Politics

HCM City honours Swiss friends supporting Vietnam’s fight for peace

Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, hosted a meeting on November 17 to express gratitude to Olivier Parriaux and Bernard Bachelard, two of the three Swiss citizens who raised the flag of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam atop the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on January 18-19, 1969, as a protest against the war and a gesture of solidarity with the Vietnamese people's quest for peace.

Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, presents the HCM City Badge to Olivier Parriaux and Bernard Bachelard at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)
Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, presents the HCM City Badge to Olivier Parriaux and Bernard Bachelard at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, hosted a meeting on November 17 to express gratitude to Olivier Parriaux and Bernard Bachelard, two of the three Swiss citizens who raised the flag of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam atop the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on January 18-19, 1969, as a protest against the war and a gesture of solidarity with the Vietnamese people's quest for peace.

Nen said that the brave actions of Parriaux, Bachelard, and their compatriot Noé Graff carried profound significance, driven not by personal or national interests but a commitment to peace, justice, and the struggle of the Vietnamese people for independence, reunification, and territorial integrity.

On behalf of the Vietnamese people who now enjoy peace and independence, the leader extended heartfelt gratitude to international friends who supported Vietnam’s fight for freedom.

In response, Parriaux and Bachelard talked about the enduring impact of the war in Vietnam, highlighting issues such as unexploded ordnances and the long-term effects of Agent Orange/dioxin on multiple generations of locals.

They said both of them, along with their fellow activist Graff, continue to raise funds for legal efforts seeking justice for dioxin victims and humanitarian initiatives targeting the group. Bachelard expressed a strong desire for collaboration with like-minded Vietnamese individuals and organisations to advance this cause.

To honour their contributions, the leader presented the HCM City Badge to Parriaux and Bachelard, recognising their silent yet noble contributions to the nation’s struggle for independence.

On behalf of his two comrades, Parriaux presented Nen with the book "Le Viet Cong au sommet de Notre-Dame", co-authored by the three men and published by FAVRE in Lausanne, Switzerland, last year./.

VNA
#flag of National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam atop Notre Dame Cathedral #Olivier Parriaux #Bernard Bachelard #Noé Graff Vietnam
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

The twin towers of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) in Ankara are brilliantly illuminated with the image of Vietnam's national flag. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Türkiye)

Turkey hails Vietnam’s growing international standing

Vietnamese Ambassador to Türkiye Dang Thi Thu Ha reviewed the development of bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1978, affirming that cooperation has grown strongly and substantively, particularly in politics and diplomacy, economy and trade, and defence and security. She congratulated Türkiye on officially becoming a dialogue partner of ASEAN.

Nguyen Xuan Thang, member of the 13th Party Central Committee's Political Bureau and Chairman of the Central Theory Council (left) and Li Shulei, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Secretariat, and Head of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department, (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, China step up theoretical exchanges, share Party-building experience

During his working visit to China, Nguyen Xuan Thang, member of the 13th Party Central Committee's Political Bureau and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, had a meeting with Li Shulei, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Secretariat, and Head of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department, during which the two sides held in-depth discussions on theoretical research, practical reviews and Party building, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation and experience sharing between the two Parties.

Vietnamese Consul General in Perth Pham Hai Anh (C) meets with Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly and his spouse. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam, Australia’s Northern Territory eye direct air route

A key proposal raised during the meetings was the early establishment of a direct air route linking Vietnam with Darwin. The route is expected to facilitate travel as well as trade, investment, education and tourism ties, while further promoting people-to-people exchanges.

Congratulations to DPRK on National Day

Congratulations to DPRK on National Day

Vietnamese leaders have extended their greetings to leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the 78th anniversary of its National Day (September 9).

Chairwoman of the Vietnam - Mongolia Friendship Parliamentary Group (VMFPG) Judagiin Bayarmaam and Mongolian officials welcome President of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and his spouse at Chinggis Khan Aiport, Ulaanbaatar on September 9 noon (local time). (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly President begins official visit to Mongolia

The visit aims to promote substantive cooperation between the two legislatures, contributing to strengthening collobation in defence, security and economic ties, particularly in science and technology and other emerging areas of cooperation, in line with the depth and scope of the Vietnam - Mongolia Comprehensive Partnership.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron visit the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace in May 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Opening up new development space for Vietnam-France relations

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s official visit to France demonstrates Vietnam’s special regard for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and contributes to making the two countries strategic bridges in ASEAN and the EU.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Head of the Committee's Commission for Policy and Strategy Nguyen Thanh Nghi holds a working session with Alexey Komissarov, Director of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), in Moscow on September 8. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Russia seek stronger cooperation in policy research, training

Head of the Committee's Commission for Policies and Strategies Nguyen Thanh Nghi expressed appreciation for the RANEPA and its predecessor institutions for their contributions to training and fostering Vietnamese officials. Over the past decades, nearly 1,000 Vietnamese officials and leaders have studied and received training there, many of whom have gone on to hold important positions in Vietnam’s political system.

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva at the general debate on the global human rights situation at the opening of the UNHRC’s 63rd regular session in Geneva on September 7. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam calls for stronger effectiveness of UN Human Rights Council

As a member of the UNHRC for the 2026-2028 term, Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sincere dialogue and constructive cooperation with all countries and UN mechanisms, in line with the principles of universality, fairness, objectivity, impartiality and non-interference.

President of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and his spouse Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga leave Seoul on September 9 morning, concluding their official visit to the Republic of Korea. (Photo: VNA)

NA President concludes official visit to Republic of Korea

During his stay, NA President Man held a meeting with Prime Minister Han Seong Sook and talks with NA Speaker Cho Jeong Sik. At the meetings, the two sides spoke highly of the positive development of Vietnam-RoK relations, particularly regular exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones. They affirmed that the two countries have become each other’s leading important partners in economy, trade and investment.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam and Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matvienko see photos depicting the Vietnam-Russia relationship. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader meets with Chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council

Top Vietnamese leader To Lam proposed that the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Russia continue to play their role in improving a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation; and strengthen oversight of and urge the implementation of agreements reached by the senior leaders and Governments of the two countries, thereby helping translate political commitments into concrete programmes, projects and cooperation outcomes.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (right) and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov exchange souvenirs. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Russia promote defence cooperation

In order for bilateral defence ties to truly match its role as a strategic pillar of the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new period, the two sides agreed to focus on promoting several key areas, including delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, particularly high-level one; maintaining effective defence strategic consultation and dialogue mechanisms; training; and United Nations peacekeeping operations.