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The visit marked the beginning of activities during the Vietnamese leader’s official trip to Thailand. Accompanied by a high-level Vietnamese delegation, To Lam and his spouse also toured the site where President Ho Chi Minh once lived and carried out revolutionary activities.
In a solemn and emotional atmosphere, To Lam, his spouse and members of the delegation observed a minute of silence in memory of President Ho Chi Minh - the brilliant leader and great teacher of the Vietnamese revolution, a national liberation hero and an eminent cultural figure.
After the incense offering ceremony, the delegation visited the traditional stilt-house area, which preserves memories of President Ho Chi Minh’s time in Thailand between 1928 and 1929. To Lam later signed the guestbook and presented books and documents related to Ho Chi Minh to the memorial site’s management board.
In his message, the Vietnamese leader expressed deep emotion during the visit and highly appreciated the dedication of the Vietnamese community in Thailand in preserving and maintaining the memorial site. He also praised the community for preserving the Vietnamese language and national cultural identity while helping strengthen friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Thailand.
According to To Lam, the memorial site is not only a sacred historical and cultural landmark for overseas Vietnamese in Thailand, but also a vivid symbol of the enduring bond between the two nations over many decades.
He expressed hope that the Vietnamese community in Thailand would continue promoting patriotism, contributing to the homeland and serving as an important bridge for bilateral friendship and cooperation.
To commemorate the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birth and spread the spirit of studying and following his teachings, To Lam and his spouse planted a commemorative tree at the memorial site.
The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site in Udon Thani preserves memories of the revolutionary activities President Ho Chi Minh carried out in Thailand from 1928 to 1929. During his stay, he lived closely with the local Vietnamese community, organized political activities and mobilized support for Vietnam’s independence movement.
He also participated in farming, trained compatriots and encouraged the Vietnamese community in Thailand to join anti-colonial movements, while actively engaging in local community activities.
Today, the memorial site has been developed into a historical learning center and museum through the efforts of the local Vietnamese community. The complex recreates President Ho Chi Minh’s simple lifestyle with a traditional wooden house and modest personal belongings.
The site has become a popular destination, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each year, including many delegations from Vietnam, and stands as a vivid symbol of the close friendship between Vietnam and Thailand.
Party Chief, President To Lam meets Vietnamese community in Thailand
Later on May 27 in Udon Thani, To Lam, his spouse and the high-level Vietnamese delegation met with staff from the Vietnamese Embassy and Consulate General, along with nearly 600 overseas Vietnamese living, studying and working in Thailand, as well as representatives from the Vietnamese community in Laos.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung said the community, inspired by patriotism and deep respect for Ho Chi Minh, had overcome many hardships with support from the Party and State and developed into a strong community of more than 100,000 people.
Most members of the community now enjoy stable lives, with many achieving success and gaining recognition in sectors such as education, healthcare and business, earning respect from Thai authorities and local residents.
The ambassador noted that the number of Vietnamese arriving in Thailand for business, study and work continues to grow, contributing to a more diverse and increasingly professional community of intellectuals, experts and entrepreneurs.
He added that overseas Vietnamese associations in Thailand operate in an organized and united manner, actively promoting cultural, social and charitable activities. Vietnamese language teaching and learning within the community has also expanded significantly.
Landmarks such as Vietnamese temples, President Ho Chi Minh memorial sites and “Vietnam Streets” in several localities stand as vivid proof of the community’s patriotism, pride in its roots and the strong friendship between Vietnam and Thailand.
Speaking on behalf of the overseas Vietnamese community, representatives expressed honor and emotion at welcoming To Lam, his spouse and the Vietnamese delegation. They affirmed that overseas Vietnamese in Thailand are proud of their Vietnamese heritage and remain committed to contributing to the country’s development and protection.
In his remarks, To Lam said every visit to Thailand brings deep emotion because it was here, under the alias Thau Chin, that President Ho Chi Minh spread patriotism, sowed the seeds of revolutionary ideals and built the foundation for the national liberation movement.
He described President Ho Chi Minh’s legacy as a source of pride for overseas Vietnamese in Thailand and a priceless spiritual asset for the nation, reminding future generations of patriotism, independence and lifelong dedication to the homeland.
Providing updates on Vietnam’s domestic situation, To Lam stressed that after more than 80 years of nation-building and nearly 40 years of Doi Moi reforms, Vietnam has emerged as one of the region’s fastest-growing and most dynamic economies.
He also highlighted recent reforms in administrative restructuring and the development of a two-tier local government system, saying the apparatus is now operating more effectively and moving toward more efficient governance that better serves the people.
The leader noted that the government has recently expanded support for education, healthcare and social welfare, including tuition fee exemptions from preschool through high school, the construction of integrated schools in border communes, broader health insurance coverage and housing policies aimed at ensuring shelter for all citizens.
To Lam said his visit would include discussions with Thai leaders on future cooperation directions, emphasizing that the Vietnamese community in Thailand serves as a vital bridge helping deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
He praised the Vietnamese community in Thailand for preserving cultural identity, maintaining the Vietnamese language and traditions, integrating successfully into local society and continuing to look toward the homeland.
The Vietnamese leader also highlighted the community’s dedication to preserving cultural landmarks such as the President Ho Chi Minh memorial site, Vietnam Street and other community cultural works in Udon Thani as evidence of the enduring vitality of Vietnamese culture and patriotism abroad.
To Lam expressed confidence in the younger generation of overseas Vietnamese in Thailand, saying their understanding of Thai culture combined with Vietnamese roots would enable them to become dynamic bridges advancing cooperation between the two countries.
He also thanked the Thai government and people for their long-standing support and goodwill toward the Vietnamese community, saying such openness and favorable conditions had helped overseas Vietnamese build stable lives while preserving their cultural identity.
The Party General Secretary and President highly appreciated the contributions of the General Association of Vietnamese in Thailand in uniting and supporting the community and strengthening Vietnam-Thailand friendship.
He reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State regard overseas Vietnamese, including those in Thailand, as an inseparable part of the great national unity bloc and a valuable resource for the country.
To Lam called on the community to remain united, preserve Vietnamese cultural identity, comply with local laws, support one another and continue promoting Vietnamese language education for younger generations, while also strengthening business and investment connections between Thailand and Vietnam.
He added that recommendations raised by community members during the meeting would be compiled and reviewed by relevant agencies to seek appropriate solutions.
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