Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and delegates at the President Ho Chi Minh statue in La Habana (Photo: VNA)
According to Vietnam News Agency, the statue is placed on an area of 5,600 square metres in Acapulco Park the central of La Habana, the capital city. Although the park was later renamed as Peace Park, a majority of La Habana residents call it Ho Chi Minh Park.
The foundation of the statue was built under the supervision and design of skilled architecture Yoel Díaz Gutiérrez, who spent many years with Vietnam as well as its resistance war against the American imperialist for national liberation. The statute of President Ho Chi Minh was cast in bronze by Vietnamese craftsmen and presented to Cuba during Prime Minister Phan Van Khai’s visit to Cuba in October 2002. The construction was then completed on May 19th, 2003, on the occasion of the 113th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh.
The foundation of the statute, made of red marble stone, is 54 square metres, representing 54 Vietnamese groups, with a 5-pointed star shape of the Vietnamese national flag. In the middle of the star lays a stone tower which is 2.1 metres high, 1 metre wide and 0.6 metre thick, supports the statue. The tower was built from a 3-ton granite stone block transported from Cuba’s Youth Island, ensuring that the statue is firm no matter the climate conditions.
The protective frame above includes four red iron bars supported on the foundation of the green trees around, connecting to form a peak, creating the image of Vietnamese traditional hats. Among the four iron bars, three are symbols of 3 forerunner organizations of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the other is the symbol of the Communist International. The meeting point of the four bars on the top of the statue aims to honour Uncle Ho’s extraordinary ability in uniting revolutionary forces for national liberation.
To draw focus on the statute, architect Yoel Díaz designed a row of bamboo in the back of the statue. The bamboo, in connection with the ancient trees, remind visitors of Viet Bac and Dien Bien Phu bases where Uncle Ho lived and directed Vietnamese revolution.
At present, the construction is cared for by local residents and the Cuba - Vietnam Friendship Sub-committee. There is also a traditional room exhibiting items relating to Uncle Ho’s country and homeland.
Over the past years, more than 150 Vietnamese official delegations, including high-ranking delegations, have laid wreaths at the statue to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh. It has also become a popular destination for international tourists, and a space for recreation for local residents.
The construction which is the evidence for the loyal and pure friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, brings the image of Uncle Ho closer to all Cubans./.