In his journey to seek ways for national salvation, late President Ho Chi Minh travelled to various countries across the world. Everywhere he went to or even was yet to set foot, people developed strong sentiments and respect for him.
The leader has become a special symbol in the hearts and minds of Vietnamese people and international friends.
He was an inspiration for poet To Huu to write that “Ho Chi Minh, you are everywhere…/ The great soul, just like the ocean, receives all-loving messages”.
In June 1999, the International Who’s Who, a series of reference books of notable people worldwide, made a list of the 100 most influential figures of the 20th century, dubbed ‘The Millennium list’.
President Ho Chi Minh was among the only three Asian people who made it into the list.
The beloved leader of Vietnamese workers and people, and a communist, received praise internationally.
On the occasion of his 130th birth anniversary, VietnamPlus newspaper quoted a number of international friends’ praises for President Ho Chi Minh.
Heydar Aliyev, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, wrote in the memorial book at the President Ho Chi Minh relic site at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on October 29, 1983, that his name and career will be immortal, proven by victories of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vietnamese people in the construction of communism and protection of revolutionary success.
The State Council of China, on September 5, 1969, affirmed that President Ho Chi Minh is a brilliant communist and the most admired leader of the Vietnamese people, as well as a close friend of the Chinese people, reported the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) one week later. He devoted his whole life to the national liberalisation of Vietnam and the cause of communism, the Chinese body noted.
Meanwhile, Prince Souphanouvong of Laos on September 5, 1969 noted that President Ho Chi Minh was an unyielding and prominent soldier of the world revolutionary movement and national liberalisation campaigns in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Khamsuk Kaeola, on behalf of the Alliance Committee of the Lao Patriotic Neutralist Forces, wrote on September 6, 1969 that President Ho Chi Minh is a brilliant example for nations struggling for independence and freedom in Asia, reported the VNA on September 12, 1969.
King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia on September 4, 1969 wrote that President Ho Chi Minh entered the history of countries in Indochina and all nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America as a symbol of the patriotic struggle for national independence, reported the VNA two days later.
Major Fidel Castro, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and Prime Minister of Cuba, stated on September 4, 1969 that the life of President Ho Chi Minh is a prominent example for revolutionary virtues and humanitarianism, reported the VNA two days later.
There is hardly a leader in the world who demonstrates his clear-sightedness, calmness, bravery, selflessness, determination and courage in challenging times and in such an extraordinary manner, he added.
A special edition of Cuba’s Granma newspaper dated September 14, 1969 noted that President Ho is an unrivalled and unsurpassable figure, yet with all his virtues, he has become an example that many people could follow.
Le Figaro newspaper of France in January 1970 wrote that President Ho Chi Minh caused France to give up its most important colony of Indochina. He also showed the powerful United States that humans can win against weapons./.
