Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm pays floral tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh. VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

MANILA — Shortly after arriving in Manila for a state visit to the Philippines, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President of Việt Nam Tô Lâm, his wife, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation laid flowers at the monument to President Hồ Chí Minh in the ASEAN Garden in Intramuros Old Town, Manila, on Sunday afternoon.

General Secretary and President Lâm and his entourage expressed their profound gratitude to President Hồ Chí Minh – the great leader of the Vietnamese people, who dedicated his entire life to the struggle for national independence and world peace.

Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, his spouse Ngô Phương Ly, and a Vietnamese high-ranking delegation pay floral tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh in ASEAN Gardens, Manila. VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

The President Hồ Chí Minh monument in the ASEAN Garden holds profound historical, cultural, and diplomatic significance, reflecting the friendship between Việt Nam and the Philippines, as well as the solidarity within the ASEAN community. The monument was inaugurated in October 2011, marking the 35th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

The monument is designed in a simple yet solemn style. Its surrounding area is the green space of the ASEAN Garden, a place that honours the solidarity and friendship among Southeast Asian nations. The statue not only features artistic value but also deeply symbolises peace, cooperation, and development.

The President Hồ Chí Minh monument is also an important cultural destination of local people and visitors from ASEAN countries and around the world. It helps promote the image of Việt Nam as a friendly and peace-loving nation that makes active contributions to the international community. — VNA/VNS