Prominent at the meeting were Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung, UNESCO Deputy Director Hans D’ Orville and President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association Helene Luc.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai highlighted the life and revolutionary cause of the President, as well as his contributions to national independence and struggle against injustice in the world.

“President Ho Chi Minh left a great cause to the nation and an invaluable spiritual legacy – Ho Chi Minh thought, which has become a torch guiding the Vietnamese people to unite as one, overcoming all difficulties to build a prosperous country,” he said.

UNESCO Deputy Director Hans D’ Orville praised Ho Chi Minh’s historical role and personality, citing UNESCO’s appreciation that Ho Chi Minh is a symbol of national spirit, who devotes his life to the Vietnamese people’s independence and freedom and contributes to nations’ struggle for freedom, democracy and social progress in the world.

Earlier, a delegation of representatives from the Embassy, other Vietnamese agencies and Vietnamese community in France paid tribute to Ho Chi Minh at Compoint Street where he used to live in the 1920s and a monument dedicated to the late President at Montreau Park in Montreuil.

In Cuba, Vietnamese and Cuban students held many cultural and art activities to celebrate President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.

On May 13, a gala night on Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam was held in Havana with the participation of students from universities in Santa Clara City.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Vu Chi Cong highlighted the solidarity between the Parties, Governments and people of Vietnam and Cuba, especially Fidel Castro’s sentiment to the Vietnamese people in general and President Ho Chi Minh in particular.

On this occasion, an exhibition entiled “Vietnam Village” was held at the Las Villas University with books, newspapers, photos and items introducing the Vietnamese people, their daily life and culture.

In Russia, on May 14, the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy and Moscow authorities introduced the book “Russians talk about Ho Chi Minh”.

At the ceremony, President of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association Vladimir Buiyanov said that the book’s debut was made at a time when the two countries have celebrated a series of important events, including the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the 65th anniversary of victory over fascism and the 35th anniversary of liberation of the south of Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that the book would help Russian readers, especially students of Vietnamese study, to have better understandings about Ho Chi Minh’s works and life.

The 160-page book was a collection of stories and memories of 16 Russian writers, journalists and diplomats, who had had chances to meet Ho Chi Minh. The book also included a number of photos of the President in various period.