The stone stele commemorating the 100th anniversary of Nguyen Tat Thanh's arrival in the UK (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in the UK, through the event, local people had the opportunity to learn about the country, history, culture and people of Vietnam through a series of photos of tangible and intangible cultural heritages of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO, while enjoying the traditional dishes of Vietnam.

Speaking at the event, Mayor of New Haven town Lesley Boniface expressed her pride in the historical connection between President Ho Chi Minh and Newhaven, where Nguyen Tat Thanh visited during his time working on the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry route after World War I.

Ms. Boniface emphasized that President Ho Chi Minh's patriotism, courage and wisdom helped him find a way to liberate the nation and gain independence for the country.

She believes that this historical connection is a solid foundation for the development of relations between Newhaven and Vietnam. On this occasion, Ms. Boniface also expressed her thanks to Vietnam for providing face masks for Newhaven people when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in the UK last year.

For his part, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long thanked the Newhaven government for supporting and coordinating with the Embassy in organizing this meaningful event in September when the Vietnamese people celebrate the National Day and commemorate President Ho Chi Minh.

The Ambassador affirmed that the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership is developing at its best thanks to the constant efforts of the two sides over the past 50 years, including the significant contribution of the government and people of Newhaven.

Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long reviewed the time President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in London from 1913 to 1917 and the time he worked on the Dieppie-Newhaven ferry, laying the foundation for the friendship between Vietnam and Newhaven in particular, as well as Vietnam-UK relations in general.

He emphasized that in the 30-year journey to find a way to save the country, although his time in the UK was not long, it was here that President Ho Chi Minh first read the works of two philosophers Karl Marx and Friendrich Engels, which helped him shape his political thought and find a way to liberate the nation and liberate the country.

On this occasion, the Ambassador also expressed his deep gratitude to the authorities and people of Newhaven for preserving the images and monuments imprinted with President Ho Chi Minh's mark, especially the cooperation with the embassy to place a stone stele commemorating the 100th anniversary of Nguyen Tat Thanh's arrival in the UK in the most solemn position right at the mouth of the Ouse River flowing into the English Channel, on the occasion of the two countries' 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1973-2013).

The Ambassador believes that the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Newhaven, and the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership will continue to grow and deepen, especially as the two countries are moving towards the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations in 2023 with many meaningful and practical activities./.

BTA