Spreading Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space from Vietnamese Representative Agencies Abroad

On June 9, 2025 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized an international workshop with the theme "Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space at Vietnamese Representative Agencies Abroad". The event contributed to clarifying the role, standardizing the content and implementation methods of the Ho Chi Minh Space model in the new period, aiming to spread his ideology, morality and cultural heritage to international friends in a creative, effective and appropriate way for each host country.

The event is part of a series of activities to celebrate the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (1890-2025) and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam's Diplomacy (1945-2025), while contributing to implementing the Secretariat's Directive on introducing and spreading the ideology and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh to international friends and the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, said that over the past time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has closely coordinated with ministries, sectors, localities, organizations, individuals in the country and a network of more than 90 Vietnamese representative agencies abroad to carry out many activities honoring President Ho Chi Minh across all continents.

Activities were carried out in various forms such as erecting statues, naming streets, organizing exhibitions, screening documentaries, building souvenir rooms and cultural exchanges, attracting attention and positive response from local authorities and people.

According to Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, standardizing the content and methods of implementing Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space abroad is an urgent requirement, aiming to improve efficiency, interactivity and ensure suitability with the conditions and cultural and social characteristics of each host country.

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

At the workshop, many enthusiastic opinions from scholars, cultural researchers, artists and international representatives contributed to highlighting the role of Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space as a vibrant cultural institution, rich in humanistic values ​​and influence.

From an international perspective, Mr. Jonathan Baker, Head of UNESCO Office in Hanoi, highly appreciated the global ideological stature of President Ho Chi Minh, especially in the fields of education, peace and sustainable development - the core values ​​that UNESCO always pursues. He emphasized that UNESCO's honoring of President Ho Chi Minh in 1987 was not only a historical recognition, but also a sustainable source of inspiration for cultural initiatives in the 21st century.

Mr. Jonathan Baker, Head of UNESCO Office in Hanoi, spoke at the workshop. (Photo: Minh Thu)

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Nguyen Van Thao emphasized the need to standardize the content and meaning of "Ho Chi Minh Space", not only as a memorial space, but also as a space to spread Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style.

According to the Ambassador, the implementation needs to be carried out flexibly, in accordance with the practical conditions of each representative agency abroad. To ensure consistency and effectiveness, he proposed close coordination and unified direction from relevant ministries, departments and branches in determining the content, meaning and program of activities for Ho Chi Minh Space.

Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao also said that within the framework of Ho Chi Minh Space, it is necessary to organize a variety of activities such as seminars, talks, and competitions to learn about Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and style, with the participation of officials and employees of representative agencies, the overseas Vietnamese community, and international friends.

“We have about 6 million overseas Vietnamese and more than 132,000 Vietnamese students studying abroad. This is the force that can coordinate to organize these meaningful activities, especially during the country's major holidays,” the Ambassador emphasized.

At the workshop, representatives of foreign representative agencies in Vietnam shared rich experiences in preserving and spreading the leader's legacy, while expressing deep affection for President Ho Chi Minh.

At the workshop, representatives of the Thai Embassy shared experiences in promoting the image of the Kings, affirming the national cultural identity, in which the overseas Vietnamese community plays a key role, as a bridge to spread and connect Thai culture with international friends.

The representative of the Chinese Embassy expressed the special affection of the Chinese people for President Ho Chi Minh - the founder of the Vietnam - China friendship. The works and relics related to Uncle Ho in China are still preserved and respected as part of the common heritage between the two countries.

Representatives of the Angolan Embassy shared their experiences in preserving and promoting the legacy of the first President, national hero António Agostinho Neto, through memorial spaces and international exchange activities, contributing to enhancing understanding and connection between Angola and the international community.

The representative of the Cuban Embassy emphasized that the image of Uncle Ho always lives forever in the hearts of the Cuban people, alongside leaders José Martí and Fidel Castro. This is vividly demonstrated through memorial works, cultural publications and cultural exchange and cooperation activities between the two countries over the years.

In his closing speech at the workshop, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu proposed five major orientations to develop Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space effectively, creatively and sustainably in the new period. Accordingly, it is necessary to standardize content, innovate forms, and apply digital technology to increase interactivity for Ho Chi Minh Cultural Spaces, especially for the young generation; Promote the role of art - such as literature, music, cinema - in inspiring and connecting the community; Promote the collection of documents, connect witnesses and interdisciplinary research to enrich the depth of humanity; Enhance the proactive role of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad in preserving and promoting the image of Uncle Ho; Strengthen socialization, mobilize the participation of localities, businesses and overseas Vietnamese to build a rich, widespread and sustainable cultural space.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also coordinated to organize a special photo exhibition, introducing many rare documents and images about President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary, diplomatic and ideological journey. Along with that was a book space with typical publications about him published in many languages, attracting the attention of many delegates at home and abroad.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/lan-toa-khong-gian-van-hoa-ho-chi-minh-tu-cac-co-quan-dai-dien-viet-nam-o-nuoc-ngoai-214111.html