Paris (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang has visited and presented gifts to Madeleine Riffaud, a French revolutionary and former journalist of the French newspaper L'Humanité and a close friend of the Vietnamese people, on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
The diplomat praised Riffaud as a model of dedication and selflessness, highlighting her crucial role in Vietnam's fight for independence and unity. He emphasised her lifelong commitment to justice and peace, and Vietnam’s deep gratitude for her and her fellow French comrades who strengthened the ties between the two nations.
Ambassador Thang emphaised that the love and steadfast support of Riffaud and her French friends have been and will be a source of encouragement for Vietnam in its efforts to build and protect the nation.
Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its commission for external relations, highlighted Riffaud’s valuable work in exposing the unjust nature of the American war in Vietnam, which helped garner global support for Vietnam’s cause.
Phan Anh Son, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, and Nguyen Thy Anh, president of the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association, both praised Riffaud’s enduring dedication to Vietnam, describing her as a symbol of courage and justice.
Born on August 23, 1924 in Paris, the young French Madeleine Riffaud joined the French Resistance front at the age of 18 under the pseudonym Rainer. She fought bravely against the Nazists during World War II. As a war correspondent for the newspaper l'Humanité which speaks for the French Communist Party, she was present in the anti-American war in Vietnam.
Her articles on the life and courageous struggles of the Vietnamese people in this war were published in France, attracting many peace-loving readers.
Recognising Madeleine Riffaud's great contributions, the Government of Vietnam awarded her the Order of Resistance, first class, in 1984, and the Order of Friendship in 2004./.
