Vietnam celebrates 35th anniversary of UNESCO's resolution honouring Uncle Ho

Speaking at the celebration, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh recalled that in 1987, the General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (issued Resolution No.24C/18.65 on marking the 100th birthday anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh. 

The resolution described President Ho Chi Minh as “an outstanding symbol of national affirmation, who devoted his whole life to the national liberation of the Vietnamese people, contributing to the common struggle of peoples for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress".

The document highlighted that Ho Chi Minh was an embodiment of nations’ aspiration and helped increase mutual understanding and links among nations.

UNESCO’s honoring of President Ho Chi Minh was of great significance and seen as a source of great spiritual encouragement to help the whole country to resolve and stay united to overcome difficulties and challenges.

The standing deputy prime minister affirmed that for the Vietnamese nation President Ho Chi Minh was a genius leader, a hero of national liberation, a great teacher of the Vietnamese revolution, an outstanding diplomat and the inspiration for the confidence in the victory of the struggle for national independence and people’s prosperity. 

For people in the world, the President was a close and loyal friend, a symbol of the aspiration for peace and the struggle against oppression and inequity, and an emissary of peace, solidarity, friendship, cooperation among nations. He inspired and encouraged oppressed people to stand up to defeat old and new colonialism. He was also an “Excellent Cultural Celebrity,” a vivid embodiment of treasuring, preserving, and promoting national cultural traditions, respecting differences, and enhancing understanding and solidarity.

For her part, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay said that in 1987, UNESCO decided to honor two great leaders, President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, for the lasting values of the legacy these two celebrities left to the world. Audrey Azoulay affirmed that the greatest legacy of President Ho Chi Minh is his vision on education for all people.

According to her, effectively inheriting and developing this legacy, UNESCO and Vietnam have been well cooperated in preserving and upholding the value of national cultural identity. she pledged that with attained achievements over the past time, UNESCO will strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in a more active manner in the coming time.

On the occasion, a bilingual book on people in the world and President Ho Chi Minh, titled “The world people's affection for President Ho Chi Minh,” made its debut under the auspices of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Truth National Political Publishing House.

In the "Foreword" of the book, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong applauded the authors for their dedication and responsibility in compiling and publishing the book. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong evaluated that this is a meaningful deed to commemorate and honor President Ho Chi Minh's great contribution to Vietnam and progressive humanity.

The Party leader wrote, "Few people become a legend right from the time when they are still alive like President Ho Chi Minh, and although Uncle Ho has passed away, his name and career will last forever with the country, live forever in the hearts of the Vietnamese people and the mankind. He left an extremely valuable ideological legacy with intact values.” He added that President Ho Chi Minh was a shining example of morality and lifestyle.