Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang offers flowers in memory of President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: VGP)

This is the first activity of Deputy Prime Minister Quang during his official friendly visit to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from April 17-19.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Quang emphasized that President Ho Chi Minh is the national liberation hero of Vietnam in the 20th century, the founder of the Communist Party of Vietnam, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the first Foreign Minister of Vietnam. He was honored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a distinguished cultural celebrity.

The presence of the Monument of President Ho Chi Minh in the capital Caracas demonstrates the prestige, stature as well as the respect and love of the Venezuelan people for him, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Quang, the Vietnamese delegation's visit to Venezuela aimed to further deepen the friendship and cooperation with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, contributing to peace, cooperation, development and progress of the two peoples and the world. This is also President Ho Chi Minh’s thought in his Declaration of Independence in 1945.

Deputy Prime Minister Quang respectfully thanked the government of Venezuela and the capital Caracas, PSUV Party, socio-political forces and local people for supporting the construction and preservation of President Ho Chi Minh Monument here.

For her part, Deputy Foreign Minister of Venezuela Tatiana Pugh Moreno affirmed that Venezuela greatly appreciates the image, career and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh. The image of Uncle Ho is a great symbol, which is reminiscent of the heroic and brave Vietnamese people.

Ms. Tatiana Pugh Moreno, former Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam, expressed her admiration for Vietnam's development, steadily moving forward and always being steadfast with the principles left by President Ho Chi Minh.

She reaffirmed the feelings, solidarity and understanding of the Venezuelan people towards Vietnam; and expressed her wish that the relationship between the two countries continue to develop sustainably in the future.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang visited and had a working session with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela./.

BTA