Vietnam Gate in Morocco Inaugurated, Symbolizing Friendship

The Vietnam Gate in the village Douar Sfari.

The Vietnam Gate in the village Douar Sfari located in the town of Ameur Seflia (province of Kenitra of Morocco) was inaugurated at a ceremony on November 24, Maroc Agence Presse reported.

This monument represents a traditional door of a Vietnamese village, built with tiles and decorated with dragon decorations imported from Vietnam and stone carved by the artisans of the Taza region.

Two sentences are engraved on this gate expressing the feelings of Moroccan-Vietnamese families: "In gratitude to the fatherland of Morocco, let us be determined to forge success. In nostalgia towards the maternal country of Vietnam, let us be determined to forge friendship between Morocco and Vietnam".

Martial art performance of Van Lang Vo Dao Maroc.

The inauguration of this monument, erected at the initiative of the Vietnamese embassy in Morocco in celebration of the friendship between the two countries, coincides with the 77th anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Morocco and Benin Dang Thi Thu Ha, paying tribute to the many Moroccan soldiers who deserted from the colonial army and fought alongside the Vietnamese, thus contributing to the liberation of Vietnam.

The diplomat also noted that the Vietnam Gate in Morocco and the Morocco Gate in Vietnam, built in the north of the capital Hanoi by these Moroccan soldiers, represent a strong embodiment of the shared values between the two countries.

The “Morocco Gate” in Ba Vi district, Hanoi, is a beautiful monument built between 1956 and 1960 by Moroccan soldiers who left the French army and join Viet Minh in the Indochina war. The gate was built with Vietnamese materials, inspired by the Moorish architectural style of Moroccan imperial cities.

For his part, High Commissioner for former resistance fighters and former members of the liberation army and president of the Morocco-Vietnam Friendship Association, Mustapha El Ktiri, welcomed this initiative like the Moroccan Gate erected by the Moroccan veterans in Ba Vi district, north of the capital Hanoi.

It aims to preserve and enhance the Moroccan-Vietnamese historical memory, which enshrines the sharing of a common past of struggles and sacrifices for the liberation, he stressed.

Moroccan friends pose for a photo in front of the Vietnam Gate in the village Douar Sfari.

Overview of the ceremony.

During the war of resistance against the French in Vietnam (1946-1954), thousands of African legionnaires, including Moroccans, deserted their French troop and joined the army of Vietnam, according to Vietnam News Agency.

After the Great Dien Bien Phu Victory, late President Ho Chi Minh instructed the establishment of a Vietnam – Africa plantation in Ba Vi district, receiving hundreds of former legionnaires and locals. Many of the former legionnaires married local women and settled down in the area.

The three-door-temple gate was built in 1963 by Moroccans who strived to maintain their culture, architecture and religion, calling it the “Immortal Gate”, or the “Permanent Gate” .

The last African soldier was allowed to leave Vietnam by 1970. When they returned to their homeland, they brought their wives and children with them.

The Embassy of Morocco to Vietnam and Hanoi city People's Committee celebrated the inauguration ceremony of the restoration of The Gate of Morocco on November 10, 2018. Source: VOV5

Vietnam, Monaco to Further Tap Cooperation Potential Vietnamese Ambassador to France and Monaco Dinh Toan Thang presented his credentials to Prince of Monaco Albert II, pledging to contribute to enhancing bilateral friendship ...

Morocco's Honorary Consulate Office Opens in HCM City The inauguration of the Honorary Consulate Office of the Kingdom of Morocco in Ho Chi Minh City was held on May 13.

Benin’s President Hopes Vietnam Share Experience in Socio-Economic Development, Int'l Integration The Benin’s Presidentsaid he had been to Vietnam three times and was very impressed with Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development and international integration.