(Dhaka, 17 May 2024),
Prof. Dr. Nakib M. Nasrullah, Vice Chancellor of Kustia Islamic University.
Today, the Embassy of Vietnam in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Group for Study of Comrade Ho Chi Minh's Works have the honor to organize the Seminar on "The great heritage of Ho Chi Minh's thoughts on diplomacy and how Vietnam becomes an active member in the international community" in celebration of the 135th Birth Anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (1890 -2025). With profound gratitude, I extend my appreciation to Dr. M. Jahangir Khan, President of Bangladesh Group for Study of Comrade Ho Chi Minh's Works; Prof. Dr. Nakib M. Nasrullah, our Chief Guest and all Bangladeshi friends for your devotion and attendance to the Seminar. 1 believe that this Seminar will be an important event to enhance Vietnam - Bangladesh mutual understanding and foster the friendship between people of the two countries.
President Ho Chi Minh is the greatest beloved leader in the heart of all Vietnamese people. His name has become familiar, close and respected by millions of people around the world, including Bangladeshi people. President Ho Chi Minh dedicated his whole life to the struggle for independence and freedom of Vietnam, as well as to the common struggle of the world people for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress. The name "Ho Chi Minh" by itself means that the person who brings the light. It is true because President Ho Chi Minh's thoughts have een enlightening the way for Vietnam to pursue the target of a strong nation, a rosperous people, an equitable, democratic and civilized society. UNESCO honors resident Ho Chi Minh as the "Hero of national liberation, an outstanding cultural elebrity". In Vietnam, the Vietnamese people call him “Bác H?” (Uncle H?).
President Ho Chi Minh's life and career are indeed a shining example of atriotism, which will forever be the pride of generations of Vietnamese people. Born in 390 as a son of the family of peasant origin and raised in the context of the nation being led by foreign invaders, President Ho Chi Minh acknowledged more than ever the sery of Vietnamese people losing their right to decide their own country's fate. itnessing the continuous defeat of domestic patriotic movements, in 1911, a young an Nguyen Tat Thanh Nguyen Ai Quoe - Ho Chi Minh decided to go abroad and find own way to save the country and its people. He traveled across continents,immersing himself in the tide of the working class, as well as combining theoretical wash and good practices of revolution around the world. After many years, he found the way to save the country "National Liberation associated with class liberation and maman tiberation, as well as national independence associated with socialism". The wisdom and correctness of Vietnamese revolutionary ideas and methods outlined by President Ho Chi Minh were proved through practice. The Vietnam's revolution overcame numerous difficulties and challenges, and won one victory after another. It was the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, which led to the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the first people-owned state in the nation's history, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It was the victory of the resistance war against the French, peaking with the Dien Bien Phu Campaign which was described as "resounding across the five continents and shaking the globe". The Victory of Dien Bien Phu Campaign forced the French colonialists to sit down at the negotiation table to discuss and sign the Geneva Accords putting an end to the prolonged French colonial rule and restoring peace in Indochina in July 1954.

Another great victory is in the resistance war against the US to save the country.

Faced with numerous adversities, sufferings and brutality, yet, by upholding the proud Iradition of resistance against foreign invasion, building upon the lessons learned from the resistance war against French colonialism, harnessing the power of the people and the all-nation solidarity, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Presidem H Ho Chi Minh, the entire Army and people of Vietnam pursued two strategic tasks all at once: the Socialist revolution in the North, and the national democratic revolution in the South, with the strong resolve to drive out foreign invaders. With an Invincible will to "march onward to liberate the South", Vietnamese Army and People recorded one victory after another with its apex being the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign that finally reunified the country and pushed the country into an era of national independence and socialism. On this occasion, I have the great honor to inform you that 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South of Vietnam and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975-April 30, 2025). In celebration of thi important event, Vietnam successfully organized the State-level Anniversary Ceremon in Ho Chi Minh City with 20 international delegations and more than 10 representatives of peace organizations, anti-war movements, and international frien who supported Vietnam. The highlight of this program was the grand military a civilian parade, overseen by the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam. The para includes 4 ceremonial marching blocks, 36 military parade blocks, and 12 m procession blocks. China, Laos and Cambodia also sent their parade contingents participate in the ceremony.

