In June 1911, Nguyen Tat Thanh, 21 (later known as Ho Chi Minh), departed from Nha Rong Wharf in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) aboard a French vessel, beginning a decades-long journey across continents in search of a path to national liberation. One of the earliest stops on that voyage was Port Said, the strategic Egyptian port city connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea.

Looking back on the historic journey more than a century later, many observers believed the brief stop in Egypt was more than just a waypoint in Ho Chi Minh’s travels. It was also an important formative experience that contributed to shaping his international revolutionary vision.

Early encounters with colonial realities

Speaking to Cairo-based VOV correspondents ahead of the 115th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh’s departure for national salvation (June 5, 1911 – June 5, 2026), Egyptian Communist Party Secretary-General Salah Adly stated the experiences Nguyen Tat Thanh witnessed in Egypt had a profound impact on his political awareness.

According to Adly, while in Port Said, the Vietnamese man was able to directly observe Egyptian society under colonial rule and the stark divide between the ruling class and local workers.

“Those early experiences helped him gradually realise that oppression and exploitation were not unique to Vietnam, but were common realities shared by colonised peoples across the world,” he said.

“It was a moment that helped him better understand the global nature of colonialism.”

From the perspective of the Egyptian Communist Party leader, the brief stop in Port Said also carries symbolic significance for present-day Vietnam–Egypt relations. It can be seen as one of the earliest points of contact between the Vietnamese revolutionary movement and the Arab and African worlds.

Ho Chi Minh’s observations about the shared struggles of oppressed peoples in Southeast Asia and North Africa later contributed to the development of his deeply internationalist worldview. That vision eventually became an important foundation for Vietnam’s foreign policy of solidarity with developing nations, including Egypt.

Although the 1911 visit did not directly establish diplomatic relations between the two countries, Adly described it as “an early seed of solidarity” that helped lay the intellectual foundation for the friendship between Vietnam and Egypt in the decades that followed.

From historical contact to modern partnership

After Vietnam gained independence, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations in 1963. Over the past six decades, bilateral ties have continued to strengthen through high-level exchanges, economic cooperation and coordination at international forums.

According to Adly, Vietnam–Egypt relations are currently maintaining positive momentum across multiple sectors. In particular, the 2025 visit to Egypt by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong created fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation.

Economic ties between the two countries have also continued to expand. Vietnam exports agricultural products and consumer goods to Egypt, while Egypt serves as an important gateway for Vietnamese products entering African and Middle Eastern markets.

Cooperation in culture, education and people-to-people exchanges has also been growing steadily. However, Adly noted that significant untapped potential remains, particularly in investment, logistics and supply chain connectivity.

Vietnam as a model for developing nations

Beyond bilateral relations, the Egyptian Communist Party leader also praised Vietnam’s recent development achievements and political reforms.

He said Vietnam’s successful organisation of the 14th National Party Congress and ongoing efforts to streamline and strengthen its leadership system demonstrate the country’s organisational capacity, political stability and long-term development vision.

According to Salah Adly, Vietnam is entering a new phase of development focused not only on maintaining strong economic growth, but also on improving growth quality, fostering innovation and enhancing its international standing.

“The nation’s aspiration to rise reflects Vietnam’s growing confidence, built upon its historical foundations, cultural identity and development achievements,” he said.

From Cairo, Adly described Vietnam as a successful model for developing countries - a country that has effectively combined political stability with economic dynamism. In his view, Vietnam’s achievements carry significance not only for the country itself but also for many countries across Africa and the Middle East pursuing their own development paths.

One hundred and fifteen years have passed since Nguyen Tat Thanh first set foot in Port Said. At the time, few could have imagined that the brief visit would later become a historical symbol.

Today, Port Said is remembered not only as a stop on Ho Chi Minh’s journey to seek national salvation, but also as an early bridge connecting Vietnam and Egypt - a relationship shaped by solidarity among nations that once struggled for independence, freedom and development.