Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vuong, Director of the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France highlighted the everlasting value of the resistance war for national independence with the Great Spring Victory in 1975, as well as the outstanding developments made after 40 years of reunification.

 

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vuong praised the great contributions of President Ho Chi Minh to the Vietnamese people as well as his noble qualities such as appreciating the simple life, being pure and upright, being modest and sacrificing his life for the people and the country, emphasizing how the Presidents life was devoted to the liberation of the country and striving to implement his "utmost desire" to provide "all the people with enough food, clothing and education". As a result, the Vietnamese people always give him gratitude, absolute confidence and love.

 

Mr. Marc Menguy, former Minister Counselor of the French Embassy in Vietnam in 1975, and one of those who opened the French Embassy in Vietnam said: “Many French people and I greatly admire the Vietnamese struggle for independence and freedom led by President Ho Chi Minh. The French people also love Ho Chi Minh, who laid the foundation for the friendship relationship between the two countries. My admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and love for Vietnam urged me to leave the diplomatic position in Washington in 1975 to come Vietnam to show my solidarity and support for Vietnam, although Vietnam at that time was still very difficult”.

 

At the ceremony, Vietnamese singers and bands performed special music and songs to praise President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam the country, including songs such as “The singing in Pac Bo forest” of musician Nguyen Tai Tue; “Ho Chi Minh, the most beautiful name” of musician Tran Kiet Tuong; “Ba Dinh moon” of musician Thuan Yen… and “Ho Chi Minh song” of English musician Ewan Maccoll to close the program showed sentiments of progressive international people to Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people./.