'Paris Peace Accord - Gateway for Peace' Exhibition Opens in Hanoi

The 'Paris Peace Accord - Gateway for Peace' exhibition opened in the Ho Chi Minh Museum (Hanoi) with more than 250 documents, photos, physical and written artifacts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of this historical agreement (January 27, 1973 - January 27, 2023).

January 19, 2023 | 13:30

The opening ceremony on Jan 16 was hosted by the Central Propaganda Department in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In his opening remarks, the Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum Vu Manh Ha affirmed that the exhibition was organized to help the public better understand the context and developments of the Paris Conference and the significance of the signing of the Agreement to Vietnam and the world.

Also, Ha said that the Paris Peace Accord demonstrated the wisdom and just leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Party Central Committee to the struggle. It also affirmed our negotiation delegation's bravery, initiative, resolute stance and skillful negotiating line.

Hence, the Paris Peace Accord was the victory of the longest and most difficult diplomatic struggle in the history of Vietnamese diplomacy in the 20th century.

The 'Paris Peace Accord - Gateway for Peace' exhibition is also an opportunity to honor the Vietnamese negotiation delegation, the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, generations of officers, soldiers and people who contributed to the success of the Peace conference as well as the implementation of the Agreement.

Hiệp định Paris qua những tư liệu và hiện vật sinh động

Honored delegates cut the ribbon to open the exhibition.

Hundreds of artifacts of Historical milestone

This event is a significant milestone for the liberation struggle of the Vietnamese people, thereby, arousing patriotism and national pride; consolidating and fostering the people's confidence in the Party's leadership in the current renovation and international integration process.

It alsso contributes to gratitude to peace-loving friends around the world who have cheered for the just fight of Vietnamese people for independence, freedom, peace and justice.

Many visitors attended the opening ceremony.

The exhibition consists three parts: The road to peace, Gateway to peace and Towards peace. It shows thoroughly the process of the signing displayed through images, documents and artifacts to help the public better understand the meaning of Paris Peace Agreement for the Vietnamese revolution and progress towards peace.

Display of precious artifacts

Many precious, original, and one-of-a-kind artifacts are displayed at the exhibition. They are kept at the Ho Chi Minh museum and were exclusively featured for the special event.

For example, there are the four signing pens at the Paris Agreement on January 27, 1973, being preserved and displayed at the Ho Chi Minh Museum. They are pén used by the members of the negotiation delegation: Le Duc Tho, Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh, and Nguyen Thi Binh.

After the signing event, these precious artifacts were brought back to the country and handed over to the Central Office of the Party. On February 20, 1986, the Central Office handed over to the Ho Chi Minh Museum to preserve and promote its long-term value. The four pens are identical in shape, size, and color.

These are German-made black plastic casing, Papeterie brand, white metal cap, with Vietnamese engraved letters that said "Pen signed the Paris Agreement on January 27, 1973".

Vietnam's former Vice President, former Foreign Minister, and leader of the Paris Peace Accord negotiation delegation Nguyen Thi Binh Sharing spoke about the historic event.

“When I signed the victory agreement, thinking of the fallen compatriots and comrades who could no longer know this important event, I teared up. In my life, this is a great honor because on behalf of the people, revolutionary soldiers to fight face-to-face with the invading enemy right in Paris, to be able to sign the victory agreement after 18 years. The country waged a just war full of sacrifices and hardships... That is probably the most profound memory in my diplomatic life."

Many precious, original, and one-of-a-kind artifacts are displayed at the exhibition.

According to Binh, the signed agreement opened the door to peace for our country after many years of fierce war. Besides, the pens signed the Paris Agreement in 1973 have become historical evidence for the cause of the Vietnamese people's struggle for independence, freedom and national reunification. For this very reason, the signing pens are currently being preserved and introduced to the public at the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

In addition, there is also the set of cups given to Le Duc Tho by Henry Kissinger during the meeting and exchange on the sidelines of the Paris conference in 1973.

Kissinger was appointed as the 56th Secretary of State of the United States and led the American delegation to participate in negotiations while Le was the "special adviser" of the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Paris. They had many meetings both during the conference and on the sidelines of the conference.

During the negotiation with Le, there was a time when Kissinger had to exclaim: "I could have done better if the opponent of the negotiation table was not Le Duc Tho, negotiating with him was a real brain game".

With the bravery of a veteran politician and intelligence, ingenuity, flexibility, and creativity in each specific plan, Le managed to implement the motto "persistently fighting and winning" step by step and proceed to the final victory. He was a great contributor to forcing the United States to sign the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam.

The opening ceremony on Jan 16 was hosted by the Central Propaganda Department in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Kissinger's souvenir gift of a set of cups was donated to the Ho Chi Minh Museum by Le to preserve and promote the long-term value of artifacts.

The set of cups includes 1 container, 6 cups. In terms of material, the cup holder is made of cardboard covered with blue fabric, the inner fabric has faded. In terms of dimensions, the box is 29 cm long, 19.8 cm wide, 10.4 cm high. 6 cups, come with a handle, made metal.

This gift set is being preserved and introduced to the public at the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

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