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On September 13 and 14, despite sudden showers sweeping across the North Sea region, the city of Ostend (Belgium) came alive with the vibrancy of ManiFiesta 2025, organized by the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB). The event is widely known as the “Festival of Solidarity.”

People visit Vietnam's booth at the ManiFiesta 2025 in Ostend. VNA/VNS Photos

Tens of thousands of people from across Belgium and neighboring countries flocked to the festival, immersing themselves in the jubilant, colorful atmosphere. Amidst the lively setting, Vietnam left a strong impression with its unique booth, imbued with the nation’s cultural spirit.

Despite the pouring rain, the Vietnamese booth remained crowded with visitors. Many, donning raincoats and carrying umbrellas, made their way through the soaked paths but still patiently stopped by to experience it.

T-shirts emblazoned with the red flag and yellow star, badges featuring portraits of President Ho Chi Minh, and photographs of his warm, simple smile sparked both curiosity and emotion, delighting many visitors. Some carefully treasured the badges, while others lingered over the portrait, carrying away with them a small but deeply meaningful keepsake.

A highlight was a digital exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh (Photo: VNA)

Inside the cozy space of the booth, guests slowly sipped hot tea, savored the rich aroma of Vietnamese coffee, and engaged in lively conversations. In their hands were publications issued by the Vietnam News Agency, such as “Le Courrier du Vietnam” and “Vietnam Pictorial”. All of these elements blended to create a welcoming stopover, where the rustic yet distinctive essence of Vietnam spread warmly in the distant seaside city of Ostend.

A highlight of the Vietnamese booth was the digital exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh, organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace. With just a smartphone, visitors could scan a QR code and embark on a journey to explore his life and career.

Amid the bustling crowd, Kubra Sertkaya shared with a VNA reporter: “Last year, I read a book about Ho Chi Minh and was truly impressed. For the first time, I understood the Vietnamese revolutionaries and their immense sacrifices. Today, I am very happy to see the Vietnamese booth with my own eyes and feel a closer connection to this country.”

A French visitor, Karel Peeters, recalled with emotion: “Since childhood, I have had a special affection for Vietnam. I believe Ho Chi Minh had very progressive ideas, a socialist ideal that was both humanistic and profound. That has always made me care for and respect your country.”

Inside the cozy space of the booth, guests slowly sipped hot tea, savored the rich aroma of Vietnamese coffee, and engaged in lively conversations. (Photo: VNA)

In addition, President Ho Chi Minh was also honored as one of six prominent leaders of the global struggle for national independence, featured prominently in the festival’s main exhibition area.

Vietnam’s presence also left a strong impression on European political circles. Member of the European Parliament Marc Botenga shared: “It is wonderful to see Vietnam at ManiFiesta, telling the story of its struggle for independence. In such a meaningful commemorative year, Vietnam’s presence is a great honor for us.”

Bozzo Freddy, a Brussels resident, said that although he lives in the capital, he attends ManiFiesta every year. The festival always brings him unique experiences. He observed that despite the unfavorable weather, heavy rains could not deter festival-goers. They came not only out of curiosity but also to meet like-minded people, to feel that they are not alone in the struggle for justice.

According to Freddy, ManiFiesta is a place for fascinating encounters between people from all over the world. Even without traveling far, visitors can still learn about what is happening in other countries simply by exploring the booths.

He noted that the media does not always fulfill its role of connecting citizens, politicians, and social organizations. That is why ManiFiesta is so valuable - it provides a direct, vibrant, and authentic form of engagement.

Tourists visit the Vietnamese booth (Photo: VNA)

Freddy emphasized that for people like him, coming to the festival is about finding an emotion, a sense of harmony. Only when people “stand shoulder to shoulder” can they confront injustices and abuses around the world. For him, the keyword of ManiFiesta is “solidarity.”

Beyond the exhibitions, ManiFiesta 2025 also came alive with a series of concerts by international artists such as Barbara Pravi, Youssoupha, Youssef Swatt’s, and 47Soul. Their music, rising against the gray skies, seemed to warm the entire seaside city.

Alongside the festivities were international panel discussions featuring familiar names such as Jeremy Corbyn, Christiane Benner, and Kristen R. Ghodsee, who engaged in conversations on labor, the environment, social justice, and world peace.

The festival also offered welcoming spaces such as a book fair, film screenings, sports activities, and dedicated corners for youth and families. All these elements intertwined to create a “bigger picture,” where the joy of meeting and the spirit of solidarity became the threads that bound the community together.

At ManiFiesta 2025, Vietnam not only promoted the image of the country but also affirmed its active presence in cultural and social spaces rich in humanity. The Vietnam booth left a beautiful impression on international friends, contributing to nurturing the friendship between the Vietnamese people, the Belgian people, and friends from around the world.

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