Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam: When a faraway land becomes home
	Palestinian Ambassador Saadi Salama: I Love Vietnamese As My Mother Tongue

After decades, Ambassador Saadi Salama affirmed: "Many things have changed in Vietnam, but one thing remains unchanged: my heart continues to love the country and its people as it used to for the last 44 years."

Ambassador Saadi Salama during his studies in Vietnam in the 1980s (L) and in the present. (Photo: Saddi Salama/Facebook)

Born in Hebron, Palestine in 1961, Vietnam had been a source of inspiration for Ambassador Saadi Salama and many Palestinians since his childhood. The image of a small yet resilient country, with its heroic wars of independence, left a deep impression on him. At the age of 19, he received a scholarship and chose Vietnam as the place for his studies. At Hanoi University, he studied the history and culture of Vietnam, aiming to better understand the mindset, character, and determination of a country that had achieved historic feats.

"Vietnam to me was like a dream. With all my anticipation, I longed to live, learn, and explore this country, so I could bring back practical experiences for Palestine in its upcoming struggle," shared Ambassador Saadi Salama in a media interview.

It was during his time studying in Vietnam that his love for the country deepened. "Vietnam entered deep into my heart, my mind, and my reasoning, becoming my second homeland, no different from Palestine," said he.

After graduating, Saadi Salama began his diplomatic career, working in several countries, but the impression of Vietnam always remained. From 1982 to 1983, he served as the Secretary in charge of information at the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Vietnam.

From 1989 to 1991, he was the Deputy Ambassador of Palestine to Vietnam. Since 2009, he has held the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to Vietnam. Notably, since 2019, he has also served as the Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Vietnam.

Reflecting on his journey with Vietnam, Ambassador Saadi Salama emphasized, "I am always grateful for the fate that brought me to Vietnam, making this country one of the most important parts of my life."

Ambassador Saadi Salama is one of the few foreigners deeply knowledgeable about the Vietnamese language and culture. He is fluent in Vietnamese and passionate about classic literary works such as Nguyen Du's The Tale of Kieu (Truyen Kieu), Ngo Tat To's When The Light Is Out (Tat Den), and Nam Cao's Chi Pheo.

He has translated many Vietnamese literary works into Arabic, including “Dien Bien Phu - Five Unprecedented Prodigious Facts in the War History” by Mai Trong Tuan and several poems from President Ho Chi Minh’s Prison Diary.

"Love for the language comes from love for the country. The more I studied Vietnamese, the more I fell in love with this country," shared the Ambassador.

Ambassador Saadi Salama has maintained the habit of visiting Hom market weekly to buy food for many years. (Photo: TTXVN)

Regarding the characteristics of Vietnamese people, in a 2023 interview with Tuoi Tre newspaper, Ambassador Saadi Salama noted, "The Vietnamese people are delicate and compassionate, often in the smallest ways. For example, when peeling any kind of fruit or vegetable, Vietnamese people always turn the knife blade outward, using the index finger as a fulcrum, rooted in the ancient belief that turning the blade toward oneself brings danger. Yet, when lending a knife to someone else, they are always willing to turn the blade toward themselves, so the back of the knife faces the other person.

The Vietnamese always share and sympathize when others are in difficulty, remain optimistic, and have unyielding determination. They are also incredibly hospitable people. This sincere affection has always made me want to explore Vietnam in my way, not just through books or classrooms, but also through encounters with people in everyday life." Every week, he still visits the Hom market to buy food and chat with vendors, using every opportunity to practice Vietnamese.

In over 20 years of living and working in Vietnam, Ambassador Saadi Salama has always regarded this country as his second home. "I have never felt like a foreigner living in Vietnam. I act, work, think, and communicate like a local, a Hanoian," shared he. The Ambassador has tried to foster the friendship between Vietnam and Palestine and sought to promote Vietnam’s image to the world as a country with a rich culture and a love for peace.

Ambassador Saadi Salama also shared his admiration for Vietnam’s development journey. He highly appreciated the vision of the country's leaders during the Doi Moi (Renewal) period, which helped the country overcome hardships to become the developing country it is today. According to him, Vietnam is a country with a strong integration capacity while still preserving its cultural identity.

In early 2023, Ambassador Saadi Salama published his memoir, “My Vietnam Story” (Cau chuyen Viet Nam cua toi), which records his profound experiences and feelings about the country and its people. The over 300-page book, divided into three parts, shares his life from growing up in Palestine, his studies in Vietnam, and his diplomatic career in several Southeast Asian countries. On the book's cover, he wrote with heartfelt sincerity: "I am not just a visitor in Vietnam. A big part of me belongs to Vietnam."

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