Ambassador Tran Thi Thu Thin: Spreading Vietnam's invaluable soft power in Mozambique

General Secretary To Lam received Secretary General of the FRELIMO Party Chakil Aboobabcar, who is on a working visit to Vietnam and attending the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification from April 26 to May 1. (Source: VNA)

Looking back at the country in the heroic atmosphere of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, could the Ambassador share his feelings when looking back at the country's development since the historic moment of April 30, 1975?

For every Vietnamese person, April 30th is a particularly sacred day, marking a brilliant milestone in the heroic history of our nation, the day the war ended, the country was reunited, the North and the South reunited, opening a new era of independence, freedom, unity and development in peace .

In the emotional moment of looking back on the journey of half a century, together with the whole country towards the Great Ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), as a son of Vietnam, and more than that, as a person representing the country abroad, I am filled with deep emotion and pride: Moved by the great sacrifices of generations of fathers and brothers who fought for national independence and territorial integrity and proud to look back on the development journey full of bravery, intelligence and strong will of the whole nation.

Our Vietnam in 2025 is very different from Vietnam in 1975. From a poor, backward country, heavily devastated by war, today's Vietnam has made a strong transformation, achieving great achievements. We have healed the wounds of war, maintained political stability, left our mark with impressive economic development, and improved people's lives. In terms of foreign affairs, we have established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, deeply integrated into the international community, and played a proactive and active role in multilateral and regional mechanisms. Today's Vietnam is not only a friend and a reliable partner, but also an active and responsible member of the international community.

During his lifetime, our beloved Uncle Ho, when discussing the close correlation between the country's position and power and the effectiveness of diplomatic work, emphasized that "Real strength is the gong and diplomacy is the sound. The louder the gong, the louder the sound." The increasingly enhanced foundation, potential, position and international prestige of our country have created great advantages for us, diplomatic officers, in the process of carrying out our assigned tasks.

These achievements were achieved thanks to the inheritance and promotion of the spirit of the April 30 Victory, the spirit of solidarity, independence and self-reliance, the aspiration for peace and development, contributing to strengthening the belief of all our people in the correct leadership of the Party, promoting the strength of national solidarity, the will of self-reliance and the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country.

This is the moment for each of us Vietnamese to be more aware of our sense of responsibility and determination to promote the glorious traditions of the nation, to bring the country to even greater achievements, to realize the aspiration to build a strong country, for the happiness of the people in the era of wealth, civilization, prosperity, to make the country rise up, take off, "stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents" as President Ho Chi Minh wished and the aspiration of the entire nation.

The 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Mozambique diplomatic relations (June 25, 1975 - June 25, 2025) in the capital Maputo (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique)

As Ambassador, how do you feel about the interest of international friends, especially Mozambique, in Vietnam's important historical milestones such as the Dien Bien Phu Victory and the Great Spring Victory in 1975?

It can be said that the Dien Bien Phu Victory in 1954 and the Great Spring Victory in 1975 are two brilliant milestones in the history of the struggle for independence, freedom and national unification of the Vietnamese people. These victories not only have great significance for the Vietnamese people but are also great historical events of world significance.

International friends, especially countries that have experienced wars for independence or are striving to develop after the colonial period from Asia, Africa to Latin America, always have deep respect and admiration for the indomitable spirit and resilient will of the Vietnamese people as well as the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Vietnam has set a shining example and strongly inspired people of all countries in the movement to fight for national liberation, independence and freedom, and is a symbol of the victory of justice over oppression and invasion.

The Dien Bien Phu victory “resounding throughout the five continents, shaking the world” and the Great Spring Victory of 1975 were not only victories of a small nation against colonial and imperialist powers, but also victories of truth, of the aspiration for independence, freedom, peace, and development, opening a new era for the national liberation movement all over the world. The presence of many international friends at the Commemoration Ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30 was a clear demonstration of this.

Over the years, generations of leaders and people of Mozambique have always expressed their admiration and respect for the indomitable spirit and will to overcome difficulties to win of the Vietnamese people. In 1977, right after gaining independence, the first President of Mozambique, Samora Moisés Machel, decided to name the main avenue in the capital Maputo, more than 1 km long, running through the City Hall and right next to Independence Square, after Ho Chi Minh.

It can be said that the just struggle and the historic victories of the Vietnamese people left valuable lessons in both theory and practice for the revolutionary cause, and were a great source of encouragement for the Mozambican people in their struggle for national independence. This special sentiment is a valuable foundation to help strengthen the solidarity, friendship, tradition and cooperation between the two countries over the past time.

