Ho Chi Minh City's rise as economic hub marvellous: President

Lauding the perseverance and success of the people of Vietnam, President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday expressed admiration at how Ho Chi Minh City has transformed into a prosperous regional economic hub.

"As we witness the vigorous pace of life and work in Ho Chi Minh City and perceive the positive energy of its people, it is difficult to imagine that they had, not so long ago, endured an extraordinary struggle against many powerful forces for a prolonged period of time.

"One cannot but marvel at the way this city has transformed itself into a hub of economic activity in the region. Its prosperity bears testimony to the perseverance and success of the Vietnamese people," Mukherjee said in his address at the banquet hosted in his honour by the Communist Party city unit's secretary Le Thanh Hai, who is considered an upcoming figure in the southeast Asian country's polity.

Mukherjee admitted he was looking forward to visiting "Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, and to pay homage to the spirit and courage of its citizens".

In his last visit to Vietnam in May 2011, when he was the union finance minister, he had been only to Hanoi for the Asian Development Bank's annual meeting.

He said he was "overwhelmed by the gracious hospitality" extended to him and his delegation since they arrived Sunday.

"We are delighted to be in this historic city - named after Bac Ho, a legendary leader who is regarded a hero even in India," he said, referring to the iconic Ho Chi Minh.

Mukherjee stressed that this city "had, over the centuries, attracted Indian sea farers and traders, scholars and professionals and businessmen and investors - from the north and south of India - many of whom made Vietnam their home."

He noted now Indian students choose to come here to pursue undergraduate courses at Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City.

"The ancient Indian temples and mosques that stand majestically amidst your modern structures are monuments to our common heritage. They are well preserved and their continuing maintenance by the inhabitants of this city is greatly appreciated by all who visit them," he said.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)