The programme, held from June 24–26, was jointly organised by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Greece and the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dimitris Koutsoumpas, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece; representatives of the Greek Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries, agencies and organisations; ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions; as well as a large number of Greek friends and members of the Vietnamese community in Greece.
In her opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong emphasised that the theme of Viet Nam Day in Greece 2026 was chosen to introduce Greek and international audiences to the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, whom UNESCO honoured as a Hero of National Liberation and an Outstanding Man of Culture of Viet Nam. He also stands as a symbol of the aspiration for national liberation, inspiring movements around the world striving for independence, justice and peace.
Addressing the ceremony, Dimitris Koutsoumpas, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece, praised the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, stressing that he was a symbol of the global revolutionary movement and a world cultural figure. He left an indelible mark on the Vietnamese people's arduous struggle for national independence. He welcomed the organisation of Viet Nam Day in Greece 2026, noting that it offers the Greek public an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Viet Nam's history and culture, thereby strengthening the bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two peoples.
The highlight of Viet Nam Day in Greece 2026 is the special exhibition “From the Patriotic Young Man Nguyen Tat Thanh to Ho Chi Minh, the Symbol of National Liberation”, featuring representative photographs and documents illustrating President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary life and career.
Speaking at the event, Le Thi Phuong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, expressed her hope that through the exhibitions and cultural exchange activities, Greek audiences would gain a more comprehensive understanding of President Ho Chi Minh's life, revolutionary career and the Vietnamese people's struggle for national independence.
The event also features photographs and archival materials highlighting the friendship and cooperative relations between Viet Nam and Greece throughout different periods, together with a selection of Viet Nam War-era propaganda posters from a collection reproduced in large format from the original works by the first Greek Ambassador to Viet Nam, Platon Alexis Hadjimichalis.
Another significant highlight of the programme was the launch of a Greek-language translated volume of selected works by President Ho Chi Minh covering the period 1920–1969. The publication is a collaborative project between New Star Cinema and The Gioi Publishing House, with the support of the Embassy of Viet Nam in Greece.
In addition to the exhibitions, visitors had the opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture through musical performances featuring traditional Vietnamese instruments, arranged and performed by Vietnamese artists from the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in France, as well as a selection of signature Vietnamese dishes prepared by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Greece and Vietnamese restaurants in Athens.
The melodies of “Ho Chi Minh Song” and “As If Uncle Ho Were With Us on the Great Day of Victory” echoed throughout the exhibition venue as Vietnamese participants and their Greek friends sang together, creating an atmosphere filled with Vietnamese pride and warmth in the presence of international friends.
Viet Nam Day in Greece 2026 is a meaningful initiative that helps strengthen people-to-people exchanges, promote the image of Viet Nam, its culture and people, and further reinforce the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Greece.
