A monument design contest to honour the late Vietnamese President HoChi Minh was launched at the University of Sussex on April 1 tocelebrate his connection with the port town of Newhaven in the UK’sSussex region.

Professor Michael Davies, DeputyVice-Chancellor of the University, said this is an opportunity for theschool’s students, as well as those in the Sussex region, to learn aboutthe life and career of the late President Ho Chi Minh who once workedon a ferry between Newhaven and France in the early 20 th century.

Newhaven Mayor Judith Ost said in 2013, local authorities laid amarble flagstone at its port to mark the centenary of his arrival in theUK during his overseas journey to seek ways of liberating Vietnam. Thememorial is engraved with information on the late leader’s historicallinks with Newhaven.

One year later, Newhaven andVinh city of Vietnam’s Nghe An province – Ho Chi Minh’s hometown – weretwinned, becoming the first sister localities between the two countries,she added.

She expressed her hope that the contestwill attract more youth to visit their town as well as the Newhavenport, where the monument will be displayed.

At thelaunch, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Van Thao hailed thecontest as a meaningful initiative commemorating President Ho Chi Minh,saying he hopes that the contest will contribute to the friendship andcooperation between the countries.

The competition is sponsored by the Vietnam-UK Network in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy.

The result will be announced on May 24, five days after Ho Chi Minh’s125 th birthday. The winning design will be made by Nghe An artisansand displayed at the Newhaven port by the end of this year.-VNA