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Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang attended the funeral of Madeleine Riffaud, a French poet, journalist, revolutionary, and close friend of the Vietnamese people, on November 20 in Paris, VNA reported.

Madeleine Riffaud passed away on November 6, at the age of 100. She was among the first foreign war correspondents invited to witness the American invasion of Vietnam. Her articles, photographs, and documentaries published in France provided an unflinching portrayal of the resilience and bravery of the Vietnamese people from 1965 to 1973, helping the Southeast Asian nation garner international support at that time.

Attending the farewell ceremony are Vietnamese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France Dinh Toan Thang, National Secretary of the French Communist Party Fabien Roussel, associations and friends who were close to and admired Madeleine Riffaud's fighting spirit for peace and justice. Photo: NDO

In particular, her two books - Dans les acquis de Vietcong (In the Vietcong Underground), published in 1965, and Au Nord du Vietnam, écrit sous les bombes (In North Vietnam: Written Under the Bombs), 1967, made a significant impact. The first earned the 1966 award from the International Organization of Journalists.

Not only did she support and stand by the Vietnamese people during their past struggle for national liberation, but she also remained unwavering in her commitment to them in national construction. Riffaud actively engaged in the activities of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association, supported Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims, assisted marginalized communities in remote areas of Vietnam, and encouraged the Vietnamese people in their development and global integration.

The Vietnamese State and Government awarded her the first-class Order of Resistance in 1984 and the Friendship Order in 2004 in recognition of her significant contributions to the struggle for national liberation as well as the cause of national construction and development.

Elisabeth Helfer Aubrac emphasizes Madeleine Riffaud's century-long life was characterized by a spirit of daring, commitment, passion, guided by an extraordinary will. Photo: NDO

According to NDO, at the event, Elisabeth Helfer Aubrac, daughter of French Resistance leader Raymond Aubrac and adopted daughter of President Ho Chi Minh, said emotionally, "Madeleine Riffaud's friends invited me to speak today, perhaps because my name is meaningful and symbolic. That makes sense because Madeleine's commitments were also the commitments of my parents, Raymond and Lucie Aubrac: resistance, colonial liberation, attachment to the Communist Party, the fight against all forms of injustice. It was these ideals that guided Madeleine throughout her life, as did my parents, who walked the path of lasting friendship."

Elisabeth emphasized that Madeleine Riffaud was a shining example of courage and a devoted fighter for freedom and injustice. The passing of the female resistance fighter, poet, journalist and writer whom everyone admired is a great loss.

Ambassador Thang stressed that her passing is a great loss for her friends, French communists, and all those who cherished Vietnam. The large turnout at her funeral reflects the deep affection and support for her courage, resilience, and passionate involvement in supporting the struggles for justice by the Vietnamese people and other oppressed peoples around the world.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang respectfully bids farewell to Madeleine Riffaud, a loyal friend and devoted to peace for Vietnam. Photo: NDO

On this occasion, the diplomat affirmed that the people of Vietnam will always remember her affection towards the country, and expressed the hope that her friends will continue to stand by the Vietnamese people in their ongoing struggle and development.

Gérard Daviot, former president of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association, shared, "When I was only 20 years old, Madeleine Riffaud was a fighter for many years to protest the Indochina war. I see that Vietnam is always in her heart. She once lived in Vietnam, following the Vietnamese people's war against American imperialism. She always worked for peace and never stopped fighting for it. Madeleine Riffaud was a wonderful woman. Even her enemies had to respect her for everything she brought to people around the world. Very few women or men could do that. That is why Madeleine Riffaud inspired me so much to join the movement for peace in Vietnam. Madeleine Riffaud will always remain in everyone's heart."

President of Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son and President Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association Nguyen Thuy Anh also sent condolence letters to the family of Madeleine Riffaud.

Madeleine Riffaud: Compassionate Peace Warrior with Heart for Vietnam Vietnam deeply appreciates Madeleine Riffaud's invaluable contributions and unwavering support throughout the country's history, especially during its most difficult periods.

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