Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang lays a wreath in commemoration of President Ho Chi Minh.

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the afternoon of April 14, within the framework of his official friendship visit to Cuba, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and his delegation laid wreaths at the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh in Havana, Cuba, a symbol of the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang lays a wreath in commemoration before the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

The monument consists of two parts: the upper part is a bronze bust of President Ho Chi Minh, and the lower part is the body of the statue, carved from a single block of white marble, without any decorative patterns, depicting the life and simple, humble, and noble virtues of Uncle Ho.

In February 2003, construction began on the monument and its surrounding grounds, designed and supervised by architect Joel Diaz, Vice President of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association.

On May 19, 2003, on the occasion of the 113th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth, Comrade Esteban Lazzo, President of the National Assembly and President of the Council of State of Cuba (at that time a member of the Politburo and Vice President of the Council of State), together with the Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba, Pham Tien Tu, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the monument.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang greets residents of Havana who visit the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

President Ho Chi Minh is a quintessential hero who changed the lives of humanity. Therefore, the Moncada heroine Melba Hernandez, the founder of the first Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam, suggested that we conduct more in-depth research on President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese history so that the monument would be more distinctly Vietnamese," architect Joel Diaz shared with the Deputy Prime Minister when introducing the construction process of the monument.

The statue of President Ho Chi Minh was designed to clearly reflect President Ho Chi Minh's simple and frugal character, as well as Vietnam's extraordinary efforts in the struggle for independence and national reunification.

The Deputy Prime Minister thanked architect Joel Diaz for dedicating all his efforts to the Ho Chi Minh Monument project. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

After the monument was inaugurated, a Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association was established to take care of, maintain, and protect the monument to President Ho Chi Minh.

On major Vietnamese holidays or when high-ranking delegations, leaders of ministries, departments, and organizations from Vietnam visit Cuba, the Cuban side and the Embassy often organize a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh.

Speaking at the Ho Chi Minh Monument, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to Cuba and architect Joel Diaz for their special affection for Vietnam and the beloved President Ho Chi Minh; for building and preserving the Ho Chi Minh Monument.

All the good things about President Ho Chi Minh and the great achievements of the Vietnamese people's resistance wars are reflected in this work, while also demonstrating the special friendship between the Vietnamese and Cuban people, the Deputy Prime Minister stated.

The Deputy Prime Minister wished Comrade Joel Diaz, who has devoted all his efforts to the Ho Chi Minh Monument project, continued good health and the ability to continue spreading stories about President Ho Chi Minh and the special friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba.

Hai Minh - Government Portal

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