Ho Chi Minh's adopted son, a son of Vietnam.

For Madeleine Riffaud, President Ho Chi Minh was a great leader, wholeheartedly devoted to the people and the country. His compassion and international solidarity served as a shining example, enabling her to overcome all difficulties and wholeheartedly support Vietnam in its struggle for national liberation and in its subsequent development.

Madeleine Riffaud was adopted by President Ho Chi Minh when he visited Paris in the summer of 1946 as a distinguished guest of the French government . Later, she was affectionately nicknamed "Eight Madeleine" by the female guerrillas of South Vietnam during a visit to the liberated zone of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam in 1963 with Australian journalist W. Burchett, where she worked with lawyer Nguyen Huu Tho, the Front's chairman. The women of South Vietnam held her in high regard as this French woman, a former female guerrilla fighter against Nazi Germany, visiting the liberated zone in her black traditional Vietnamese dress and checkered scarf.

Madeleine Riffaud first came to Vietnam in 1955 to report on the aftermath of the Dien Bien Phu victory. Later, she was one of the first foreign war correspondents to be present, directly investigating, filming, and reporting on the heroic struggle of the Vietnamese army and people during the war against the US.

Madeleine in the battlefield of South Vietnam.

Madeleine in the battlefield of South Vietnam.

Madeleine Riffaud's works reflected the heroic struggle of the Vietnamese people and the devastating losses inflicted by the war, gaining significant acclaim in France and internationally. They contributed to garnering more support from progressive people around the world for Vietnam's peace efforts and gave Vietnam an advantage in the Paris Peace Accords negotiations.

Madeleine Riffaud is the author of many valuable articles and films, especially the two books Dans les acquis de Vietcong (In the Viet Cong Base), published in 1965, and Au Nord du Vietnam, escrit sous les bombes (In North Vietnam, written under bombs), published in 1967 in France, along with films recording images of American B52 planes dropping bombs on Hanoi and Hai Phong in 1972.

Even after peace was restored, Madeleine Riffaud continued to cherish Vietnam, considering it her second home and always showing concern for and support for the Vietnamese people.

She actively participated in the activities of the Franco-Vietnamese Friendship Association, supporting victims of Agent Orange and helping people in difficult circumstances in Vietnam.

In her small apartment in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, filled with mementos of Vietnam, Madeleine cherishes and preserves the souvenirs she brought back from her visits to the country. A poster reading "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" is proudly displayed in the center of the room. For her, Vietnam remains in her memory, and her love for this distant land remains unchanged. (Photo: Khai Hoan)

In her small apartment in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, filled with mementos of Vietnam, Madeleine cherishes and preserves the souvenirs she brought back from her visits to the country. A poster reading "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" is proudly displayed in the center of the room. For her, Vietnam remains in her memory, and her love for this distant land remains unchanged. (Photo: Khai Hoan)

In recent years, despite her advanced age and declining health, Madeleine Riffaud remains remarkably sharp, remembering the major events of her life vividly. These include her time on the extremely fierce battlefields of Vietnam. Having experienced perilous moments and witnessed the heroic spirit of the Vietnamese army and people, she often reiterates her unwavering belief that no matter how difficult the circumstances, the Vietnamese people will not falter, but will continue to fight until they achieve complete victory and build a prosperous nation as envisioned by the great President Ho Chi Minh.

For Madeleine Riffaud, President Ho Chi Minh was a great leader, wholeheartedly devoted to the people and the country. His compassion and international solidarity served as a shining example, enabling her to overcome all difficulties and wholeheartedly support Vietnam in its struggle for national liberation and in its subsequent development.