"Today, we again express our strong solidarity with the Vietnamese people," international friends said in an open letter to the Vietnamese people.

The international friends have come to Vietnam from many countries all over the world to attend a "Meeting with international friends for solidarity, friendship and co-operation with Vietnam" and to join with the Vietnamese people in celebrating the 60th National Day of Vietnam.

They praised Vietnam's August Revolution and Independence Day as "the gain of a nation's prolonged, hard and brave struggle for their human dignity, social equality and national independence."

The letter said "Vietnam has become a symbol of the will of a nation to fight colonialism and imperialism for national liberation. The Vietnamese people's struggle won the minds and hearts of people worldwide and has also encouraged those who love peace and justice in the world. We thank the Vietnamese people for such encouragement."

"Your successes in the Doi moi (renovation) process over the past decades have demonstrated the necessity and vitality of socialism," it noted.

"We renew our commitment to further strengthen the friendship and co-operation with the Vietnamese people in their current efforts for national independence and socialism. At the same time, we will never forget your pain and suffering caused by the war in the past, particularly the victims of Agent Orange, who are demanding justice," it concluded. (VNA)