The thematic exhibition, entitled “The Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace – A Space of Viet Nam–France Friendship and Peace”, is being held at the Museum of Living History in Montreau Park, located in Montreuil, on the outskirts of Paris.
The exhibition forms part of a series of events in France marking the 115th anniversary of the departure of the patriotic young man Nguyen Tat Thanh to seek a path to national salvation (June 5, 1911– 2026) and the 80th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's visit to France as the distinguished guest of the French Government (1946–2026).
Introducing the exhibition to Thomas Le Goff, Director of the Museum of Living History, Le Thi Phuong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, shared the special significance of organising this series of activities honouring President Ho Chi Minh—the Hero of Viet Nam's National Liberation, an Outstanding Man of Culture, and a distinguished figure of the international communist and workers' movement, who devoted his entire life to the struggle for national independence, peace, friendship and social progress.
Le Thi Phuong emphasised that President Ho Chi Minh was both a man of history and a maker of history. It was he who built the first bridges of friendship, laying the foundation for mutual understanding, respect and friendship between Viet Nam and France.
The exhibition at the Museum of Living History provides French audiences with an opportunity to learn about President Ho Chi Minh's journey to seek a path for national salvation, as well as the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, a Special National Relic where he lived and worked for the longest period of his revolutionary life—the final 15 years, from 1954 to 1969.
The series of activities honouring President Ho Chi Minh also aims to highlight the historical and cultural values underpinning Viet Nam–France friendship, thereby contributing to greater mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the peoples of the two countries.
Thomas Le Goff said that the statue of President Ho Chi Minh and the Ho Chi Minh Space have become familiar destinations for the Vietnamese community in France, as well as places where French and international visitors come to learn about, admire and pay tribute to him.
The delegation from the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace also completed the reorganisation of the Ho Chi Minh Space at the Museum of Living History. Publications and archival materials relating to President Ho Chi Minh's life, thought and revolutionary career were rearranged, supplemented and scientifically displayed, helping to promote the Ho Chi Minh legacy among the French public while fostering national pride among Vietnamese people living, studying and working in France.
"Through the photographs displayed at the exhibition, I was able to appreciate the long history of Viet Nam. Previously, I did not know much about the country's history, but after visiting the exhibition I learned a great deal, especially about President Ho Chi Minh and his role in the struggle for national liberation and independence. What impressed me most is that the exhibition helps young people like me better understand our roots and the sacrifices made by previous generations. Thanks to my friends introducing me to the exhibition and visiting it together, I now find Vietnamese history truly fascinating and want to learn much more about it," said Hugo Liao, a young overseas Vietnamese.
On the same day, the delegation from the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, led by Director Le Thi Phuong, offered incense in commemoration of President Ho Chi Minh at the Embassy of Viet Nam in France.
During a working session with Trinh Duc Hai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Viet Nam to France, the two sides discussed the preservation and promotion of the Ho Chi Minh legacy overseas, while emphasising the important role of diplomatic and cultural representative offices in advancing the friendship and cooperative relations between Viet Nam and France in the new era.
The delegation from the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace also worked with the Embassy of Viet Nam in France to supplement documents and photographs and further organise and complete the Ho Chi Minh Exhibition Space and Library at the Embassy.
The series of cultural and academic activities in France contributes to promoting the Ho Chi Minh legacy more extensively, enhancing the value of overseas memorial sites dedicated to him, and effectively implementing Conclusion No. 85-KL/TW of August 19, 2020, issued by the Party Secretariat, on continuing activities to honour President Ho Chi Minh abroad.
