Vietnam Honors Swiss Protestors Who Raised Vietnamese Flag Atop Notre Dame Cathedral

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Over half a century ago, in 1969, alongside Noé Graff, they executed a daring and symbolic act, raising the flag of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam on top of Notre Dame Cathedral Paris. Although Noé Graff was unable to participate in this visit due to health reasons, Olivier Parriaux and Bernard Bachelard continue to foster ties with Vietnam through a series of meaningful engagements.

Olivier Parriaux (left) and Bernard Bachelard heard an introduction to the heroic martyrs whose names are engraved at the Ben Duoc Martyrs Memorial Temple, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City.

Their itinerary included visits to the Cu Chi Tunnels site and the War Remnants Museum, the presentation of gifts to policy beneficiaries and victims of Agent Orange, and a dialogue with Ho Chi Minh City’s youth under the theme “Sharing Aspirations for Peace.” The warm and heartfelt reception from their Vietnamese hosts further strengthened the bond they have long cherished with Vietnam.

During their visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Swiss guests were profoundly impacted by learning that half a million tons of bombs were dropped by US forces in the region. Bachelard and Parriaux expressed deep admiration for the unwavering resilience of the local soldiers and residents and the country’s remarkable recovery in the post-war era.

“What we did was a modest contribution to Vietnam’s fight for independence. We do not see ourselves as heroes. The true heroes are the Vietnamese people who made the ultimate sacrifice,” shared Olivier Parriaux.

Olivier Parriaux and Bernard Bachelard discussed while viewing a photo at the War Remnants Museum.

At the War Remnants Museum, the two Swiss friends were deeply moved by exhibits depicting the devastating effects of war on Vietnam. In the White Dove Room, which conveys messages of peace to children, they expressed admiration for Ho Chi Minh City’s dynamic development in the face of its turbulent history.

On November 15, during a dialogue session titled “Sharing Aspirations for Peace” with local youth, Olivier Parriaux recounted the meticulous planning behind the audacious act undertaken by three young Swiss men in 1969 to draw international attention to the unjust war in Vietnam. After careful deliberation, they selected Notre Dame Cathedral in Pacar, a globally recognized cultural landmark, over other potential sites.

Bernard Bachelard highlighted three fundamental principles guiding their action: it needed to generate significant public impact, be entirely non-violent, and ensure their identities remained undisclosed.

Executing the operation required technical expertise, courage, and ingenuity. At just 26 years old, Bernard Bachelard, a gym teacher at the time, scaled the cathedral’s highest point to raise the flag. To hinder immediate removal, the group employed a saw to block access to the structure. Their efforts compelled Parisian authorities to deploy a helicopter to remove the flag, an incident that made headlines worldwide. Remarkably, the trio’s identities remained a secret for decades.

Olivier Parriaux and Bernard Bachelard met female guerrillas and brave warriors on the Southern battlefield.

In 2023, on the 50th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords, their story was revealed through the publication of “Le Viet Cong au sommet de Notre Dame,” authored by the participants themselves.

At the reception on November 17, Politburo Member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen commended their courageous actions, emphasizing their contribution to galvanizing the global anti-war movement. He noted that their symbolic gesture inspired the Vietnamese people in their pursuit of victory, culminating in the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 and the country’s reunification in 1975.

The Swiss trio’s dedication to justice extended far beyond their 1969 act. Over the years, they have been advocates for justice for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange. The book ”Le Viet Cong au sommet de Notre Dami” is among the meaningful gifts they brought to Vietnam on this occasion.

On this occasion, Secretary Nguyen Van Nen awarded the Ho Chi Minh City Badge to Olivier Parriaux and Bernard Bachelard, recognizing their historic contribution.

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