Newhaven, a town in the county of East Sussex, South East England, has recently decided to honour President Ho Chi Minh through a plan to promote its link with the Vietnamese leader.

On banners around the town, Newhaven council highlights 10 little-known facts about the Sussex coastal town, including Ho Chi Minh’s presence in the town in the early 20 th century.

President Ho Chi Minh, then a young man known as Nguyen Tat Thanh, used to work as a pastry chef on the Dieppe to Newhaven ferry following World War I.

In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency reporter, Mayor of Newhaven Graham Amy said the presence of President Ho Chi Minh in his town was an honour for the people of Newhaven.

All towns have got their hidden histories, so for generations to come they'll know the story of Ho Chi Minh, the mayor said, explaining the town’s plan to honour Ho Chi Minh and other famous visitors to the town.

In a meeting with Newhaven authorities on April 25, Minister Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK Le Thi Thu Hang stressed that the decision to hounor President Ho Chi Minh reflects the friendship between the UK and Vietnam .

The event is very meaningful, particularly as the two countries celebrate their 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, Hang added.-VNA