1.
SV Street scene PAN across poster of Ho Chi Minh
0.06

2.
SV & LV Flag hoisted
0.14

3.
SV INT. President Ton Duc Thang greets Soviet Ambassador & other officials ZOOM IN CU Premier Pham-Van Dong & General Giap
0.40

4.
SV Giap applauding PAN TO President speaking
.51

5.
GV ZOOM IN TO Premier
0.58

6.
SV Officials toast (2 shots)
1.15


Street scene of Hanoi panning to poster of Ho Chi Minh; national flag hoisted; President Ton Duc Thang greets Soviet Ambassador and other guests, including General Giap; president speaking and audience applaud; close-up Premier Pham-Van Dong.




Initials SGM/2135 SGM/2200



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: This year's celebration of the 27th anniversary of Foundation Day (the creation of Vietnam) were unnaturally quiet in Hanoi - because, say the North Vietnamese, U.S. bombing raids over the capital made public festivals too dangerous.

Instead, every house hoisted the national flag of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and posters all over Hanoi called for citizens "to continue to the end the bitter fight against the United States imperialists".

A formal Foundation Day reception was given by President Ton Duc Thang at his official residence. Amongst the guests were Soviet Ambassador Mr. Shel Bakofu and senior North Vietnamese officials, including Defence Minister, General Vo Nguyen Giap.

President Ton Duc Thang, who is now over 80, said at the gathering that North Vietnam would continue the war in association with the peoples of Khmer and Laos, and "would not compromise with the enemy no matter what happens."
In Washington, officials are still waiting for news of the three captured American pilots Hanoi has promised the release as a Foundation Day gesture.