Story of Vietnam in Alisher Mukhamedov's Heart

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Uncle Ho in Uzbekistan's memories

In the brightly lit room of the Photography House in Tashkent, black and white photos of President Ho Chi Minh during his visit to Uzbekistan in 1959 are solemnly displayed. It was the first time the Uzbek public had a comprehensive look into these historic moments.

The President of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association, Alisher Mukhamedov, who hosted the exhibition, said with emotion: "The friendship between the two countries was founded by our predecessors, and has been nurtured through many generations to develop and benefit the people of both sides."

Photo exhibition "The lasting friendship between Uzbekistan and Vietnam" organized by the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association, April 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Alisher Mukhamedov carries the legacy of his family's deep connection to Vietnam. His father, Rustam Mukhamedov, was the youngest member of the Soviet Prosecutor General’s Office delegation to Vietnam in 1963, where he had the honor of meeting Uncle Ho. Speaking to the Vietnamese press, Alisher shared that his father vividly remembered Uncle Ho’s words that once the war ended, the Vietnamese people would build a just and prosperous society. These stories shaped Alisher’s upbringing.

When Uzbekistan television broadcast Vietnam’s victory on April 30, 1975, marking the end of a 30-year struggle for independence, freedom, and national reunification, young Alisher was profoundly moved. He remarked that Vietnam’s victory became a symbol for global movements striving for peace, independence, and progress, inspiring countless nations. In Uzbekistan, friends of Vietnam commemorate two victories in tandem: the April 30 Victory and the May 9 Victory over fascism, viewing them as twin milestones of resilient nations.

During the visit of Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Uzbekistan in April 2025, Alisher Mukhamedov once again recalled the image of President Ho Chi Minh in the memory of the people of Uzbekistan. He emphasized that the friendship between the two nations is rooted in history. He believes that over 3,500 Vietnamese students in Uzbekistan are the first and most important "people-to-people diplomats" contributing to building the bridge of friendship.

Reflecting on Vietnam’s 50-year journey since reunification, Mukhamedov described it as a “spectacular transformation”, from the launch of Doi Moi (Renewal) in 1986 to Vietnam’s emergence as one of the most dynamic economies in the Asia-Pacific region. He expressed particular admiration for Vietnam’s policy of national solidarity and its “four no’s” defense strategy, viewing them as key pillars that have helped the country preserve peace and stability while advancing development.

A people-to-people bridge stands for over two decades

Since the Uzbekistan–Vietnam Friendship Association was established in 1999, Alisher Mukhamedov has been fully committed to its activities, serving in various roles, including Secretary, General Secretary, Vice President, and currently as President of the Association. Under his leadership, annual events such as celebrations of Vietnam’s and Uzbekistan’s Independence Day, exchanges, seminars, exhibitions, translations, and cultural promotion between the two countries have been consistently organized.

In 2021, he presided over the translation of President Ho Chi Minh’s Prison Diary poetry collection into Uzbek, helping bring Vietnam’s spiritual heritage closer to friends in the neighboring country.

Alisher Mukhamedov introduces the Uzbek translation of President Ho Chi Minh's poem collection "Prison Diary" at a friendship meeting to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Uzbekistan diplomatic relations, on August 30, 2022. (Photo: Thu Ha)

Alisher Mukhamedov also serves as a bridge for tourism and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Vietnam. He works with Uzbekistani businesses to organize seminars that showcase Vietnam’s tourism potential, facilitate connections between enterprises from both countries to explore investment opportunities, and promote travel exchanges, bringing Uzbekistani tourists to destinations such as Ha Long, Hoi An, and Hanoi, and vice versa.

That spirit of friendship continues to echo in music. In 2022, he composed the song Tashkent-Hanoi, Hanoi-Tashkent, inspired by family memories and his deep affection for Vietnam. The piece was honored with the third prize at the 9th National Award for Foreign Information.

Speaking to the VietnamTimes reporters, he shared: “The composition process was easy because it originated from my feelings and experiences. It was the affection that was kindled by the stories my father told about the country and people of Vietnam. That initial sentiment was further nurtured by the sincere feelings that Vietnamese friends had for me.”

Alisher Mukhamedov (third from left), President of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association, received the Third Prize at the 9th National Award for External Information Service with the song "Tashkent-Hanoi, Hanoi-Tashkent" (Photo: Mai Anh).

In recognition of his enduring contributions, Alisher Mukhamedov was awarded the "For Peace and Friendship among Nations" medal in 2022, the highest honor bestowed by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations to international friends.

His journeys, photographs, music, and even the simple stories he shares, about pho, fried spring rolls, or morning coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake, are woven into the heartfelt, genuine affection of an Uzbek friend for Vietnam.

He once said, “I love Vietnam. I have many close friends here. I hope that we will be the links connecting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, so that the Vietnam–Uzbekistan relationship will become increasingly close, despite the geographical distance.”

As Vietnam prepares to celebrate its 80th National Day, Alisher Mukhamedov is once again heading to Hanoi. But this is more than a visit, it is a continuation of the journey he has quietly and faithfully nurtured over decades: the journey of a friend, a “people’s bridge” between two nations, helping the Vietnam–Uzbekistan friendship grow ever stronger.

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