1.
GV Cyclists in Hanoi street (2 shots)
0.16

2.
SV Flags outside buildings
0.21

3.
SV People walking in street past flags and banners
0.24

4.
SV Streamers across street
0.27

5.
SV Tram past camera
0.37

6.
GV Ext. Bahdin Hall
0.42

7.
CU Portrait of Ho Chi Minh on building
0.43

8.
SV Int. Leaders assembling on platform ZOOM IN TO Premier Pham Van Dong (left)
1.00

9.
SV Children onto platform to present flowers PAN TO leaders smiling & thanking children
1.28

10.
SV Audience applaud
1.33

11.
CU Portrait of Ho Chi Minh ZOOM BACK to Premier Pham Van Dong speaking
1.44

12.
SV Audience listen
1.47

13.
SV Premier speaking
1.50

14.
CU President Ton Duc Thang listening
1.55

15.
SV General Giap clapping
1.58

16.
SV Audience applaud (2 shots)
2.06



Initials OS/1656 OS/1708


This material is official film from North Vietnam

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The North Vietnamese leadership gathered at the Bahdin Hall in Hanoi to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2. at the ceremony were President Ton Duc Thang. Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, Party First Secretary Le Duan, foreign Minister Duy Trinh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Defence Minister.

The ceremony came as North Vietnam counted the cost of the disastrous floods in the Red River delta, Hanoi's rice-bowl where the majority of the North Vietnamese population lives. Prime Minister Pham Van Dong referred to the disaster in his speech at the rally, where he also attacked the recent elections in South Vietnam.

SYNOPSIS: In North Vietnam, the 26th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam this month, attracted only muted celebrations. There were flags in the streets of hanoi, but no fireworks or public spectacles. The reason is the disastrous floods which have ravaged the Red River delta, the North Vietnamese rice-bowl where most of the country's inhabitants live.

The floods apparently struck just as North Vietnam was completing its economic recovery after heavy United States bombing between 1965 and 1968, and had recorded bumper harvests.

The principle ceremony marking the anniversary of the North Vietnamese regime consisted of a rally in the Bandin Hall is Hanoi. Representatives of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam and Hanoi-based diplomats assembled with major figures in the North Vietnamese leadership to hear a report by Premier ??? Van Dong (left of picture).

The party included President Ton Duc Than Party First Secretary Le Daun, National Congress Chairman Truoung Chinh, Foreign Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh and General Gia the North Vietnamese Defence Minister. North Vietnamese children added a festive touch to the occasion. Then the rally to a more serious turn as Prime Minister Pham Van Dong gave an hour-long speech in which he revealed details of the flood disaster.

The Prime Minister said the northern part of the country had been affected b a very big flood, bigger even than that of 1945, itself a catastrophe which had left painful memories. Agriculture, communications, transport, state and private property had all suffered losses, he said The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to attack the recent South Vietnamese elections, which he described as "a puppe??? show."