The ceremony, held at President Ho's mausoleum in Ha Noi, marked the nation's 69th National Day (September 2).

The delegation included Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, former Party general secretaries Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh, and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

They laid wreaths at the Memorial for Heroic Martyrs to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives during the country's struggle for independence.

Party Secretary Trong visited the house (No. 67) at the adjacent mausoleum where the father of the nation died 45 years ago to the day.

Speaking with the staff protecting the buildings, Trong said he was overjoyed at the growing number of foreign and domestic visitors attracted to it, including the 1.5 million in the first half of this year.

To mark National Day, the relic site was visited by about 30,000 people, including nearly 4,000 foreigners.

On Monday, a delegation of leaders from the Party, Government and HCM City offered incense to the late President at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in HCM City.

The delegation included Politburo member and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh, Public Security Minister Tran Dai Quang, and HCM City Party Committee Secretary Le Thanh Hai.

They also visited a museum exhibition showcasing the late leader's life and triumphs - and the triumphs that Viet Nam has achieved in his name since then.

Ho Chi Minh Museum in HCM City is located at Nha Rong Port where the late leader, then known as Nguyen Tat Thanh, commenced his journey abroad in 1911 in search of ways to liberate Viet Nam from colonialism.

In 1945, President Ho led the country to victory in the August Revolution and formed the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, which became today's Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

The southern city has also organised photo exhibitions at the Youth Cultural House, in Chi Lang Park and along Dong Khoi Street to celebration these special occasions. They will run until September 10.

Leaders from many countries sent celebratory wishes to the Party, State, Government and National Assembly to mark the 69th National Day. They included messages from the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee; the President of China, Xi Jinping; the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Zhang Dejiang; and the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang.

Good wishes also came form the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party's Central Committee; the President of Laos, Choummaly Sayasone; the Lao Prime Minister, Thoongsinh Thammavong; and the Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly, Pany Yathotu.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen sent special congratulations to Viet Nam to mark the day.

Messages also came from leaders of Cuba, Russia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United Nations' Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon.

National Day overseas

On Monday, Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Sounthon Saynhachac visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane to mark the day.

Sounthon Saynhachac, who is also a member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of its External Committee, praised the achievements of the Vietnamese people.

He said he hoped the two countries would continue their close collaboration.

The Overseas Vietnamese Association in Phnom Penh held an event to mark 69th National Day. It was attended by the Vietnamese Embassy's Counsellor, Nguyen Van Sy, Vietnamese business people and nationals living in the country.

On Sunday, the Vietnamese community in Israel organised an event in Tel Aviv to celebrate the occasion.

Ambassador Ta Duy Chinh reiterated the significance of the August Revolution as an important milestone in the country's long history.

(Source: VNS)