HCM City get-together marks ASEAN’s 51st founding anniversary

Speaking at the event, Singaporean Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Leow Siu Lin said the event not only reviews achievements that ASEAN has made over the past more than five decades but also looks toward the next period in a path to peace, stability, growth and dynamism in the region. 

As rotating Chair of ASEAN, Singapore focuses on the themes of “Resilience” and “Innovation” to shape a united ASEAN which is able to effectively address geo-political instabilities and brace for opportunities and challenges in the digital revolution, including establishing the network of smart cities, including Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, toward the common goal of sustainable urban development to improve urban environment and business opportunities for nearly 630 million people in the bloc, she said. 

Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the municipal Vietnam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association, said the past achievements proved that ASEAN has become important and indispensable to peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia, a driving force for dialogue, cooperation and connectivity among member states as well as comprehensive development in East Asia and Asia-Pacific. 

She said the get-together is one of the people-to-people diplomatic activities, contributing to tightening solidarity in the grouping. 

On the occasion, representatives from the ASEAN countries’ Consulate Generals in Ho Chi Minh City presented 30 scholarships to local poor students with outstanding academic performance.