A Slovakian town celebrates President Ho Chi Minh

The town of Horne Saliby is more than 40 kilometers from the capital Bratislava. 64 years ago, Uncle Ho led a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to visit and leave a deep and loving affection for local officials and people here. Since then, the town of Horne Saliby has become a landmark, a historical witness to the good relationship between the two countries Vietnam-Slovakia.
June 10, 2021 | 07:15
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A Slovakian town celebrates President Ho Chi Minh
Leaders and people of Horne Saliby town welcomed Uncle Ho and the Vietnamese delegation in 1957. Photo: WVR

The historical mark of Slovakia-Vietnam relations

On July 18, 1957, Uncle Ho led a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to visit the Town Hall of Horne Saliby town.

This was part of a visit to socialist countries, including Czechoslovakia. For a town, it is a great honor to receive the president of the country who made Dien Bien Phu victory.

Here, Uncle Ho had many activities, visited farmers and production facilities. With a simple, friendly and sincere style, Uncle Ho left a very deep impression on the people of Horne Saliby town.

To record this historic event, and to show their affection for Uncle Ho, the town government of Horne Saliby made a bronze sign to be attached to the most solemn place on the wall of the town hall.

Slovakia and love for President Ho Chi Minh
On September 20, 2017, Comrade Vuong Dinh Hue (at that time, he was the Deputy Prime Minister) attended the opening ceremony of the signboard recording Uncle Ho's visit to Horne Saliby at the Town Hall of Horne Saliby town. Photo: WVR

On September 20, 2017, the opening ceremony of the sign was solemnly held as a big festival. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (at that time, he was the Deputy Prime Minister), led the Vietnamese Government delegation to attend and cut the ribbon.

The signboard serves as a symbol of the good faithful relationship between the government and people of the two countries Vietnam-Slovakia, and also as a reminder for generations of the two nations to cherish and nurture the relationship. That is also the pride of Vietnamese people in Slovakia.

Slovakia and love for President Ho Chi Minh
Katarina Filova presented comrade Vuong Dinh Hue with a traditional Slovak cake during the opening ceremony of a signboard recording the event Uncle Ho visited Horne Saliby town at Horne Saliby Town Hall. Photo: WVR

Uncle Ho in the hearts of Slovakia people

From 2017 until now, on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday, representatives of the Vietnamese community, officials and employees of the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia have come to Horne Saliby town, Galanta district, Trnava province, Slovakia to offer flowers to commemorate Uncle Ho.

Katarina Filova is 78 years old, at that time she was sent to hug a bouquet of flowers for Uncle Ho. Every time, on Uncle Ho's birthday, she made cakes and recalled the unforgettable memories of Uncle Ho with respect, emotion and pride.

Katarina Filova tearfully said: “I still often go to the place where the sign is placed to recall the beautiful memories of meeting Uncle Ho and tell my children and grandchildren about the day Uncle Ho visited the town. I hope that children and grandchildren know about this event and preserve the good relationship between the two peoples and two countries."

Horne Saliby's townhall building has become an appointment meeting place between Katarina Filova and the group every Uncle Ho's birthday - as a proof of the respect and loyalty of the people of Horne Saliby town towards Uncle Ho.

Slovakia and love for President Ho Chi Minh
The plow given to Uncle Ho by Horne Saliby Cooperative is kept in the traditional room of Vinh Kim commune. Photo: WVR

The Horne Saliby Cooperative gave Uncle Ho a Zetor-15K plow when he visited this place. After being transferred to Vietnam, Uncle Ho gave this machine to the people of Vinh Kim commune in Vinh Linh special zone of Quang Tri province in December 1959.

The plow has greatly contributed to the production and combat achievements of the people of Vinh Kim commune and is now kept in the Traditional Room of Vinh Kim commune, Vinh Linh, Quang Tri.

Slovakia and love for President Ho Chi Minh
The Vietnamese Community delegation and the Embassy came to offer flowers to commemorate Uncle Ho's birthday at Horne Saliby City Hall. Photo: WVR

The next generation of Vietnamese in Slovakia will still come to the town of Horne Saliby to offer flowers to commemorate Uncle Ho on every occasion of his birthday. Generations of mayor of Horne Saliby town still tell the story of Uncle Ho's visit and Katarina Filova's descendants will still make traditional Slovakian cakes to invite to Vietnamese people who come here every birthday.

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