. Thousands of people donated blood, sent medicine and relief goods – gestures that showed deep and sincere friendship that we will always remember. It was not only support, but also a symbol of noble international solidarity.”

Delegates attending the seminar in Mestre city salute the Vietnamese flag. Photo: Duong Hoa - VNA reporter in Italy

During a talk with students at the University of the Orient, Napoli, Ambassador Duong Hai Hung gave an emotional speech, recounting the journey of the Vietnamese people's struggle from the Dien Bien Phu Victory in 1954, the Tet Offensive in 1968, the Paris Agreement in 1973 on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam to the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. The Ambassador emphasized the role of reconciliation and reconstruction, and shared Vietnam's outstanding achievements over the past half century - from economic reform, poverty reduction, to education and health care development and deep international integration.

Ambassador Duong Hai Hung said: “We do not only look to the past, but also to the future: a developed, peaceful and prosperous Vietnam. Today’s young people – through their interest, understanding and connection with Vietnam – are contributing to preserving historical memories and deepening the relationship between the two nations.”

Ambassador Duong Hai Hung talks with Vice President of the University of the Orient, Naples. Photo: Duong Hoa - VNA reporter in Italy

On the sidelines of the workshop, Ambassador Duong Hai Hung also gave an interview to the Italian press about economic cooperation between the two countries, including the concerns of Italian businesses regarding Italy's reciprocal tax policy. The Ambassador affirmed: "We always value European partners, including Italy - a strategic partner. Vietnam is committed to continuing to improve the investment environment, remove barriers and ensure harmonious interests between investors and the country." The Ambassador said that Italian businesses have many strengths that are suitable for Vietnam's development orientation in the fields of energy, infrastructure, processing, fashion, logistics and creative industries.

Also during his visit to Naples, the Ambassador had a meeting with the leaders of the University of the Orient, Naples, and heads of departments specializing in social sciences, history, and languages. The two sides agreed to promote specific cooperation programs such as: signing memorandums of understanding with Vietnamese universities, supporting the development of Vietnamese language teaching programs, organizing student and scholar exchanges, and seminars on Southeast Asia.

Ambassador Duong Hai Hung speaks at a seminar on 50 years of national reunification at the University of the Orient, Naples. Photo: Duong Hoa - VNA correspondent in Italy

The activities starting in Mestre and Naples are the opening of a series of rich events that Italian friends will organize for 2 months from April to May 2025, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification. Not only academic and commemorative, the activities are also a space for cultural exchange, connecting the younger generation and promoting educational - economic - social cooperation between the two countries.

With the enthusiastic participation of many Italian social classes – from scholars, students to businesses – this series of events continues to affirm the sustainable vitality of the Vietnam – Italy friendship, overcoming all barriers of space and time, towards a future of close cooperation and mutual development.

Duong Hoa - Truong Duy - Thanh Hai (Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Italy)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/the-gioi/50-nam-thong-nhat-dat-nuoc-ban-be-italy-ghi-nho-va-ton-vinh-chien-thang-304-20250415101720669.htm