A memory with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Thailand

Dr. Binh recalled that on June 23, 2013, with the Ambassador's consent, the First Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy called and asked him to go to Thailand to support the delegation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam on an official visit to Thailand (June 25-27, 2013).

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongand the delegation took photos with overseas students at the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok in 2013.(Source: Vu Duy - Xuan Son/VOV-Bangkok)

This is a very special visit by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam since the visit to Thailand by General Secretary Do Muoi 20 years ago (1993).

During this visit, there were two outstanding events: the two sides signed an agreement to upgrade the relationship to a strategic partnership and the awarding ceremony.Honorary DoctoratePolitical Science from Thammasat UniversityGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh's first impression was that the General Secretary resembled a teacher and he also had the seriousness of a researcher and scientist. The General Secretary appeared in Dr. Binh's eyes as gentle, calm, and intelligent as any professor of the Faculty of Literature, Hanoi University of Science.

During the ceremony to receive the honorary doctorate at Thammasat University, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was very dignified, a dignity that emanated from his intellectual height. The professors and Thai guests attending the ceremony told Dr. Binh so.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received an honorary doctorate in Political Science.(Source: Vu Duy - Xuan Son/VOV-Bangkok).

At the meeting at the Vietnamese Embassy, ​​the Embassy staff, generations of overseas Vietnamese and students living, working and studying in Bangkok were all impressed by a simple and approachable leader. Honestly, at that time, Dr. Binh and everyone did not think that the person in front of them was the General Secretary, but rather like a grandfather or uncle who was on a business trip far away and that they had just met!

"At that time, I understood why Thammasat University in particular and the Royal Thai Government in general proposed to award the General Secretary an honorary doctorate in Political Science. This is the second oldest university in Thailand, founded in 1934 (18 years after the oldest university), founded by Pridi Banomyong, a good friend of Uncle Ho and the Vietnamese people," Dr. Binh informed and said that from this university, many students later became prime ministers and famous politicians such as: Sanya Dharmasakti, Tanin Kraivixien, Chuan Leekpai, Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat, Abhisit Vejjajiva....

In response to this honor, the General Secretary said: “The honorary degree that Thammasat University awarded me today is not only an honor for me personally but also a vivid symbol of the traditional friendship and good neighborly cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand.”

The visit was a great success, strengthening the relationship, raising the strategic relationship between the two countries, and leaving a good and close impression of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on the government, country and people of Thailand as well as on all cadres, overseas Vietnamese and Vietnamese students in Thailand. For Dr. Binh, this trip is a precious memory in his life that he will never forget.