Ho Chi Minh And Deep Admiration in the Memories of International friends
	University of Havana Launches Department of Ho Chi Minh Studies

The event played a key role in defining the purpose, refining the content, and standardizing the implementation of the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space model in the modern era. It seeks to creatively and effectively share his ideology, moral values, and cultural legacy with international audiences, adapting to the unique context of each host country.

The event is part of a broader series of activities celebrating the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth (1890–2025) and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnamese Diplomatic Sector (1945–2025). It also contributes to implementing the Secretariat's Directive on promoting President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology and legacy internationally, in alignment with the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of External Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, highlighted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ close collaboration with ministries, sectors, localities, organizations, and individuals across Vietnam, alongside a network of over 90 Vietnamese representative missions worldwide, to organize a wide range of activities honoring President Ho Chi Minh across all continents.

These initiatives take various forms, including constructing statues, naming streets, hosting exhibitions, screening documentaries, establishing memorial rooms, facilitating cultural exchanges, attracting audiences, and collecting responses from local authorities and communities.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van emphasized the urgent need to standardize the content and implementation of Ho Chi Minh Cultural Spaces abroad, ensuring greater effectiveness, interactivity, and alignment with the cultural and social contexts of each host country.

International workshop “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space at Vietnamese Representative Missions Abroad” was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi on June 9. (Photo: Minh Thu)

At the conference, scholars, cultural researchers, artists, and international representatives shared insightful perspectives, underscoring the significance of Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space as a dynamic cultural institution rich in humanistic values and far-reaching influence.

From an international standpoint, Jonathan Baker, Head of UNESCO Office in Hanoi, praised President Ho Chi Minh’s global ideological stature, particularly in education, peace, and sustainable development - core values that UNESCO continues to champion. He emphasized that UNESCO’s recognition of President Ho Chi Minh in 1987 was not merely a historical acknowledgment but remains a lasting source of inspiration for cultural initiatives in the 21st century.

Jonathan Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, speaking at the conference. (Photo: Minh Thu)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium, Nguyen Van Thao, underscored the importance of standardizing the content and significance of the "Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space" - not just as a memorial, but as a platform for promoting Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and leadership style.

He stressed that implementation should be flexible, tailored to the specific conditions of each Vietnamese representative mission abroad. To ensure consistency and effectiveness, he proposed close coordination and unified guidance from relevant ministries, departments, and sectors in defining the content, significance, and program of activities within the Ho Chi Minh Space.

The Ambassador also highlighted the need for diverse initiatives within the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space, including seminars, discussions, and competitions exploring Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and leadership. These activities should engage officials and staff of Vietnamese representative agencies, overseas Vietnamese communities, and international partners.

"We have approximately 6 million overseas Vietnamese and over 132,000 Vietnamese students studying abroad. This is a key force that can collaborate to organize these meaningful activities, especially during major national celebrations," the Ambassador emphasized.

At the conference, representatives from various foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam shared their experiences in preserving and promoting the legacies of national leaders, while expressing their deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh.

Representatives from the Thai Embassy highlighted their efforts in promoting the legacy of the Thai monarchy and reinforcing national cultural identity. They emphasized the crucial role of the overseas Vietnamese community as a bridge for spreading and connecting Thai culture with international audiences.

Delegates from the Chinese Embassy conveyed the profound affection of the Chinese people for President Ho Chi Minh, the founder of Vietnam-China friendship. They noted that works and relics associated with Uncle Ho remain carefully preserved and honored in China, recognized as part of the shared heritage between the two nations.

Representatives from the Angolan Embassy discussed their experiences in safeguarding and celebrating the legacy of Angola's first president and national hero, António Agostinho Neto. Through memorial spaces and international exchange initiatives, they contribute to deepening mutual understanding and strengthening connections between Angola and the global community.

The representative of the Cuban Embassy emphasized that the image of Uncle Ho remains deeply embedded in the hearts of the Cuban people, alongside Cuban leaders, José Martí, and Fidel Castro. This enduring admiration is vividly reflected in memorial works, cultural publications, and ongoing cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two nations.

In his closing speech at the workshop, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu outlined five key directions for the effective, creative, and sustainable development of the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space in the modern era. He stressed the need to standardize content, innovate formats, and integrate digital technology to enhance engagement, particularly among younger generations. Additionally, he underscored the role of art, including literature, music, and cinema, as a powerful medium for inspiring and uniting communities. Further priorities include expanding document collections, connecting witnesses, and fostering interdisciplinary research to deepen cultural and historical understanding. He also highlighted the proactive role of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad in preserving and promoting Uncle Ho’s legacy. Strengthening social engagement and mobilizing participation from localities, businesses, and overseas Vietnamese communities is essential in creating a vibrant, far-reaching, and sustainable cultural space.

On the sidelines of the workshop, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a photo exhibition showcasing rare documents and images chronicling President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary, diplomatic, and ideological journey. A dedicated book space featured key publications about him in multiple languages, drawing significant interest from domestic and international delegates.

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