On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification of Vietnam, on 24th April 2025, Ambassador of Vietnam to India, H.E. Nguyen Thanh Hai, paid a visit to the Central Secretariat Library (CSL) under the Ministry of Culture of India in New Delhi. During the visit, he gifted a selection of new books to enrich the Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh Corner at the library.
The Central Secretariat Library is one of the oldest government libraries in India and the second largest in the country’s central library system. The Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh Corner was inaugurated on December 29, 2017, in the presence of Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Ms. Sujata Prasad, and then-Vietnamese Ambassador H.E. Ton Sinh Thanh. It was established to promote cultural cooperation, strengthen political ties, and enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. Vietnam remains the only country to have a dedicated room within the Library.
During his visit, Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai presented books on Vietnamese history and culture for inclusion in the Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh Corner. This space now houses over 500 titles covering Vietnam’s history, culture, geography, and the Vietnam–India relationship, and is adorned with vivid images showcasing the country and its people.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Y. A. Rao, a representative of the Library, expressed his honor in welcoming the Ambassador and Embassy officials on this momentous occasion for Vietnam. He emphasized that Vietnam’s resilient struggle for independence remains not only a source of national pride for the Vietnamese people but also a powerful inspiration for generations of Indians. He also shared the history of the library’s development and praised the establishment of the Vietnam Corner, describing it as a valuable resource that enables Indian officials and the public to gain deeper insight into Vietnamese culture, history, and the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai expressed sincere gratitude to the Library for its thoughtful curation and promotion of the materials in the Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh Corner. He affirmed that the Corner is not only a repository of knowledge but also a cultural bridge that continues to strengthen the close bonds between the people of Vietnam and India. The Ambassador noted that Vietnam deeply values India’s historic support during its struggle for independence—an arduous journey marked by great sacrifice. Today, 50 years after reunification, Vietnam has emerged stronger, achieving remarkable development milestones and continuing to expand its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India.
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