Although I have only been assigned to Mozambique for more than 2 months, through contacts, meetings and exchanges, I deeply feel the admiration of the leaders, politicians and people of Mozambique for the great historical victories of Vietnam, the special respect and love for President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, the appreciation for Vietnam's wholehearted support in the past struggle for independence and the cause of building and developing the country today as well as admiration for Vietnam's achievements in building and developing the country after the war.

During the 50th anniversary celebration of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification organized by the Embassy on April 24, many Mozambican and international friends attended, watched attentively and expressed their admiration and respect for Vietnam when watching a documentary film about the Great Victory of Spring 1975 and the historical achievements Vietnam has achieved after 50 years of national reunification.

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Mozambican Community Abroad Maria de Fatima Simao Manso led a delegation from the Mozambican Government to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique)

During the recent Great Festival, Mozambique also sent two delegations to Ho Chi Minh City to share joy with Vietnam: the Mozambique Government delegation led by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Mozambican community abroad Maria de Fatima Simao Manso and the high-ranking delegation of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) led by Secretary General Chakil Aboobacar.

Secretary of State Maria De Fatima Simao Manso said that she personally “has long had special affection for the country and people of Vietnam; that affection was nurtured from understanding Vietnam's history of struggle and has grown even stronger thanks to the work that she has done, is doing, and will continue to do in promoting bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Mozambique.”

FRELIMO Secretary General Chakil Aboobacar, in all meetings and working sessions with key leaders of Vietnam, always expressed his admiration for the national pride and strong patriotism of the Vietnamese people, especially the young generation; he wished to learn from Vietnam's experience in arousing, maintaining and promoting national pride and patriotism among the people, especially the young generation.

In a congratulatory letter sent to General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day, Mozambique President and FRELIMO Chairman Daniel Chapo expressed his admiration for the journey of the Vietnamese people starting from the August Revolution in 1945 to the Victory in 1975 that reunified the country, emphasizing the cooperative relationship between the two Parties and two countries that was formed during the struggle for independence and freedom.

The President of Mozambique affirmed that the Victory of April 30, 1975 was “a milestone of great significance for all peoples struggling for self-determination, sovereignty and social justice, inspiring progressive movements around the world” and that Vietnam’s achievements today are “an admirable example of resilience and transformation, while upholding the socialist path, and positioning Vietnam as a modern, dynamic, regionally and internationally integrated country”.

Friendship football tournament to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, National Reunification and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Mozambique. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique)

According to the Ambassador, what can Vietnam do to promote cultural and historical values ​​closer to the people of Mozambique in particular and Africa in general?

Our Vietnam has a unique culture, rich in identity and historical traditions. However, in recent times, the promotion of cultural and historical values ​​to the people of Mozambique in particular and Africa in general has been quite modest due to many factors. To bring the image of the country closer to the people of this region, we need to be more proactive and creative in cultural diplomacy, foreign information and promoting people-to-people exchanges.

Accordingly, it is necessary to regularly carry out practical activities such as introducing cuisine, performing traditional arts, screening Vietnamese films, exhibiting paintings, books, newspapers, etc. about Vietnam, and actively participating in cultural festivals and cultural and historical exchange events organized by the locality to contribute to spreading national cultural values, enhancing sympathy and deeper understanding of local friends about Vietnam.

In addition, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation with local television channels and newspapers to provide information, images, and videos about the culture, history, country, and people of Vietnam. Another effective and sustainable channel to convey cultural and historical messages that we need to pay attention to promoting is cooperation between mass organizations, friendship organizations, youth, students, art troupes, and localities of the two countries to enhance people-to-people exchanges and promote mutual understanding.

Finally, I believe that the lifestyle, behavior, positive and successful integration, and practical contributions to the host country of each overseas Vietnamese, the “cultural ambassadors”, whether they are diplomats, intellectuals, experts, businessmen, overseas Vietnamese, etc., will be an important bridge to help spread the image of a peaceful and hospitable Vietnam with a long history and a culture imbued with national identity. This is the invaluable soft power that helps connect people of other countries with Vietnam, thereby deepening friendship and promoting substantive and effective cooperation in all fields.

Thank you very much Ambassador!

Ambassador Tran Thi Thu Thin gives an interview to the Mozambican press. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-tran-thi-thu-thin-lan-toa-suc-manh-mem-vo-gia-cua-viet-nam-tai-mozambique-313724.html