Flag raised in Hanoi to mark ASEAN's 55th founding anniversary

The ceremony was chaired by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, and attended by Ambassadors of ASEAN countries and ASEAN partners, along with local officials. The annual ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony is held in each ASEAN member state to honour their common values and express the determination to promote solidarity and cooperation.

At the ceremony (Photo: VNA)

This year’s event is of greater significance since the region is working towards the establishment of the ASEAN Community at the end of 2015 and Vietnam is marking its 20th year of ASEAN membership.

The ASEAN flag’s colours – blue, red, white and yellow – represent the main colours of the member countries’ flags. It symbolises unity and support for the bloc’s principles and mission, and represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN. Addressing the ceremony, Minister Son said the foundation of ASEAN 55 years ago created the precedence for regional countries to realise their aspiration for a peaceful, stable region with sustainable and inclusive development.

FM Minister Bui Thanh Son addresses the ceremony (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN countries can be proud of what they have achieved so far towards their noble goal, meeting the aspiration of nearly 700 million people in the region, he said. To successfully realise the target and the ASEAN Vision, the minister said the ASEAN Community should intensify efforts to consolidate the foundation for fast, sustainable and comprehensive post-pandemic recovery. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./.