My decision to choose Vietnam and come here to study in 1980 was not a coincidence. It was the continuation of a journey that began in my childhood, when I was just 12 years old and living in a small, remote town in Palestine, a place with many patriots and revolutionary activists, located near a city steeped in the traditional values of Palestinian society.
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General Vo Nguyen Giap and Ambassador Saadi Salama at Noi Bai International Airport, June 1989 (the Ambassador was then the Deputy Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Vietnam). (Archival photo) |
In those years, print newspapers were the only gateway to the world for me. I was fascinated by reading them and followed every development happening outside my small village. Vietnam frequently appeared on the front pages of newspapers, especially in the period leading up to the Paris Peace Conference. To gain an advantage at the negotiating table, the warring parties escalated military conflict to its peak. Images of the war in Vietnam at that time filled the pages of newspapers.
As a Palestinian boy, I naturally felt I stood with those fighting to defend their land, their people, their freedom, and their territorial integrity. From then on, I began searching for books and documents about Vietnam in my uncle's small library. And it was there that I came across the name of a man who would later leave a profound mark on my soul: General Vo Nguyen Giap, the military genius who orchestrated the historic Dien Bien Phu victory and became a symbol of the national liberation movement worldwide .
General Vo Nguyen Giap was not only an outstanding military strategist but also a remarkable phenomenon of the 20th century. From a history teacher, he became a legendary general without attending any formal military school. He was a strategist who contributed to the defeat of two major powers, French colonialism and American imperialism, proving that the will of a nation can overcome superior military strength. He stood out for his strategic vision, unwavering resolve, courage, and ability to harmoniously combine military thinking with political ideals and the aspiration for national independence.
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| Representing the family of General Vo Nguyen Giap, Mr. Vo Hong Nam received the Grand Order of the State of Palestine, posthumously awarded to General Vo Nguyen Giap by Ambassador Saadi Salama, on behalf of the President of Palestine. Photo: Tuan Huy |
But what I admire most about the General, even more than his glorious achievements, is his character. He lived simply, humbly, always close to the people, and believed that the people were the ones who could achieve victory. Therefore, he is respected and loved by the Vietnamese people not only as a legendary general but also as a symbol of patriotism, self-sacrifice, and dedication to the Fatherland.
Years passed, and fate brought me to Vietnam. During my time as Deputy Head of the State of Palestine's diplomatic mission in Hanoi, from mid-1989 to mid-1992, the visits of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to Vietnam gave me the precious opportunity to meet and converse with General Vo Nguyen Giap.
I had imagined meeting a majestic general, surrounded by titles and medals. But before me was a completely different person: simple, calm, and humble. The General listened more than he spoke, always smiling with the sincerity of someone who had experienced all the glories and vicissitudes of history. He didn't need to mention his achievements, for his very presence was a part of history.
Since that meeting, my respect and admiration for the General have deepened. He became a part of my stories and memories, especially when I returned to Vietnam as the Ambassador of the State of Palestine in late 2009. In the General's life and career, I saw the model of a national liberation leader who always believed in the power of will, resilience, and the unity of the people.
When the General passed away, I was on leave with my children abroad. As soon as I received the sad news, I decided to return to Hanoi immediately to attend the state funeral and bid farewell to a man I always considered one of the world's greatest liberation leaders. There, I met the General's family and promised them that I would contribute to bringing the General's image and ideology to Arab readers by translating works written about him.
From that promise, I completed the translation of the book "Dien Bien Phu - 5 Unprecedented Miracles in the History of Warfare," one of the first works translated directly from Vietnamese into Arabic. It was my small effort to introduce to the Arab world a part of Vietnamese history and the values that the Vietnamese people have contributed to humanity.
As I prepare to conclude an important chapter in my life, after 42 years of service and dedication on the diplomatic front, having overcome many challenges and difficulties, especially in the early years of my career, I have the special honor of being entrusted by President Mahmoud Abbas with the responsibility of posthumously awarding the Grand Order of the Palestinian Authority, the highest honor of the Palestinian State, to General Vo Nguyen Giap.
For me, that moment was like the closing of a circle that began more than half a century ago, when a Palestinian boy was fascinated by reading newspapers and following the war in a distant country called Vietnam, and then ended that journey as the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Hanoi, carrying the affection and gratitude of the Palestinian people to the family of the person who inspired him since childhood.
In the image of General Vo Nguyen Giap, I realize that there are people who not only make history for their own nation but also leave a profound mark on the lives of others. General Vo Nguyen Giap was not only a general of victories but also a symbol of patriotism, humility, and unwavering faith in the strength of nations.
Therefore, I will forever hold General Vo Nguyen Giap and the fraternal Vietnamese people in the highest respect, admiration, and gratitude!
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/chinh-polit/cac-van-de/trong-bong-hinh-dai-tuong-1046534
