PARIS — An exhibition on Hồ Chí Minh opened in Paris, France, on November 13, highlighting the late President as a great man of peace and culture.

The permanent delegation of Việt Nam to UNESCO and the Vietnamese Embassy in France organised the event to mark 30 years since UNESCO ratified a resolution on the 100th birth anniversary of Hồ Chí Minh.
Opening the exhibition, Ambassador Trần Thị Hoàng Mai, head of Việt Nam’s permanent delegation to UNESCO, noted in 1987, the 24th General Assembly of UNECO adopted Resolution 18.65, which recognised that “President Hồ Chí Minh, an outstanding symbol of national affirmation, devoted his whole life to the national liberation of the Vietnamese people, contributing to the common struggle of people for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.”
Mai said the late leader, born in 1890, left a priceless spiritual heritage for Vietnamese people; his ideology that not only mentions fundamental issues of Việt Nam’s revolution but also the role of education and culture in peace and development.

The resolution highlighted that the important contributions of Hồ Chí Minh to culture, education and the arts, crystallising the cultural tradition of Vietnamese people which stretches back several thousand years, and that his ideals embody the aspirations of peoples in the affirmation of their cultural identity.
The diplomat said in education, Hồ Chí Minh supported education for all and life-long learning. He also believed in the strength of culture in building the nation and dialogue between cultures and that international solidarity is the best way to achieve peace.
In her speech, UNESCO General-Director Irina Bokova expressed her respect for President Hồ Chí Minh, adding that with its proud history, Việt Nam will continue to develop.

The event was also a chance for French Việt Nam lovers to recall historical events involving Hồ Chí Minh.

To historian Alain Ruscio, director of the Centre for Information and Documents on Việt Nam in Paris, President Hồ Chí Minh is one of the greatest figures in the 20th century.

He noted that 100 years ago, the young Vietnamese man came to Marseilles and no one thought he would initiate a fight to liberate his people, contributing to erasing colonialism across the world.

“With his advanced thought, President Hồ Chí Minh led Vietnamese people to win in the long-term war against American imperialism,” he said.

Helene Luc, honourable chairperson of France-Việt Nam Friendship Asscociation, said Việt Nam’s victory in the war against America was an important global event.

“The present Việt Nam is the result of efforts made by President Hồ Chí Minh and Vietnamese people,” she said. “Vietnamese people will continue the building process in the future.”

At the same event, singer Mathieu Lecroart performed two songs composed by French composer Louis Durey based on two poems by President Hồ Chí Minh. — VNS