President Ho Chi Minh is a unique example in terms of intellectual leadership intimacy with great attachment to the working people, especially the farmers, possesa bright virtue, a great soul and a great personality. In President Ho Chi Minh's legacy, his thought on international integration is a factor of strategic importance to the Vietnamese revolution. It lays a solid foundation and serves as a guideline for Viet Nam's diplomacy, cooperation and international integration setivities. Immediately after the declaration of independence in 1945, the Government of Vietnam, led by President Ho Chi Minh, issued a communiqué on foreign policy, affirming the goal of "complete and permanent independence". In particular, the basic idea is to be friendly and cooperative with all countries, from the Allies, neighboring countries, the peoples fighting for liberation to the French people, including French nationals, Inheriting and following the international integration strategy in Ho Chi Minh's thought, up to now, Vietnam has implemented a foreign policy towards openness, multilateralization, diversification, active international integration, which is based on the principle of peace, independence, unity and sovereignty and socialism. It is thanks to its policy of expanding foreign relations and international integration that Vietnam has gradually overcome the situation of being besieged and embargoed, established diplomatic relations with most countries in the world, participated in regional and international organizations and forums, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). the Asian Economic Cooperation Asia-Pacific (APEC), World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations..., and promoted their proactive role in all activities at multilateral institutions. Reality has shown that President Ho Chi Minh's thought on "befriending all democratic countries without earning enmity towards any" is consistent with the current trend of international relations. These views have been thoroughly grasped and applied by the Party and State of Viet Nam in the policy and practice of Foreign relations, towards the goal of creating a peaceful and stable environment in the egion and in the world for the development as well as benefits of the country. Vietnam urrently has official diplomatic relations with 194 member countries of the United ations, including those that were once its former enemies. To date, Vietnam has set up artnership frameworks with 32 leading partners and is now enjoying the comprehensive ategic partnerships with 12 countries namely China, Russia, India, Korea, USA. pan, Australia, France, Malaysia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore. In today's alti-layered, crisscrossing international relations which are featured by complicated unpredictable developments, thoroughly grasping Ho Chi Minh's thought, Vietnam proactively and more comprehensively integrated in the world, thereby contributing

building strategic trust in cooperation, to the development of itself and to the common

Vietnam and Bangladesh have been enjoying an excellent traditional friendship. sed on many historical similarities and the shared values of independence, peace, Operation and development, the Vietnamese people always remember the support of Government, People of Bangladesh in the struggle of Vietnamese People for nationalfreedom, independence and reunification. Likewise, the Bangladeshi People always express the good sentiments and respect to President Ho Chi Minh and the achievements made by the State and People of Vietnam. Now we are on the right track to further foster the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Bangladesh to a higher level. In the recent years, many delegation exchanges were successfully organized with great outcomes which lay the cornerstones for the development of our political relations. Economic and trade cooperation is a highlight. The two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Bangladesh reached about 1.1 billion USD last year. The Vietnam's exports contributed roughly 979 million USD whereas the Bangladesh's exports are estimated at 122 million USD. The cultural cooperation and people-to-people contact also greatly contribute to the long-lasting trust and friendship of the two countries. The people of both countries are interested in learning about each other's country, culture, cuisine, lifestyle, and so on. More exchange activities have been held between two countries, like delegations of businessmen, traders, investors coming to explore the market; artists, performers to attend the diplomatic events; students coming to study or in exchange programs; journalist, reporters to make the news... and an increasing number of tourists. There is no doubt that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Bangladesh is indeed moving forwards and it is all thanks to the State leaders of both countries through many generations, and also the valuable support of all Bangladeshi friends.

In the coming time, in order to strengthen and deepen our traditional friendship, the people-to-people contact should be further promoted for the sake of mutual understanding, cooperation and prosperity of the two countries. The Embassy of Vietnam in Bangladesh and I will continue trying our best to work closely with all Bangladeshi friends and become the bridge connecting the two countries' people of all backgrounds. I strongly believe that, with your support and assistance, more and more bilateral achievements would be obtained in the very near future.