Honoring Heritage and Strengthening Bonds
The recent commemorative event held in the Suoi Hai community brought together distinguished guests, including Ms. Nguyen Phuong Tra, Director of the Middle East and Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ait Aissa, Deputy Ambassador of Morocco to Vietnam, Mr. Le Hao Quang, Vice Chairman of the Suoi Hai People's Committee, and Ms. Ghalia Nakhli, President of the Moroccan-Vietnamese Association. This gathering was not just a formality but a heartfelt acknowledgment of the historical ties between Vietnam and Morocco, exemplified by the Morocco Gate, erected during the resistance war by Moroccan veterans who left the French army to join the Viet Minh. This gate, alongside the Vietnam Gate in Morocco, has become a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between the Vietnamese and Moroccan peoples.
During her speech, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Tra expressed her deep emotions and gratitude for the opportunity to visit the Morocco Gate alongside individuals of both Vietnamese and Moroccan descent. She emphasized that such activities not only foster a stronger connection to one's roots and homeland but also solidify the solidarity and friendship between the citizens of both nations, particularly as we approach the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Morocco, which falls on March 27, 2026. Director Nguyen reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to collaborating closely with local authorities, the Moroccan Embassy in Vietnam, and relevant agencies to preserve and promote the Morocco Gate as a symbol of the Vietnamese-Moroccan friendship.
A Symbol of Reunion and Cultural Identity
Ms. Ghalia Nakhli reported on the many Moroccans who returned to Vietnam for this significant occasion to reconnect with their homeland, families, and relatives. The delegation members, having traveled a long distance from North Africa, were profoundly moved to witness the monument built by their ancestors firsthand. Ms. Nakhli expressed her gratitude towards President Ho Chi Minh for his humane policies towards Moroccan soldiers during the resistance war, as well as to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local authorities, the Moroccan Embassy in Hanoi, and the residents surrounding the Morocco Gate for their continuous efforts in preserving and caring for this monument.
According to Ms. Nakhli, the Morocco Gate is not only a site that preserves historical memories but also a 'sacred place' that has witnessed many reunions of families of mixed Vietnamese and Moroccan heritage. Additionally, Mr. Tang Xuan Luu, former Director of the Ba Vi Cattle and Grazing Research Center and a member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam-Morocco Friendship Association, shared insights into the history, significance, and restoration process of the Morocco Gate over time. He expressed hope that the monument would continue to be preserved and its value promoted, ensuring that future generations of both countries understand the history of their struggle for national independence.
Later that day, Nguyen Trung Kien, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, met with Ms. Ghalia Nakhli and members of the Moroccan-Vietnamese Children Association to collaborate on mutual interests. During this meeting, Ms. Nakhli highlighted that while the Vietnamese community in Morocco is small, it remains united, actively preserving its national cultural identity, and striving to maintain the Vietnamese language for the third and fourth generations. The community always looks back to its homeland and sustains close ties with the Vietnamese Embassy in Morocco. Chairman Nguyen Trung Kien praised the spirit of solidarity, the commitment to preserving the Vietnamese language and culture, and the strong connections of the Vietnamese community in Morocco. He welcomed initiatives aimed at promoting the history of Vietnamese-Moroccan relations as well as supporting the education and development of the Vietnamese community in Morocco.
Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien reiterated that the Party and State consistently pay attention to the lives of the Vietnamese community abroad, including those in Morocco. Efforts are focused on protecting their legitimate rights and interests, supporting them in stabilizing their lives, integrating into host countries, while also preserving their national cultural identity. Moreover, favorable conditions are being created for overseas Vietnamese to return to Vietnam for living, working, investing, and conducting business.
As reported by vietnam.vn.
