During a visit to Vietnam to attend activities to celebrate Hanoi’s millennium birthday on October 1, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova visited Van Mieu – the Temple of Literature, and an exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh.

Accompany Ms Bokova was Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, vice chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, and representatives from UNESCO Vietnam.

 

At Van Mieu, Ms Bokova was introduced to the history of the first university in Southeast Asia where a wide range of cultural activities take place. She said she was very happy to visit the site which connects Vietnam’s tradition of culture and education and expressed her hope that Vietnam will continue to maintain, promote and diversify its unique cultural identity through its the integration process.

 

Ms Bokova also cut a ribbon to open the exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh and lifelong learning at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi on the same day. She expressed her respect for President Ho Chi Minh who brought independence and freedom to Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh was a poet, a journalist and a patriot so he was fully aware of the importance and power of education and knowledge. He put forth initiatives to protect cultural heritage and highlighted the role of knowledge in human development.

 

 

With nearly 300 photographs, documents and other items, the exhibition showcases Vietnam’s academic tradition and respect for talented and moral people, especially the example of lifelong learning set by President Ho Chi Minh. It also features Party and State policies for building a learned society.

 

(VOVNEWS)