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./.

See more

Singapore's ruling People's Action Party wins general election
The PAP won 87 out of the 97 elected seats in Parliament, while the opposition Workers’ Party (WP) retained its 10 seats.

Top Thai retailers step up hiring of elderly workers
As Thailand transitions into an ageing society, leading retailers are stepping up to support older citizens by adapting their employment policies to include workers over the age of 60.

Singaporean voters enthusiastic on election day
Voting took place at 1,240 polling stations nationwide, operating from 8 am to 8 pm. local time. Special provisions were made for elderly, disabled, and pregnant voters.

ASEAN to look into nuclear energy potential as clean, stable energy source
ASEAN countries are examining the prospects of nuclear energy as a clean and stable source of electricity, with the potential to replace fossil fuel – based generation sources and support the regional energy transition agenda.

Latin American communist parties call Vietnam’s April 30 victory a beacon of global liberation
Communist parties across Latin America have affirmed the global significance of Vietnam’s April 30, 1975 victory that led to the liberation of the South and national reunification.

Malaysia plans security training, simulation for 46th ASEAN Summit
The 46th ASEAN Summit is expected to bring together leaders from all 10 ASEAN member states to discuss regional issues, foster economic cooperation and champion the principles of inclusiveness and sustainability.

Vietnam’s 50-year reunification celebration garners Argentine press’s attention
The April 30, 1975 triumph stands as one of the most remarkable milestones in the Vietnamese people’s history of national building and defence.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Bank of Thailand cuts interest rate to two-year low
The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-2 to reduce the one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 1.75%, the lowest level in two years.

Chinese state media spotlights Vietnam’s grand celebration of reunification anniversary
In its report, Xinhua quoted General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam as saying that under the Party's leadership, the Vietnamese people and armed forces have united to rebuild, reconstruct, and develop the country.

Nikkei Asia highlights Vietnamese people’s pride at reunification celebration
The article reported Lam’s calling on Vietnamese people to build upon the spirit of the great victory in the spring of 1975, and the values and triumphs over the past 40 years under 'Doi Moi' (renewal) to reap greater triumphs and forge new miracles in the new era.

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.”

Thailand highlights ‘Khao Mak’ as symbol of wellness and soft power
This is the first time Thailand has dedicated an initiative to elevate Khao Mak as a global symbol of wellness and cultural identity.

ASEAN officials discuss Community Vision 2045, Timor Leste membership, nuclear free zone
As a regional bloc that maintains collaboration on shared interests, all discussions at the ASEAN SOM meetings were centred on ensuring comprehensive and forward-looking approaches for a more prosperous, peaceful, and secure ASEAN region.

RoK firms pledge nearly 2 billion USD in new investments in Indonesia
The planned increase is equal to more than 10% of the 15.4 billion USD that Korean firms had already invested in Indonesia, said Airlangga.