Swiss friends impressed with Vietnam's development

Vietnamese Ambassador Phung The Long with Swiss friends. (Photo: Anh Hien/VNA)

Uncle Ho is a shining symbol of the ideal of national independence associated with socialism, patriotism, compassion, profound wisdom and boundless sacrifice for the people and the Fatherland.

On the occasion of the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2025), VNA reporters in Switzerland had an interview with international friends about the image of Vietnam as a peace-loving country, focusing on economic development and caring for the lives of all people.

Coming to Vietnam for the first time in 1981, Ms. Margrit Schlosser always had special feelings for Vietnam. In her interviews with the media, the woman who has been associated with the Terre des Hommes humanitarian fund for many years affirmed that stories about Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh always brought her deep emotions and special impressions about this Southeast Asian country.

She shared: “Vietnam has developed strongly in the past 50 years. When I first came to Vietnam in 1981, everything was still difficult. The main means of transport was bicycles, there were almost no cars. But after returning to Vietnam, I saw clear development. There are more motorbikes and cars on the streets. Vietnam has built an economy, bringing a prosperous life to its people and helping many people escape poverty."

During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh mentioned the policy that all ethnic groups are equal and must unite closely, love and help each other like brothers. The people in the lowlands must make every effort to help the people in the highlands to progress in all aspects; at the same time, ethnic policies must aim at achieving equality and mutual assistance among ethnic groups to advance together towards socialism.

And according to Ms. Margrit Schlosser, although ethnic groups in mountainous areas in Vietnam still face many difficulties, this is a common problem that many countries have experienced.

“I am sure that Vietnam is not the only country facing this problem. Switzerland was in the same situation before. Some people may not believe it, but we still have poor people. Every problem takes time,” she said.

This year's celebration of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday has special significance for the Vietnamese people as Vietnam has just celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), towards the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

Sharing with VNA reporters after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South, Mr. Olivier Parriaux - a Swiss citizen who "risked his life" to hang the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam on top of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (France) on January 19, 1969, expressed his joy at the recent developments in Vietnam.

He shared: “Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Vietnam and recently I was invited to attend your important event. Although the distance between the two trips was not too far, I noticed that Ho Chi Minh City is developing rapidly. Everyone can see that, people enjoy goodeducation and have a good standard of living. I find this very positive, especially after I learned about what you have changed after the Doi Moi process in 1986."

On this occasion, Mr. Olivier Parriaux and his friends introduced the book "Le Viet Cong au sommet de Notre-Dame" (tentatively translated: Viet Cong flag on top of Notre-Dame Cathedral) in German.

(According to VNA/Vietnam+)

https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ban-be-thuy-si-an-tuong-voi-su-phat-trien-cua-viet-nam-post1039244.vnp

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/ban-be-thuy-si-an-tuong-voi-su-phat-trien-cua-viet-nam-213625.html