Roundtable highlights Ho Chi Minh Thought and Vietnam-East Africa cooperation

Participants included Vietnamese Ambassador to Tanzania Vu Thanh Huyen, Ethiopian Ambassador to Tanzania Fekadu Beyene Ayana, expert David S. Muya from the Department of International Relations at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), along with many scholars, lecturers, students, and business representatives from the three countries.

Representatives from prominent enterprises operating in the region, such as Viettel Tanzania, Halotel, Viettel Burundi, Lumitel, and Ethiopian Airlines, also attended the event.

The presence of diplomats, academics, and business figures created a multi-dimensional space to exchange views on President Ho Chi Minh's legacy, the history of national liberation struggles, and cooperation prospects. Economic connectivity, technology, and people-to-people exchanges were emphasized as key drivers to deepen Vietnam–East Africa relations.

Speaking at the seminar, Ambassador Vu Thanh Huyen highlighted three consistent pillars in Ho Chi Minh Thought: national independence, international solidarity, and human progress. The Ambassador reviewed how President Ho Chi Minh early on linked Vietnam's struggle with the global anti-colonial movement, including in Africa, through activities such as participating in the Intercolonial Union and writing for Le Paria newspaper.

According to the Ambassador, Vietnam and Africa share many historical similarities in protecting sovereignty, self-reliance, and people-centered development.

Huyen said the spirit of solidarity from the national liberation period should be turned into practical cooperation programs in the new phase. Focus areas include strengthening air connectivity, expanding academic exchanges, promoting high-tech agriculture for food security and climate change resilience, as well as developing digital trade and business-to-business, market, and people connection models between Vietnam and East Africa.

From Ethiopia's perspective, Ambassador Ayana laid stressed on similarities between President Ho Chi Minh's national liberation thought and early African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Julius Nyerere, and Patrice Lumumba. The core common ground was the desire for independence, linking political liberation with economic sovereignty and social justice. The Ethiopian Ambassador affirmed that lessons on mass mobilization, self-reliance, and international solidarity remain valuable for Vietnam-Africa friendly relations today.

From Ethiopia's perspective, Ambassador Ayana highlighted similarities between President Ho Chi Minh's national liberation thought and early African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Julius Nyerere, and Patrice Lumumba. The core common ground was the desire for independence, linking political liberation with economic sovereignty and social justice. The Ethiopian Ambassador affirmed that lessons on mass mobilization, self-reliance, and international solidarity remain valuable for Vietnam–Africa friendly relations today.

Representing UDSM, expert David S. Muya emphasized the role of education and the young generation in continuing the legacy of friendship. UDSM proposed a two-way cooperation approach, linking training and research with specific regional development challenges such as food security, small and medium enterprise development, vocational training, and digital transformation. Recommended specific activities include short-term exchange programs, visiting lecturers, applied research projects, and building innovation networks among educational institutions.

From a business perspective, General Director of Halotel in Tanzania Bui Van Thang presented a report on the Halotel model as evidence of Global South cooperation for community development. The enterprise committed to continuing its role as a bridge, turning diplomatic relations into specific economic projects.

The roundtable was not only an occasion to learn about and discuss the life, career, and thought of President Ho Chi Minh, but also opened a space for dialogue on values meaningful to international relations and development cooperation today. The Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania affirmed that it will continue to enhance its role in connecting academics, businesses, and the young generation as a contribution to making Vietnam-East Africa relations increasingly practical, effective, and sustainable.

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