“Ho Chi Minh’s heritage on peace, friendship and cooperation amongst nations” was discussed on the second day of an international seminar on President Ho Chi Minh’s legacy in Hanoi on May 13.

This gave academics and researchers an opportunity to present new evidence of President Ho Chi Minh’s contributions to the cause of ensuring peace, friendship and cooperation amongst nations.

Vietnam’s current foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation for mutual development, openness, multilateralisation and diversification follows his vision of foreign relations, first initiated in 1947, that has resulted in Vietnam respecting and becoming friends with all democratic countries.

His saying “Nothing is more valuable than independence and freedom” may be considered a pertinent message for every country, especially underdeveloped and multi-ethnic nations, in the age of development.

In the context of current globalisation and international integration, Uncle Ho’s lessons on rule-based concession approaches in the struggle for peace and in establishing international relations are a really valuable heritage and help to ensure peace in the twenty-first century.

President Ho Chi Minh always desired peace – a true peace, coupled with national independence and reunification. He was consistent in his strategies but extremely flexible with his tactics, in order to maintain peace and always pursued negotiations and dialogue to address the Vietnam-France conflict in a peaceful manner.

President Ho Chi Minh built bridges of friendship and increased exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding between nations – an essential foundation for maintaining and consolidating peace.

He also laid the corner stone for Vietnam ’s policy of openness and comprehensive cooperation with the rest of the world in every aspect.

During his entire life, Uncle Ho pursued the goal of fraternity, solidarity and goodwill amongst nations regardless of race and creed or colour.

During the seminar, Xaman Vinhaket, a Politburo member from the Laotian People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and Head of the Steering Board of the Theoretical, Ideological and Cultural Work of the LPRP Central Committee, delivered a speech. He underlined that the special friendship and solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have developed strongly and continuously since Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh thoughts, especially after he established the Indochinese Communist Party.

“President Ho Chi Minh always attached a great importance to solidarity and mutual assistance during both Vietnam and Laos ’ struggles for national liberation, considering it not only an international task but one that would benefit every nation,” he stated.

Xaman Vinhaket said that during this historical journey, the Laotian Party, Government and people always bear in mind the contributions made by President Ho Chi Minh as well as the Party, Government and people of Vietnam.

“We promise, together with the Vietnamese people, to continue strengthening and consolidating the friendship between both countries and educate the younger generations in Laos and Vietnam on the two nations’ traditions to raise their awareness of the importance of preserving and developing our special bilateral ties,” he added.

With his report entitled “Ho Chi Minh”, Raymon Aubrac, an Honorary High Commissioner for France , expressed his deep affection for President Ho Chi Minh. “Modest and simple, Uncle Ho was the kind of great politician that many people wanted to become,” he said.

Delegates at the seminar agreed that President Ho Chi Minh is a preeminent symbol of a nation’s determination, who devoted all of his life to the Vietnamese people’s national liberation while contributing to the other nations’ common struggle for peace, national independence, democracy and social advancement.

Ho Chi Minh’s heritage has not only resulted in peace, friendship and progress in Vietnam but has also had a great influence on the whole of mankind’s efforts to ensure peace, friendship and cooperation for the world’s development in the current age./.