In a discreet venue nestled within a narrow alley in Hanoi’s bustling city center, over 20 individuals gathered intently around Saleem Hammad, a dynamic 30-year-old Palestinian entrepreneur fluent in Vietnamese.
Hammad, whose business flourishes in Vietnam, recounted a poignant childhood memory from Jenin in the occupied West Bank. His audience leaned in as he vividly described the night Israeli soldiers besieged and raided his family’s home.
Earlier in the discussion, Hammad had emphasized how Vietnam’s legacy of resistance against the United States served as a beacon of inspiration for Palestinians combating Israel’s occupation of their homeland.
“Vietnamese people, with their storied yet painful history, have always been a source of inspiration for Palestinians in our quest for justice,” Hammad expressed to his attentive listeners. “We see you as our guiding light.”
Appalled by Israel’s assault on Gaza and the escalating casualties, a burgeoning number of young Vietnamese have begun vocalizing their solidarity with Palestinians. In doing so, they uncover the historical connections between Vietnam and Palestine, and their shared struggles for national self-determination.