Directive No. 534/TTg On the Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of ASEAN

 DIRECTIVE
Regarding the Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of ASEAN 

On August 8, 1997, ASEAN will mark its 30th anniversary since its establishment on August 8, 1967. The Informal Summit Meeting of ASEAN Countries held in November 1996 decided to organize solemn activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding, entrusting the ASEAN Secretariat (ASC) with preparing regional activities as well as those in each member country. The commemorative activities will last for one year, starting from August 8, 1997.

By the time of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding, our country has been a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for two years. Vietnam's participation in ASEAN has made a significant contribution to shifting the Southeast Asian situation from confrontation to cooperation, consolidating the peaceful and stable environment of the region, facilitating our country's expansion of international cooperation for development, and enhancing our position on the international stage. Therefore, participating in the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding has practical significance.

To organize Vietnam's activities and participate in joint activities within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations commemorating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding, the Prime Minister instructs relevant ministries and levels to grasp the spirit and implement the following matters:

1. Purpose, meaning, requirements:

Organizing activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding aims at the following purposes and requirements:

- Continuing to make the people understand more clearly the significance of our country joining ASEAN - a significant victory of our Party and State's foreign policy.

- Continuing to introduce the organizational structure, position, role, activities, and prospects of ASEAN.

- Highlighting the opportunities and challenges for our country in joining ASEAN, thereby motivating efforts from the people, all levels, sectors, enterprises of all economic components to promote the integration process, strengthen regional and international cooperation for the benefit of our country and people, and the common good of countries in the region.

- Introducing achievements in socio-economic development and the cultural identity of the Vietnamese nation; contributing to enhancing mutual understanding, solidarity, and friendship between our people and the people of ASEAN countries.

2. Principles of organization:

- Activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding must have substantive content, effectively combining with the promotion of major political events in the country during this period; avoiding ostentatious forms and wastefulness;

- Organizing solemnly, with diverse forms, economical costs, taking into account coordination among ASEAN countries.

3. Some main activities:

Participating in formal joint activities within the ASEAN framework;

- The National Committee on ASEAN shall direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Information, and the People's Committee of Hanoi City to organize a solemn rally on August 7, 1997, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding.

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall take the lead in organizing a reception on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding.

- The Ministry of Culture and Information shall take the lead in organizing cultural and artistic activities welcoming the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding from August 7, 1997, to the Sixth ASEAN Summit.

- Vietnam Television and Voice of Vietnam Radio shall build and broadcast special programs about ASEAN and our country's participation in ASEAN activities daily for one week around August 8, 1997. After approval by the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture and Information, Vietnam Television shall air the video film "Commemorating 30 Years of ASEAN" provided by the ASEAN Secretariat.

- The Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall coordinate with relevant agencies to guide mass media organizations to develop and implement plans and content for propaganda on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding.

- The Vietnam Photographers' Association shall organize an ASEAN Art Photography Festival in Hanoi.

- The General Post Office shall issue a commemorative stamp on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding.

- The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, guided by the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, the Ministry of Culture and Information, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shall organize cultural and artistic activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN's founding in the city.

The Prime Minister requests relevant ministries and sectors to develop plans with specific contents and measures, together with the Ministry of Finance to prepare necessary budget estimates for organizing these activities, and submit them to the Prime Minister for approval. The Ministry of Finance shall allocate the budget for organizing these activities according to the Prime Minister's Decision.