(VNF) - A ceremony was held in headquarters of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in Hanoi on January 6^th to mark the 38^th anniversary of the joint victory of Vietnam and Cambodia over the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime (January 7^th, 1979-2017).

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Vu Mao, President of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA); Mr. Prak Nguon Hong, Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr. Don Tuan Phong, VUFO Vice President cum General Secretary; representatives from ministries and agencies; former volunteer soldiers, experts; and Cambodian students studied in Vietnam.

Mr. Vu Mao, President of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association speaks at the ceremony on Friday (Jan. 6^th).

Addressing the ceremony, after recalling the unprecedented crime of the Pol Pot regime in the 1975-1979 period, VCFA President Vu Mao stressed that the victory over the genocidal regime that helped the country revive was the fruit of the struggle of Cambodian people and armed forces under the leadership of the Cambodian United Front for National Salvation as well as the great assistance of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers.

January 1^st, 1979 went down in history as a milestone of the pure and faithful international solidarity and the special friendship between the two nations.

The day also marked Cambodia’s escape from the genocidal regime and stepping into a new era of independence, freedom and revival, as well as ushered in a new chapter for the two countries’ neighbourliness, he said.

It is the solidarity that has helped Vietnam and Cambodia overcome all obstacles and contributed to each nation’s great victories, VCFA President Mao noted.

He also underlined the need to carry forward the solidarity, especially among the two countries’ young people, in order to further enhance the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations in a sustainable fashion.

Mr. Prak Nguon Hong, Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam, thanks the VCFA for organizing this ceremony honouring the patriots and fallen soldiers of Cambodia and Vietnam, who fought and died bravely to free Cambodia from the brutal genocidal regime.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Prak Nguon Hong, Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam, said all Cambodian people always bear in mind the historic day as well as the support of Vietnamese people during the fight against the genocidal regime and the cause of national construction.

He added that Cambodians United Front for National Salvation, established in December 1978, appealed to all people to unite to eliminate the brutal regime and called on governments and peace-lovers around the world to support Cambodians’ struggle for liberation. The Cambodian revolutionary forces, with support of the people and Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, defeated the Khmer Rouge and opened a new chapter of independence, freedom, democracy, and development in Cambodian history.

The triumph ended one of the darkest periods in the Cambodian history, laying a foundation for the national restoration, construction and development over the past 38 years, he said, adding that Cambodian people always take January 7^th as their second birthday.

The Ambassador also briefed participants on Cambodia’s achievements in politics, economy and socio-culture over the past years.

Former volunteer soldiers and military experts attend the ceremony.

Reigning from 1975-1979, the genocidal regime killed nearly 3 million Cambodian civilians in only 3 years, 8 months and 20 days, destroyed all social facilities and pushed the Cambodian nation to the brink of perdition.

The regime also distorted the history of Vietnam and mobilised most of its military strengths, including dozens of pisions and many local regiments, to launch an invasion into the southwestern border of Vietnam.

They ravaged villages, brutally killed local people, including the elderly, children and women, and seriously violated the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam./.

Minh Phuong