North Korea and Vietnam marked their 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations with a reception in Pyongyang on Thursday and an exchange of greetings between the two country’s leaders.

While the actual anniversary falls on January 31, domestic media in both North Korea and Vietnam have been keen to highlight relations between the two countries as well as the upcoming landmark date.

The ruling Vietnamese Communist Party newspaper Nahn Dan, reported that Kim Jong Un, Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju and Choe Thae Bok sent official messages praising Vietnam and ongoing positive relations.

“The DPRK leaders expressed their belief