The victory of the Paris Agreement was attributed to the contribution of overseas Vietnamese living, studying and working in France – who silently helped, protected and supported the two Vietnamese negotiating delegations. complete mission.
In the heart of the Vietnamese children in France, the country needs and can do anything, they are willing to do it no matter how difficult it is, because they know that these difficulties are nothing compared to the sufferings experienced by compatriots in the country. suffered at that time. Homeland means heavy love deep in the heart of every Vietnamese expatriate. Overseas Vietnamese cannot be separated from the Vietnamese people.
There are members of the Union of Overseas Vietnamese in France participating in the Paris Agreement negotiations, there are also members of the association quietly participating in logistical forces such as administration, health care, security protection for the delegation. , cook and print documents, or cooperate with the Franco-Vietnamese Friendship Association and the French Communist Party to mobilize rallies…
During the nearly five-year journey, overseas Vietnamese have always been in close contact with the two groups and are as close together as family members. Every time Tet comes, on the occasion of interacting with overseas Vietnamese in France at the Vietnamese Association in France or attending a cultural performance of overseas Vietnamese celebrating Tet at Maubert’s mutual house, the delegation visits and visits regularly. There was an information session regarding the country’s situation and the progress of the negotiations.
| The Vietnamese negotiating team met with overseas Vietnamese. (Photo: Le Tan Xuan) |
There are times, to let the delegation relax following the intense brainstorming sessions in negotiations, the association organizes picnics and invites the whole delegation to attend; cordially address “Sister Hai” to Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, “Mr. Xuan” to Mr. Xuan Thuy, or “Mr. Sau” to Mr. Le Duc Tho.
The occasions of supporting the two delegations continuously for nearly 5 years created a long-term relationship of the two groups with overseas Vietnamese in France, leaving a lot of emotions that will never be forgotten.
January 27, 1973 is a historic milestone. I was moved to tears, as the red flag with yellow stars and blue flags with yellow stars fluttered under the cold winter sky. I feel warm and proud to be Vietnamese. On the morning of January 27, 1973, overseas Vietnamese made an appointment at subway stations, at cafes near the conference venue, with a red flag with a yellow star and a half-red, half-blue, yellow-star flag in stock.
At the appointed time, when the two convoys were on their way to the Kléber International Convention Center, thousands of overseas Vietnamese and French friends promptly gathered along the way to the signing place, waving flags and chanting to welcome their victory. Vietnamese people. A red flag with a yellow star and a half red half blue half yellow star flag fluttered on the sidewalk of Kleber Avenue and all sang the song “Like Uncle Ho on a great day of joy and victory”.
The branches of the Union of Overseas Vietnamese in the provinces of France organized to go to Paris to celebrate the signing of the Paris Agreement with a journey of 700 or 800km just to stand in front of the Kléber International Convention Center and wave the flag to welcome the delegation. signed a peace agreement for the country of Vietnam and then went home.