(VOV) -The 46^th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was marked by a flag hoisting ceremony in Hanoi on Thursday. Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Bui Hong Linh, and diplomats from ASEAN member countries attended the ceremony. The flag hoisting promotes ASEAN’s image and creates a sense of community that contributes to the success of ASEAN.

The flag hoisting ceremony marks the 46th anniversary of ASEAN. (Photo: VOV)

The same day, other ASEAN member countries also hoisted flags, signaling their determination to build an ASEAN Community by 2015 with a focus on three key pillars – politics/security, economics, and culture/society.