The 125th birthday of late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19), the founder of contemporary Vietnam, was celebrated with separate events in European and Asian countries.

In France, the Vietnamese Embassy, representative agencies and expatriates offered incense at Ho Chi Minh’s altar at the embassy headquarters where the leader stayed from 1921 to 1923.

Officials of Montreuil city in the suburb of Paris joined them to lay a wreath at his statue at the Montreau Park.

Montreuil Mayor Patrice Bessac said President Ho not only founded modern Vietnam but also helped shape the world, adding that he and other officials, including the late General Vo Nguyen Giap, led Vietnam to decisive victories in the struggle for national independence and freedom welcomed by all nations fighting colonial oppression in the world.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia and expatriates also laid a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh monument at a square named after him in Moscow.

On this occasion, the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association announced four Russian winners of a knowledge competition on the late leader.

Meanwhile, a ceremony marking President Ho’s birthday was held at the Saint Petersburg State University in Saint Petersburg.

A leader of the university said the celebration is an annual activity to honour an excellent man and acknowledge his great efforts in building and nurturing the friendship between Vietnam and Russia, formerly known as the Soviet Union.

Also on May 19, a similar activity took place at the commemorative site of Ho Chi Minh in Xiengvang village of the Lao province of Khammouane, attended by representatives from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

The President conducted revolutionary activities in Laos’s Savannakhet Township and Xiengvang village between 1928 and 1929. Due to his contributions to the local revolutionary movement, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party built a commemorative site in the village featuring photos and documents on his stay there and Laos’s fight for national liberation.

A commemorative function for the late President was also held in Egypt the same day.-VNA