Vietnam story in Alisher Mukhamedov's heart

Uncle Ho's image in Uzbekistan's memory

In the brightly lit room of the House of Photography in the capital Tashkent (Uzbekistan), black and white photos are solemnly displayed: President Ho Chi Minh during his visit to Uzbekistan in 1959. It was the first time the Uzbek public had the opportunity to fully admire these historical moments.

President of the Uzbekistan - Vietnam Friendship Association, Mr. Alisher Mukhamedov, who chaired the exhibition, emotionally shared: The friendship between the two countries was founded by our predecessors, and has been nurtured through many generations, developing and bringing benefits to the people of both countries.

Photo exhibition "The lasting friendship between Uzbekistan and Vietnam" organized by the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association, April 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Alisher Mukhamedov is the inheritor of family memories associated with Vietnam. His father, Rustam Mukhamedov, was the youngest member of the delegation of the Soviet Prosecutor General's Office to Vietnam in 1963 and had the honor of meeting Uncle Ho. Talking to the Vietnamese press, Alisher Mukhamedov said: His father clearly remembered Uncle Ho's words that when the war ended, the Vietnamese people would build a just and prosperous society. He grew up with stories like that.

When Uzbekistan television reported on Vietnam's victory on April 30, 1975, ending a 30-year struggle for independence, freedom, and national reunification, young Alisher Mukhamedov was deeply moved. He commented: Vietnam's victory has become an example for forces fighting for peace , independence, and progress, inspiring many other countries. Vietnam's friends in Uzbekistan always celebrate two victories in parallel: the April 30 Victory and the May 9 Victory over fascism, considering them two milestones of resilient nations.

During the visit of Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Uzbekistan in April 2025, Mr. Alisher Mukhamedov once again recalled the image of President Ho Chi Minh in the memories of the Uzbek people, affirming that the friendship between the two nations is a historical bond. He believes that more than 3,500 Vietnamese students who have studied in Uzbekistan are the first and most important "people's diplomats ", contributing to building the bridge of friendship.

Witnessing the journey of 50 years after Vietnam's reunification, Mr. Alisher Mukhamedov assessed it as a "spectacular change": from the Doi Moi in 1986, to the position of one of the most dynamic economies in Asia - Pacific today. He was particularly impressed with Vietnam's policy of national solidarity and the "four no's" defense policy, considering them as the foundations to help the country maintain peace and stability for development.

People's bridge has been lasting for more than two decades

Since the Uzbekistan - Vietnam Friendship Association was established in 1999, Mr. Alisher has been fully involved, from the roles of Secretary, General Secretary, Vice President, to now President of the Association. Under his direction, every year, activities to celebrate Vietnam's National Day, Uzbekistan's Independence Day, exchanges, seminars, exhibitions, translations, and cultural promotion of the two countries are continuously organized. In 2021, he presided over the translation into Uzbek of President Ho Chi Minh's poetry collection "Prison Diary" into Uzbek, bringing Vietnam's spiritual heritage closer to friends of the neighboring country.

Mr. Alisher Mukhamedov introduced the Uzbek translation of President Ho Chi Minh's poem collection "Prison Diary" at the friendship meeting to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Uzbekistan diplomatic relations, August 30, 2022. (Photo: Thu Ha)

Alisher Mukhamedov also acts as a bridge in tourism and economic cooperation. He cooperates with Uzbekistani businesses to organize seminars to introduce Vietnam's tourism potential, connect businesses of the two countries to seek investment opportunities, and bring Uzbekistani tourists to Ha Long, Hoi An, Hanoi, etc. and vice versa.

That friendship still resonates in melody. In 2022, he composed the song “Tashkent - Hanoi, Hanoi - Tashkent”, inspired by family memories and affection for Vietnam. The work won third prize at the 9th National Award for Foreign Information.

He shared with Thoi Dai magazine reporters: "The writing process was very easy because it originated from my feelings and experiences. It was a love that was kindled by the stories my father told about the country and people of Vietnam. That initial love was further nurtured by the sincere feelings that Vietnamese friends had for me."

Mr. Alisher Mukhamedov (third from left), Chairman of the Uzbekistan - Vietnam Friendship Association, received the Third Prize of the 9th National Award for Foreign Information with the song "Tashkent - Hanoi, Hanoi - Tashkent" (Photo: Mai Anh).

With his persistent contributions, in 2022 he was awarded the Medal "For Peace and Friendship among Nations" - the most noble award for international friends of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

The trips, photos, music and even the simple stories that Alisher Mukhamedov told about pho, fried spring rolls or morning coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake… blend into the close, sincere feelings of an Uzbek friend for Vietnam.

He said: "I love Vietnam. I have many close friends here. I hope that we will be the links connecting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, so that the Vietnam-Uzbekistan relationship will become increasingly close, despite the geographical distance."

As Vietnam prepares to celebrate its 80th National Day, Mr. Alisher Mukhamedov is on his way to Hanoi. It is not just a trip, but a continuation of the journey he has been patiently building: the journey of a friend, a "people's bridge" between the two nations, to make the Vietnam - Uzbekistan friendship increasingly strong.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/cau-chuyen-viet-nam-trong-trai-tim-alisher-mukhamedov-215712.html