Vietnam’s top leader pays floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh in Havana

Party General Secretary and President To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation laid a wreath at the monument of President Ho Chi Minh in the park named after him in Havana, Cuba, on September 27.
Party General Secretary and President To Lam, head of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee’s Department of International Relations Emilio Lozada Garcia and delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)
Party General Secretary and President To Lam, head of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee’s Department of International Relations Emilio Lozada Garcia and delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

Joining the ceremony was Emilio Lozada Garcia, head of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee’s Department of International Relations.

The monument, situated on one of Havana's largest streets, stands on a 54 sq.m red marble base symbolising the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. At its centre lies a five-pointed star made of yellow flowers, representing the national flag of Vietnam. It serves as a tribute to President Ho Chi Minh's pivotal role in uniting revolutionary forces to achieve national liberation.

Architect Joel Diaz explained that the dense bamboo grove behind the monument was designed to evoke the landscapes of Vietnam. The tall, ancient trees in the background are arranged to recall the forests and mountains of the Viet Bac war zone and Dien Bien Phu, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and led the Vietnamese revolution.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse pay floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh (Photo: VNA)

Party General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse pay floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh (Photo: VNA)

Writing a note at the monument, Lam described it as a symbol of the traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and people of Vietnam and Cuba. This bond has been nurtured by revolutionary leaders José Martí, Ho Chi Minh, Fidel Castro, and generations of leaders from both nations over the past six decades.

Lam pledged that the Vietnamese and Cuban Parties, States and people will always stand united, support each other in elevating their bilateral relationship to a new phase, ensuring substantial and sustainable development for the cause of socialism building and for the benefit of the people of both nations.

VNA