Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a ceremony to hoist the flags of Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) here Thursday to mark the 46th founding anniversary of ASEAN and 18th anniversary of Vietnam's admission to the organization, local press reported.

Participants to the event included heads of foreign diplomatic missions from ASEAN member countries and heads of the Vietnamese ministries, reported state-run Vietnam News Agency.

Since the first five countries signing the Bangkok Declaration to set up the association in August 1967, ASEAN has now encompassed 10 countries in the Southeast Asian region, enjoying increasing consensus, close connection and strong cooperation for mutual development.

Solidarity and cooperation for mutual development have always been the main trend in ASEAN throughout its 46-year existence, which closely connect its member countries.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has affirmed that ASEAN solidarity and consensus has been clearly demonstrated, especially when dealing with sensitive issues and priorities during the final stage of the formation of the ASEAN Community by 2015.

During its 18-year journey with the ASEAN after joining the association on July 28, 1995, Vietnam has actively, positively and responsibly participated in the association's activities, the reports said.

ASEAN cooperation will be an important pillar in Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralisation and active regional and international integration, it added.