“When the Vietnamese national anthem played, I was overwhelmed with emotion and moved to tears! It was the third time I had presented credentials, and I was proud to represent Vietnam and all Vietnamese women who contribute equally to our nation...”

This is an excerpt from a piece by Ho Dac Minh Nguyet, former Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine (2010-2013) and Slovakia (2013-2017), recalling the day she presented her credentials in Bratislava, Slovakia.

dai su.jpg
Honor guard of Slovakia at the credential ceremony of the Vietnamese Ambassador. Photo: NVCC

In September 2014, I began my term as Vietnam’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic - a modestly sized country (49,000 km²) with a population of just over 5 million. Slovakia became an independent state after separating from the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in January 1991.

As part of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia had helped train many Vietnamese students in industrial and economic-financial fields and welcomed many young Vietnamese for vocational training and work in automobile, textile, and leather factories.

After gaining independence, Slovakia inherited many international commitments from Czechoslovakia and pursued a foreign policy of deep integration into the EU and NATO. It joined the Schengen Agreement and adopted the euro as its currency.

On September 16, 2014, I landed in Bratislava with my family. We were welcomed by the Director of Protocol, embassy staff, and representatives from Vietnamese associations. My first impression of Slovakia was its peaceful beauty. The capital lies beside the dreamy blue Danube River, bordering Vienna (Austria) and Hungary - making it the only capital in the world that borders two other countries. Historically, Slovakia was under Austro-Hungarian rule, and twelve kings were crowned at the Bratislava Castle, perched atop Slavin Hill overlooking the Danube.

Exactly two months later, on November 16, 2014, I presented my credentials to President Andrej Kiska - the first he received since taking office.

Prior to the ceremony, the Director of Protocol visited the Embassy to provide a detailed rundown of the proceedings for myself and accompanying officials. The Presidential Palace, where the ceremony took place, sits at a five-way intersection named after the first Czechoslovak president.

dai su 2.jpg
Ambassador Ho Dac Minh Nguyet presenting credentials to Slovak President in November 2014. Photo: NVCC

The Vietnamese flag flew proudly, and the anthem stirred the soul

The square in front of the Presidential Palace is surrounded by intricately patterned iron fences rather than high walls, allowing the public to witness the ceremony. The honor guard inspection and flag-raising ceremony took place here, with both the Slovak and Vietnamese national anthems playing.

As Vietnam’s anthem played, I was moved to tears. It was my third time presenting credentials - after Ukraine in May 2010 and Moldova in June 2010. I was proud to represent my country and, equally, proud to represent Vietnamese women, who are empowered to serve their homeland in such honorable capacities thanks to the trust placed in us by the Party and the State.

dai su 3.jpg
Ambassador Ho Dac Minh Nguyet meets Slovakia's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Photo: NVCC

The honor guard uniforms were beautifully styled, with influences from the Moravian period - complete with tall hats, shoulder tassels, rifles, and swords. Outside the fence, many locals gathered to watch. The Vietnamese flag waved proudly as “Tien Quan Ca” played magnificently. My ao dai flowed softly in the breeze...

After the flag-raising, I officially presented my credentials to the President in the castle, followed by a private, solemn, and warm meeting.

That auspicious beginning remains one of the most unforgettable moments in my diplomatic career.

During my three-year tenure in Slovakia, I visited many regions from the east to the west of this beautiful country. The Slovak people are kind-hearted, and Catholicism is the dominant religion.

During World War II, Slovakia had a strong resistance movement. Even today, the Slovak government and people deeply appreciate the Red Army's role in liberating their country from fascism. The war memorial on Slavin Hill is the resting place of hundreds of fallen Soviet soldiers. Slovakia was also a sanctuary for many persecuted Jewish people during the war.

Since 1991, Slovakia’s reform efforts have progressed smoothly. The country has attracted significant EU investment and is often dubbed the "workshop of the EU," with major automobile manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Land Rover operating there. Samsung has also built a large electronics assembly plant on the outskirts of Bratislava, employing about 200 Vietnamese workers.

Slovakia also relies heavily on nuclear energy. I once accompanied a Deputy Prime Minister to visit the nuclear research and design institute in Trnava, located around 200 km from the capital. FPT, a major Vietnamese tech firm, acquired a software plant in Kosice - its largest overseas investment to date.

During my tenure, there was active bilateral exchange and cultural diplomacy. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico visited Vietnam. The Vietnamese community in Slovakia is sizeable and industrious. After my term ended, the Vietnamese were officially recognized as Slovakia's 14th ethnic minority group.

Now, as Vietnam’s diplomatic service marks its 80th anniversary (August 28, 1946 - August 28, 2025), I look back fondly on the unforgettable moments of my career - especially my time in Slovakia. In everyday words, it was truly a “golden era.”

Ho Dac Minh Nguyet