A Vietnamese translation of the memoirs of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was launched yesterday in Hanoi, on the second death anniversary of the late Singaporean leader.

The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew contains Mr Lee’s personal accounts on the lead-up to Singapore’s independence, including the British colonial rule, the Second World War and the Japanese Occupation.

It also details the struggles that Singapore had to overcome post-independence. The book was translated by the Vietnam Intellectual Cooperation Centre and Omega Books.

Speaking at the launch event, Parliamentary Secretary (Culture, Community and Youth) Baey Yam Keng noted that Mr Lee had first visited Vietnam in 1992, during the initial stages of the Doi Moi reform period.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Dinh Quy speaking at the ceremony (source: dantri)

That was the first visit by a senior Singapore leader, said Mr Baey, adding that Mr Lee had developed a keen interest in Vietnam and kept close friendships with its leaders.

“Mr Lee had laid the foundation on which our excellent bilateral ties rest upon today. It is fitting that Mr Lee’s books have now been translated into Vietnamese,” he said.

He added: “With these books, more Vietnamese friends will be able to learn about the Singapore story, deepening the understanding and relations between our peoples.”

(From left to right) Singaporean Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng, Director of Vietnam Intellectual Cooperation Centre Nguyen Canh Binh, Singapore Ambassador to Vietnam Catherine Wong and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Dang Dinh Quy at the ceremony (photo: danviet)

Mr Baey was part of the delegation that accompanied Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on an official visit to Vietnam. PM Lee was not present at the book launch as he had other engagements. Later in the day, he spoke about it in his toast speech at a dinner hosted by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the International Conference Centre.

PM Lee said his father had struck up a close friendship with former prime minister Vo Van Kiet, and saw Vietnam’s economic potential as it embarked on reforms. He also admired its people’s energy, tenacity and resilience, said PM Lee to about 65 guests comprising members of the Singapore delegation, senior Vietnamese officials and Asean ambassadors.

PM Lee Hsien Loong presenting PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc with a copy of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's memoirs (photo: Betty Chua)

“The Vietnamese language version of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s memoirs was launched this afternoon. It is a meaningful occasion and it is a meaningful day to choose because today is the second anniversary of Mr Lee’s passing.

“Mr Lee would have been very happy to see this close friendship between our countries and leaders flourishing beyond him, and developing from the foundations that he laid,” he said./.

( VNF/Today News )