Diverse Activities to Celebrate President Ho Chi Minh's 134th Birthday Abroad

Germany: Visit a Viet expat who met Uncle Ho twice

The Vietnamese Embassy to Germany paid a visit to the family of Le Duc Duong (currently living in Hoppegarten City, Brandenburg state), who had the honor of meeting Uncle Ho twice.

Le Duc Duong, a former student of Moritzburg School, shares his memories of meeting Uncle Ho. (Photo: VNA)

Talking with Ambassador Vu Quang Minh, Duong said that the beautiful memories and advice of President Ho Chi Minh are always imprinted in his mind, following him throughout his journey in Germany. For every Vietnamese person, it is the greatest honor to meet Uncle Ho once in their life, but for him, that happiness is doubled.

He first met Uncle Ho on a morning in August 1955. Duong had the opportunity to visit Uncle Ho at the Presidential Palace and listen to his advice before leaving for Germany. "The Party and the Government have chosen you, sent you to Germany to study. You must make every effort to help the country in the future," the kind words were imprinted in the students' minds that day.

The second time was two years after studying in Moritzburg, Saxony (Germany). He met President Ho Chi Minh again during his state visit to the German Democratic Republic at the invitation of the then-President Wilhelm Pieck.

President Ho Chi Minh took photos with sailors during his visit to the German Democratic Republic. (Photo: Bundesarchiv Bild)

Duong talked about Kathe Kollwitz school, where he and about 350 students from 9 to 15 years old were sent to study since 1955. When visiting the school, Uncle Ho said: "You guys can rest assured. Be well-behaved, so that in the future you can become a useful person and help build the country." He also said: "Germans have a good quality of work discipline and punctuality. When you come to Germany, you must learn that quality."

Nearly 70 years have passed since the first time meeting Uncle Ho, Duong and his classmates still carry with them the baggage of Uncle Ho's advice. "No matter where you work or and what position you are in, Uncle Ho's advice still remains valid," Duong said.

"My friends and I are proud to say that we have fulfilled one of Uncle Ho's teachings, which is to study well and work well," Duong said.

On May 17, officials of the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin held an incense offering ceremony to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh at the Embassy headquarters. The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Vu Quang Minh, Minister Counselor Chu Tuan Duc, and representatives of agencies besides the Embassy.

Cuba: Offer flowers at the park named after President Ho Chi Minh

Also on this occasion, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba held a flower-laying ceremony at the park named after President Ho Chi Minh in the capital La Habana.

Flower laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Park in La Habana (Cuba). (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long highlighted the legacy of President Ho Chi Minh - a hero of national liberation, a prominent revolutionary of the communist and workers' international movements, a world cultural figure, and a beloved leader of the Vietnamese people. On this same day 129 years ago (May 19, 1895), Cuban National Hero José Martí fell in the fight for independence for his country.

According to Ambassador Le Quang Long, the similarities and historical coincidences between the two outstanding historical figures of Vietnam and Cuba are the similarities in the spirit of patriotism, the ideology of liberation, and gaining independence and autonomy for the nations. The leaders' desire for freedom, independence, and progressive ideology is a solid foundation for the two countries to cultivate a faithful and steadfast friendship.

Vice President of the Cuba - Vietnam Friendship Association Ruvislei González Sáez said President Ho Chi Minh is a man of universal stature, a great revolutionary who fought tirelessly for the best cause of Vietnam and Humanity, a great but humble person. The great thoughts of President Ho Chi Minh live forever in the hearts of 100 million Vietnamese people and all revolutionaries around the world.

Ruvislei González Sáez said that ICAP, the Cuba - Vietnam Friendship Association, and the University of La Habana want to further study President Ho Chi Minh's thoughts and promote his legacy in the new era. He believes that future generations of the two countries will carry on those eternal values, leading the two countries to develop in peace, towards socialism.

At the ceremony, students at primary and secondary schools presented songs, poems, and dances praising Uncle Hoand the revolutionary cause, and the special solidarity of the two peoples.

Cambodia: Call for the realization of Uncle Ho's wishes

On May 17, in a solemn atmosphere, the Party Committee in Cambodia offered incense to commemorate and express infinite gratitude and deep respect to President Ho Chi Minh at Uncle Ho's worship room at the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia.

Incense offering ceremony to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh in Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)

At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang requested all officials, party members, and the masses of the Party Committee in Cambodia to promote learning and following President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style, and strive to complete the tasks of 2024 in all aspects.

Party committees of Party units and each Party member need to uphold responsibility in Party building and have specific and practical contributions to the building of Party units, the Party Committee to be transparent and strong.

The Ambassador called on the Vietnamese businesses in Cambodia to be more proactive, innovative, and creative in production and business, contributing to breakthroughs in bilateral economic cooperation.

The Ambassador noted that the Vietnamese community in Cambodia needs to continue to promote the tradition of solidarity. They need to help each other constantly improve, overcome difficulties and obstacles, and find ways to thrive in life. They should strictly follow the laws of the host country, and wholeheartedly look towards their homeland. Each must become a solid bridge for Vietnam - Cambodia relations.

Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang emphasized that the good results of these tasks would contribute to realizing Uncle Ho's wish of bringing Vietnam to develop quickly and sustainably, to soon be on par with the powers of the five continents.

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