The ceremony was attended by Mr. Qi Jiang uo, Vice Chairman of the China – Vietnam Friendship Association; Mr. Jiang Xiu Qian, Vice Mayor of Fangchenggang city and many other officials. The Vietnamese delegation including Deputy Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Truong Thi Ngoc Anh; President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong and representatives from Mong Cai city, Quang Ninh province in Vietnam also attended the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Mayor of Fangchenggang city, Mr. Jiang Xiu Qian warmly welcomed the delegation from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and said the launching ceremony of the “Red Tourism – Following Uncle Ho’s footsteps” and the Vietnam–China People’s Friendship Festival are important activities of people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

Mr. Qi Jianguo said the China – Vietnam Friendship Association and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations had organized many activities to strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations for years. 2015 is the year to mark the 65 ^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China and the 125 ^th anniversary of the late President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.

On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Mr. Vu Xuan Hong, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations highlighted that the Vietnam – China People’s friendship festival was held to celebrate the 65 ^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China and the “Red Tourism Route – Following Uncle Ho’s footsteps” was to mark the 125 ^th anniversary of the late President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.  These activities will contribute to educate the two countries’ people, especially the youth about the Vietnam – China friendship relationship.

Mr. Hong stressed the role of President Ho Chi Minh, the person and predecessor leaders laid the foundation for the friendship relationship between Vietnam – China; recalled the revolutionary journey of President Ho Chi Minh in China, noting that every step he made in the country was closely associated with important events of the Vietnamese revolution and marked the close ties between the two countries. He also highlighted the important role of people's diplomacy in promoting co-operation and contributing to building friendship between the two countries.

After the launching ceremony, deputies from the two countries visited the Ho Chi Minh temple and laid flowers at the monument dedicated to Chinese and Vietnamese revolutionary martyrs, the China – Vietnam Friendship House and attended cultural programs of the Vietnam – China people’s friendship festival and the “Red Tourism Route – Following Uncle Ho’s footsteps”.

The Vietnam – China People’s Friendship Festival and the “Red Tourism – Following Uncle Ho’s Footsteps” will last until May 22 ^nd ./.

BTA