Nhân dịp kỷ niệm 73 năm ngày Quốc khánh của nước Cộng hòa Xã hội Chủ nghĩa Việt Nam (2/9/1945 – 2/9/2018), ngày 5/9/2018 tại khách sạn St. Regis (Houston), Tổng Lãnh sự quán Việt Nam đã tổ chức Chiêu đãi chào mừng Quốc khánh với sự tham dự của lãnh đạo thành phố Houston và các quan chức đoàn ngoại giao, đại diện các doanh nghiệp, các học giả, trí thức Mỹ và Việt Nam cùng bà con người Việt đang sinh sống, làm việc và học tập tại Houston, Texas.
Tại buổi tiệc, TLS Lương Quốc Huy đã có bài phát biểu chào mừng Quốc khánh. Sau đây là toàn văn bài phát biểu và một số hình ảnh tại buổi tiệc.
REMARKS BY CONSUL GENERAL LUONG QUOC HUY
ON VIETNAM NATIONAL DAY
(September 5th, 2018; St. Regis Hotel, Houston)
Dear Mr. Robert Hopkins, Deputy Director of Office of Foreign Missions,
Distinguished Consul Generals and spouses,
Distinguished guests and friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the exciting atmosphere of the 73rd National Day of Vietnam, on behalf of the staff members of the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Houston and myself, I would like to express our warmest welcome and sincere thanks to all distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen for taking out your precious time to join us at this Reception today.
The Republic Democratic of Vietnam now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was founded on September 2nd 1945. It was on this day that our beloved President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence in Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi Capital, opening up a new era for the Vietnamese people.
Over the course of 73 years, Vietnam has witnessed tremendous achievements in the fields of politics, economy, social culture and diplomacy.
Vietnam has integrated deeply and widely into the global economy. GDP Growth Rate of Vietnam averaged 6.5% from 2000 until 2018. In the first quarter of 2018, the GDP increased by 7.38% - the fastest expansion in the last 10 years, which is valued at nearly 300 billion USD and while FDI valued at 25 billion USD. As of 2017, trade accounted for approximately 200% of Vietnam's GDP. Vietnam has concluded 13 FTAs bilaterally and is in the process of endorsing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and working with EU to finalize the process to sign the Eu-Vietnam Free Trade Agremeent (EVFTA).
Vietnam has also become an attractive destination for global tourists. We are proud to have 8 UNESCO World Heritages sites such as the beautiful Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang Cave, Hue Imperial City, Hoi An Ancient City, to name just a few. Last year, Vietnam welcomed 13 million foreign tourists.
By the year 2018, Vietnam has diplomatic relations with 188 countries and territories and has entered into strategic and comprehensive partnerships with 27 countries including the 5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
As a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations, namely ASEAN, Vietnam has always played an active role in the Association and has proven to be a responsible member. ASEAN members are working to realize ASEAN Vision 2025, building a strong, coherent, developing and prosperous ASEAN Community while enhancing its central role in the regional structures. At present, ASEAN is cooperating closely with China to ensure a good environment conducive to the negotiation of an effective, binding and practical Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
On this occasion, I would like very much to welcome the re-opening of the Consulate of the Philippines in Houston, which makes ASEAN countries better represented here in Houston, with the presence of the Consulate of Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Viet Nam and the United States have achieved tremendous development since the normalization of bilateral relations commenced in 1995. In 2013, the two countries entered into a comprehensive partnership relations, creating a solid foundation for developing the ties in various fields. Many state level visits were made over the past years, most recently President Trump's successful visit to Vietnam during the APEC Summit 2017 and our Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's visit to America in May 2017. This year, we witnessed the significant visits to Vietnam by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mattis and to America by Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue. These visits confirmed two side's willingness to deepen the bilateral ties, thus contributing to peace, stability and properity in the region.
Together with the other Vietnam's diplomatic missions in the U.S.A, the Consulate of Vietnam in Houston is commited to deepening that bilateral relations.
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For each Vietnamese, the National Day has a very sacred meaning; we cherished the founding fathers for the peace and prosperity that we as a national enjoy today. I am very pleased to welcome many Vietnamese overseas intellectuals who have gathered here to celebrate this special day with the Consulate. In the role of professors, lecturers, researchers, teachers, musicians, businessmen, and many important roles here in the United States, they are contributing to the American society as well as to the enhancement in the bilateral relations between Vietnam and the United States. Many of their works have also contributed to Vietnam and has a meaningful impact in the Vietnamese society.
Among these intellectuals, I am pleased to present to you a special music performance by the talented violinist Ta Ton, who have performed in many countries in the world. He earned his master degree at the University of Houston and has chosen to settle down in this amazing city, continuing to excel in his profession while enriching the musical society in Houston and introducing Vietnamese music to America. He is a good example of many Vietnamese intellectuals who are now working and thriving in the United States.
Over the years, the Consulate and the Vietnamese community have received considerable and meaningful support from the leaders of state of Texas, of Houston City, the Office of Foreign Missions. I am very much grateful for that. My appreciation also goes to the Consular Corps in Houston for the friendship and solidarity that my Consulate has received so far.
The Consulate General of Vietnam in Houston and the Vietnamese community in Texas look forward to receiving further valuable support from the our partners and stakeholders so that the Consulate General can accomplish its duties and the Vietnamese community can be facilitated in their lives, work and study, and further contribute to enhancing the Vietnam – United States bilateral relations.
I hope you enjoy the reception today and invite you to stay for the wonderful musical performance that awaits you in a few minutes.
Joining in with the happiness of the Vietnamese people on the National Day of September 2nd, may I propose a toast to Vietnam's National Day; to the friendship and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the United States; to the best health and happiness of all distinguished guests; and for peace and prosperity of people of all over the world! Cheers!
