He added that the UNESCO General Assembly’s decision to take part in the organisation of Thang Long-Hanoi’s millennial celebrations in 2010 is a great honour for the city.

On the occasion, he sent out a message that the capital city of one thousand years is dynamically developing and together with international friends trying for an everlasting peace on earth, creating a stable ground for development, prosperity and integration.

Cuban Ambassador in Vietnam Fredesman Turro Gonzalez who has been living in Hanoi for more than 20 years also expressed his love to the city as his second homeland.

“Hanoi today is making great efforts to deserve the title,” he said. “It has become an important city in the Southeast Asia, having hosted and will host important events during Vietnam’s integration process into the region and the world, and contributing actively to the common struggle for peace in the world.”

In 1999, Hanoi was among five cities in five continents presented with the “City for Peace” award by the UNESCO to recognise its contributions to the struggle for peace as well as its development that meet the organisation’s standards of equality in the community, the urban construction, living environment protection, culture and education promotion, and care for young generations.