Close friendship between President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno

The Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia recently held a seminar themed "The close friendship between President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno, and the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia." 

60 years ago, diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia were upgraded from Consul General to Ambassador level, a milestone on the path of friendship begun by the great patriots and leaders of the two nations: Ho Chi Minh and Sukarno.

At the seminar, which featured perspectives on President Ho Chi Minh's historic 10-day visit to Indonesia in 1959, Nguyen Dang Tien, Head of the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association, described the role of the two presidents in fostering bilateral ties in all areas, particularly in people-to-people exchange.

Mr. Tien said “During its 62 years of operation, the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association has organized visits, tourism and cultural activities between the two peoples. Next year, on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic relations, as Vietnam assumes the ASEAN Chair, the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association and the Indonesia-Vietnam Friendship Association will promote cultural and tourism exchanges. Through the Voice of Vietnam, the people of the two countries will forge closer ties.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Minh Tuyet, Senior Lecturer of the Academy of Journalism and Communications, said President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno always gave each other a warm welcome that went beyond the formal protocols.

The leaders agreed with each other on international issues and believed in and supported the struggles they led. They presented each other with their nation’s highest distinction. President Ho Chi Minh was presented the only honorary doctorate of his life. President Sukarno was the foreign leader who was given the most poems by President Ho Chi Minh.

Agus Marwan, author of the book "Revolution on the Red River," says that after many years of studying the Vietnamese revolution and President Ho Chi Minh, he recognizes a great similarity of the two men’s personalities.

He said “In the eyes of Indonesians, President Ho Chi Minh was a patriot who devoted his life to Vietnam’s independence, and was the leader of the resistance against Japan, France, and the US. Ho Chi Minh wrote a letter of cooperation with Indonesia against colonialism and imperialism. He was also an erudite figure and had a good command of foreign languages.”

Rudy Harotono, winner of a contest organized by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Voice of Vietnam on President Ho Chi Minh’s historic visit to Indonesia, said the two peoples now enjoy independence thanks to their leaders’ contributions.

The seminar’s presentations will be published in a booklet  to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Indonesia.