On May 25 in Hanoi, the ambassadors of African countries to Vietnam hosted a ceremony to mark the 54th anniversary of African day. The event attracts the participation of a great number of ambassadors and diplomats.

The event attracts the participation of a great number of ambassadors and diplomats.

Africa Day was first held on May 25, 1963 in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, when 32 countries formed the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU).

In the more than half a decade since, 21 additional countries have joined the OAU, with South Africa the last country to join in 1994 after Apartheid ended.

The OAU's original mission was to bring freedom to African countries that were still under colonial rule in the 60s, defend their sovereignty, uphold human rights and restore the dignity of the African people.

Nowadays, Africa Day is widely celebrated by countries on the African continent, as well as around the world.

The celebration of Africa Day in Hanoi expresses the good feelings, special attention and traditional friendship between Vietnam and Africa.

At the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Hong Nam congratulated the African countries on their special day. Deputy Minister emphasized that Vietnam and Africa, inspite of geographical distant, have many similarities in history and tradition. In the struggle for national independence, the people of Vietnam always receive the sympathy and support of the people and governments of African countries.

In recent years, the relationship between Vietnam and Africa has significantly progressed. Numerous visits between the two continents have been made, showing the development in the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and African countries./.

Ngoc Tran