“Standing before President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, I sensed something beyond politics or the times: it was the profound respect of an entire nation for a man in whom they had absolute trust. I could not help but bow to that reverence – not because of the solemn exterior, but because of the quiet, enduring spiritual strength that requires no display.”

“I came to Viet Nam at a difficult moment in my life. Meeting people who had also endured immense pain and loss from war, I felt a deep sense of empathy. This human connection made me regard Viet Nam as my ‘second homeland’, and that feeling remains unchanged to this day.”

Since my first trip to Viet Nam in late April 1992, I have witnessed profound changes in this country. One of my most vivid memories is of my first days in Ha Noi in a small, simple but warm guesthouse. From that moment on, I felt a special closeness and sincerity, which makes Viet Nam unique — both new and familiar to me.

I still remember the time I visited a friend in Ha Noi, seeing a picture of Uncle Ho — a symbol in every Vietnamese home around 1992. His simple image, sitting at his desk, was often kept as a sacred symbol, expressing the respect, pride, and deep affection that the Vietnamese people had for their beloved leader. The bust placed next to the picture was not only a reminder of him, but also a way for each family to connect with the history and ideals of the nation.

After the US trade embargo was lifted in February 1994, Viet Nam began to gradually open its borders and integrate with the world. I consider this to be the period of the “Viet Nam Spring”. In recent years, Viet Nam has truly taken off, driven by new energy and a strong desire to rise.

I admire the ability of Vietnamese leaders and diplomats to combine international integration with preserving national identity. This combination has contributed to strengthening Viet Nam’s position in the international arena and establishing long-term cooperative relationships.

For me, President Ho Chi Minh was an extraordinary personality with extraordinary will and courage. Above all, he was a great patriot who devoted his whole life to the independence and freedom of the nation. I believe that his sacrifices are a shining example for future generations. I deeply understand and appreciate the indomitable spirit, strong will, and great sacrifices of the Vietnamese people to regain independence and freedom.

According to historian Alain Ruscio, September 2, 1945, stands as a resplendent milestone in Viet Nam’s thousand-year history of nation-building and defence, known worldwide as the day the Vietnamese people paved the way for the struggle against colonialism.

After thirty years of travelling across the globe in search of a way to liberate his country, Nguyen Ai Quoc identified the direction of struggle to regain independence and freedom for the Vietnamese people. On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh delivered the “Declaration of Independence” in Ha Noi, an event of immense historical significance for the nation. This was a momentous occasion, as the Declaration of Independence opened a new era and for the first time, the Vietnamese people could proudly call themselves citizens of a free and independent nation.

At that time, the word “independence”, which seemed almost unattainable for any colonised nation, was proclaimed officially, forcefully, and with extraordinary resolve. From that historic moment, the young Democratic Republic of Viet Nam inspired a powerful movement worldwide: oppressed peoples rose up in succession to fight for independence and freedom, following the path charted by President Ho Chi Minh.

Viet Nam’s history has been marked by centuries of building and defending the nation, with talents emerging whenever the country was in peril. The struggle for independence, marked by the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, and later the reunification of the country on April 30, 1975, is inseparably linked to the life and career of Viet Nam’s great leader Ho Chi Minh.

The unwavering determination and steadfast will of President Ho Chi Minh and his comrades were all the more meaningful in that the initial revolutionary victories were achieved through the self-reliance and resilience of the Vietnamese people. For this reason, his name continues to be honoured by peoples across the world.

Although President Ho Chi Minh repeatedly expressed his desire to negotiate for peace, belligerent factions within the French colonial administration and later the US imperialists continued to pursue the path of war. In 1945-1946, many in France still clung to their colonial system. Moreover, President Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh cadres were communist soldiers. The Cold War at that time was a source of fear for French officials. In Paris, the warmongers prevailed and launched the Indochina War. This event once again compelled the Vietnamese people to continue their struggle for independence, freedom, and national reunification for the next 30 years.

Eric Lafon, Director of the Living History Museum in Montreuil, has long been attached to the museum — which is home to the Ho Chi Minh Space which preserves documents, images, and artefacts on the life and revolutionary career of the great leader of the Vietnamese people. Through his work, he has gained profound knowledge of Vietnamese history and patriotism.

He stated: “I understand clearly that as the years go by, the indomitable spirit of National Day, September 2, remains deeply embedded in the hearts of all Vietnamese people. The protracted struggle of the Vietnamese people has shown that the spirit of September 2 is an unstoppable source of inspiration for generations of Vietnamese to resolutely defend their independence and freedom.”

The Living History Museum honours great figures who have left profound historical marks and exerted significant influence on the world, including President Ho Chi Minh. With sharp political vision and boundless patriotism, he resolutely set out to find a path to save the country and save the people. Through a journey full of hardship and danger, he embraced Marxism-Leninism, discovering the correct path to national liberation for Viet Nam.

It can be said that the August Revolution of 1945 was one of the most glorious and momentous victories in the history of the national construction and defence cause. This historic achievement was born of the spirit that “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom,” upheld by the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President Ho Chi Minh. That victory has been enshrined in the nation’s history as a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism and the intellect of the Vietnamese people, and it stands as one of the great triumphs of the 20th century.

Not only the Vietnamese people but also countless French and international friends hold a deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, who devoted his entire life to the cause of independence and freedom for Viet Nam, as well as to the cherished values of humanity. He became a symbol revered by all who love justice and liberty, for his perseverance in overcoming immense hardships to find a path of national liberation.

Viet Nam is truly proud to have had President Ho Chi Minh, who guided the people along the revolutionary path to forge a heroic and indomitable nation. He is a symbol of courage and freedom, honoured not only in Viet Nam and France but also in many other countries across the world.

Like many others, I vividly remember the powerful words declared by President Ho Chi Minh on September 2, 1945: “Viet Nam has the right to be a free and independent country — and in fact is so already. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to mobilise all their physical and mental strength, and to sacrifice their lives and property in order to safeguard their liberty and independence."

As those who cherish peace and hold deep affection for Viet Nam, we are immensely proud of this heroic and resilient nation, not only for its long and arduous struggle to regain independence and national unity but also for its remarkable path of reconstruction, renewal, and vigorous progress over the past decades.

Published: August, 2025
Production Manager: Chu Hong Thang – Pham Truong Son
Content: Khai Hoan – Minh Duy (Nhan Dan correspondents in France)
Design: NDO