The exhibition provides various angles on the life and career of President Hồ Chí Minh through archives from the US, Russia, France and Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Some of France’s Archives National d’Outre Mer (National Archives Overseas) most valuable documents about late President Hồ Chí Minh are on display in Hà Nội.

The documents include a passport issued by the Chinese Consulate in Singapore to Tống Văn Sơ (another name of President Hồ Chí Minh), portrait photos and fingerprints taken in 1931.

They are on display at the exhibition 'President Hồ Chí Minh: Life and Career through Vietnamese and International Archival Records', which opened yesterday in Hà Nội to commemorate the 50th anniversary of implementing his testament.

The exhibition showcases more than 100 documents and images about President Hồ’s life and career selected from archival and cultural agencies of Việt Nam, the US, Russia and France.

“The exhibition provides different angles about President Hồ through the archives of the US, Russia and France,” said Đặng Thanh Tùng, director of the State Records and Archives Department of Việt Nam.

“We received the collaboration of the Russian National Film Archive Institute, Russian Foreign Policy Research Institute, the National Archives Overseas of France and the US National Archives and Records Administration. Many documents haven’t been shown to the public before.

“We hope that the exhibition will bring a better understanding of President Hồ’s life and career to the public in Việt Nam and around the world thereby strengthening the trust in the Party and the revolutionary path built up by President Hồ.”

It’s a rare chance to see documents such as an individual plan of research student Lin (another name of President Hồ) in 1937 in the Institute for Studies of National and Colonial Affairs in Russia; letters and telegrams sent by President Hồ to President Harry Truman requesting the US and the UN take action on the aggression from the French in 1946; a letter of gratitude from President Hồ to President Lyndon Johnson after receiving a photo taken by spaceship Apollo 8 in 1969; and a letter President Richard Nixon sent to President Hồ expressing his desire to discuss peace in 1969.

“I wanted to take this opportunity to reaffirm in all solemnity my desire to work for a just peace,” Nixon wrote.

“I deeply believe that the war in Việt Nam has gone on too long and delay in bringing it to an end can benefit no one, least of all the people of Việt Nam. [..] You will find us forthcoming and open-minded in a common effort to bring the blessings of peace to the brave people of Việt Nam.”

Rene Nicolas Houzelot, director of the National Archives Centre in Paris, said the legacy of President Hồ is rich and diverse and he is an inspiring and influential person for many people.

“The exhibition is very meaningful in spreading his ideology, morality and devotion in the national liberation and world peace,” he said.

The exhibition will run until September 8 at the Presidential Palace. — VNS