Around 200 documents and objects on President Ho Chi Minh's visit to France in 1946 are on display in an exhibition at the presidential complex at 17 Ngoc Ha Street, Ha Noi.
Visitors have an opportunity to view precious pieces on display for the first time, including a national flag hung in a meeting to celebrate National Day in 1946 by the overseas Vietnamese community in Paris, a portrait during the president's stay in France and some letters and articles written by him.
The objects were presented to the management board by the son of Do Dinh Thien, secretary to the president during his visit to France, and from local agencies such as National Archives Centre 3 and the Viet Nam National Library.
During a visit to France in July, the management also received 203 objects from Diep Thi Trinh–wife of Le Van Cuu–the President's doctor during his stay in France. They also accepted documents and photographs about his visit from a museum in Montreal and the association of Vietnamese people in France.
The president's visit to the European country is one of the government's most important foreign activities during the 1945-46 period. During his stay in France, he met French politicians and generals, and activists from Europe, Asia and Africa. His visit opened a new chapter in Vietnamese diplomacy: exchanging ideas based on respect for the sovereignty of every nation.
The exhibition is being held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of President Ho leaving Viet Nam to seek a way to save the nation and the 65th anniversary of his diplomatic visit as the leader of an independent country. It will run until November 21.
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