Latin American media reports on Vietnamese veteran’s inspiring journey

76-year-old Vietnamese veteran Tran Van Thanh's journey is not just a personal story, but has also become a living symbol of the connection between the glorious past and the present, a testament to the deep patriotism and immortal spirit of the Vietnamese people. This story has deeply moved and inspired Latin American readers, evoking admiration and respect.

Prensa Latina article reports on Tran Van Thanh's journey. (Photo: VNA)
Prensa Latina article reports on Tran Van Thanh's journey. (Photo: VNA)

Havana (VNA) - Cuba’s Latin American News Agency Prensa Latina has expressed deep respect while reporting the inspiring journey of Tran Van Thanh, a 76-year-old Vietnamese veteran who is travelling more than 1,200 kilometers from Vinh city of Nghe An province to Ho Chi Minh City by motorbike to attend the grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025).

In its article published on April 24, Prensa Latina particularly highlighted the image of the elderly soldier in his worn military uniform, riding an old motorbike, with the national flag waving throughout his journey. Thanh's belongings are simple, just a suitcase of clothes and a box for cooking.

According to the news agency, the trip of the Vietnamese veteran at his advanced age has become an inspiring phenomenon. Online communities have widely shared emotional moments from his journey, continuously updating information, expressing their willingness to support him, and sending wishes for his safe journey across the long distance.

It reported that Thanh was a former soldier of Battalion K3 - Tam Dao in Quang Tri province. From 1968 to 1974, he and his comrades fought to protect the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, one of the fiercest battlefields at that time.

This Vietnamese veteran began his journey on April 17, travelling 150-200 kilometers each day.

On his way southward, the former soldier stopped at the Vinh Linh Martyrs' Cemetery and the old battlefield of the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel to offer incense in remembrance of his comrades who sacrificed their lives along the northern bank of the Ben Hai River, which was once the border between North and South Vietnam.

The article quoted Thanh as saying that he wants to travel by motorbike not only to revisit the old battlefield, but also to witness the development and changes in the villages, provinces, and cities along the route after 50 years of national reunification.

Thanh's journey is not just a personal story, but has also become a living symbol of the connection between the glorious past and the present, a testament to the deep patriotism and immortal spirit of the Vietnamese people. This story has deeply moved and inspired Latin American readers, evoking admiration and respect./.

VNA

See more

A screenshot of the article.

Latin American media analyses Vietnam’s new era of national rise

The article, entitled "La era del ascenso del pueblo vietnamita" (The era of Vietnam’s rise), highlighted the transformative influence of the August Revolution in 1945, which ushered in a new chapter in Vietnamese history with the people taking charge of their destiny for the first time.

SMB II Airport in Palembang, Indonesia. (Photo: tempo.co)

Three more Indonesian airports meet international standards

Previously, in April 2024, Indonesia issued a decree to reduce the number of international airports from 34 to 17. This move aimed to optimise aviation operations, focus resources on airports with high international traffic and improve service quality.

A screenshot of an article by Infobae.

Argentinean media highlights Vietnam’s message of reconciliation, peace

The article cited Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s speech delivered at the event, as saying: “With the policy of closing the past, respecting differences, looking towards the future, our entire Party, people and army together strive to build a peaceful, unified, happy, prosperous and developed Vietnam.”

Vietnam after 50 years of reunification (Photo: VNA)

Indonesian paper spotlights Vietnam’s development journey

Dramatic changes have taken place in Vietnam since economic reforms were enacted in 1986. The country’s economic development through the ‘Doi Moi’ (Renewal) received praise from the world and showed that the country entered a period of integration, a turning point of growth after 1986.

Higher admission prices for foreigners at countless attractions across Thailand are a longtime complaint. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand pledges to address foreign tourists’ complaints

Sorawong said that every case involving foreign tourists will now be reported directly from the police to him. Tourists can submit requests for assistance via the Thailand Tourist Police application, and a tourist assistance centre has been established in every province to support visitors.

The article on Mundo Obrero (Photo: Screenshot)

Communist Party of Spain’s periodical highlights Vietnam’s historic milestones, achievements

The April 30, 1975 victory was noted as a defining moment that ended decades of struggle against foreign aggression and oppression. The reunification of Vietnam not only reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia but also inspired anti-colonial movements worldwide. However, the article acknowledged the immense cost of war: millions of lives lost, widespread destruction from chemical defoliants like Agent Orange, and an economy fractured by decades of conflict.

The article entitled “Vietnam es un ejemplo para los revolucionarios y para los pueblos del mundo" (Vietnam is an example for revolutionaries and peoples around the world), on Granma. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam in the hearts of Cuban friends

The daily Juventud Rebelde (Rebel Youth) - a newspaper of the Young Communist League - described Vietnam’s victory on April 30, 1975 as a “brilliant epic” and highlighted “President Ho Chi Minh affirmed that ‘Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one’ – and that day, that aspiration came true.”