Kim Lien Commune in Nghe An province is the childhood home of Vietnam's leading revoluntionary and first president. While the outside appears to be a modern Vietnamese town, an ancient village still remains perfectly intact. The simple wooden walls and a thatched roof once housed Nguyen Sinh Cung, the boy who grew up to become Ho Chi Minh and liberate his nation.
Ho Chi Minh's childhood home. Photo by Glen MacDonald.
Walking in the footsteps of Uncle Ho. Photo by Glen MacDonald.
As the son of a Confucian scholar, young Uncle Ho quickly realized the value of education and was instilled with worldly wonder. In addition to his education, Ho Chi Minh's father, Nguyen Sinh Sac, introduced him to national pride and revolutionary activity against the occupying French colonial forces. Freedom-fighting villagers would hide their weapons in the well nearby his home.
Nowadays, as Vietnam enjoys peacetime, Ho Chi Minh's village has been blessed with a bounty of lotus gardens. The lotus flower is emblematic of the struggles and triumphs of the Vietnamese people. Like the flower that grows above muddy areas, the Vietnamese people seem to blossom far above the hardships of the past.
Photo by Glen MacDonald.
Photo by Glen MacDonald.
Photo by Glen MacDonald.
Photo of Glen MacDonald.
Photo by Glen MacDonald.
Photo by Glen MacDonald.
Photo by Glen MacDonald.
Dozens of Vietnamese people visit the site to pay homage to their beloved leader. In the lush, natural spot, the words of Ho Chi Minh ring true; “To reap a return in ten years, plant trees. To reap a return in 100, cultivate the people.”
The Party and State of Vietnam have been, are and will be determined to achieve the goal of ensuring and better protecting human rights on the basis of a rule-of-law state and socialist democracy under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, while contributing to the international community in resolving regional and global issues on human rights. Accordingly, it is necessary to well organize the implementation of the following basic contents and tasks.
General Secretary To Lam, in his recent articles and speeches, emphasized that Vietnam is at a pivotal moment, converging all advantages and strengths to usher the country into a new era of nation's rise. This new era follows the era of independence, freedom, building socialism, and innovation. The General Secretary has clearly outlined the foundations for setting goals and seizing historical opportunities to propel the country into this era of national growth.
Reflecting on the practical activities across historical periods helps evaluate the contributions and pivotal role of diplomacy in safeguarding the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, thereby drawing lessons and setting directions for the future.
Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralization of international relations remains a consistent stance of the Party and State. Amid the current trend of opening up and international integration, the Party and State have cleverly led and managed foreign affairs activities with flexibility and promptness, aligning with both domestic and international contexts. Recent successful foreign affairs events have significantly consolidated and elevated Vietnam's position and prestige on the international political stage. However, hostile forces propagate false arguments to distort the Party and State's viewpoints on foreign affairs.
Vietnam's steadfast and flexible diplomatic efforts have contributed to controlling and preventing conflicts, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development.
The history of Vietnam’s diplomacy is inseparable from the significant milestones in the nation’s journey of building and defending its homeland. Over nearly five decades since liberation, Vietnam’s foreign affairs have consistently accompanied the country in overcoming immense challenges.
Vietnam consistently and transparently implements its national defense policy of peace and self-defense, always choosing and standing on the side of justice.