On May 31, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh paid a friendly visit to the French Republic at the invitation of the French Government. This was his first overseas trip as head of state. The trip was one of the most important foreign affairs activities of the Vietnamese Government in the years 1945-1946. At that time, our country was facing numerous difficulties and complications: the Government had to face famine, illiteracy and foreign invaders. President Ho Chi Minh went to France to save peace while the French colonialists were determined to invade Vietnam once again. His time in France was also an opportunity for him to learn about the internal affairs of the French ruling class through meetings with politicians such as: Prime Minister Georges Bidault, former Prime Minister Léon Blum, Minister of Defense Charles Tillon, Minister of Overseas Marius Moutet...; or through contact with the military and socio -political activists such as: Admiral Muselier, the couple of Senator Raymond Aubrac, lawyer Bloncourt, the couple of scientists Irène Joliot Curie - Marie Curie, writer Léo Poldès, journalist Andrée Violis... On that basis, President Ho Chi Minh considered and proposed the right decisions in the next stage. President Ho Chi Minh's historic trip was assessed by researchers as helping to raise the position of Vietnam, and at the same time being a testament to the Vietnamese people's desire for peace, determination and will for independence and national unification.
Ceremony to welcome President Ho Chi Minh at Le Bourget airport on the afternoon of June 22, 1946. Photo: Documents of Mr. Do Dinh Thien's family.
To celebrate the 78th anniversary of this historic event, THQHVN respectfully introduces precious archived images of the families of National Assembly delegate Le Quang Ba (who went to the airport to see off President Ho Chi Minh and the delegation to France), capitalist Do Dinh Thien (who at that time served as Secretary of President Ho Chi Minh), lawyer Vu Trong Khanh (first Minister of Justice ), lawyer Phan Anh (former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly) - 3 members of the delegation.
The farewell ceremony for President Ho Chi Minh on his way to visit the French Republic at Gia Lam airport on May 31, 1946. Photo: Documents of Major General Le Quang Ba's family.
While waiting for the new French Government to be established, Paris sent a telegram inviting President Ho Chi Minh and members of the Vietnamese delegation to stay at Biarritz beach. Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family's documents.
At exactly 2:15 p.m. on June 22, 1946, the plane carrying President Ho Chi Minh landed at Le Bourget airport. The Paris police chief was waiting for him as he stepped out of the plane. Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family documents.
A large number of reporters from press agencies and overseas Vietnamese in France waited to welcome President Ho Chi Minh at Le Bourget airport. Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family's documents.
Minister of Overseas Affairs Marius Moutet and the French delegation welcomed President Ho Chi Minh in Paris. Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family archive.
Overseas Vietnamese raised flags and banners to welcome President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Vu Trong Khanh's family's documents.
Overseas Vietnamese children in traditional costumes welcome President Ho Chi Minh at Le Bourget airport. Photo: Vu Trong Khanh's family's documents.
Prime Minister Georges Bidault welcomed President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1946). Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family documents.
President Ho Chi Minh visited the martyrs' graves at Mont Valérien and the mausoleum of King Napoleon (July 4, 1946). Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family documents.
President Ho Chi Minh speaking at Paris City Hall (afternoon of July 4, 1946). Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family documents.
President Ho Chi Minh visited scientist Irène Joliot Curie and her husband. Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family documents.
President Ho Chi Minh holding the third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Aubrac (whom he later adopted). Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family documents.
President Ho Chi Minh speaks on the radio with overseas Vietnamese and guests at a tea party solemnly hosted by overseas Vietnamese at Bagatelle, Bois de Boulogne. Photo: Do ​​Dinh Thien's family archive.
President Ho Chi Minh talks to 2,000 overseas Vietnamese at the Friendship Association. Photo: Phan Anh family's documents.
Vietnam National Assembly Television
Source: https://news.quochoitv.vn/hinh-anh-quy-ve-chuyen-cong-du-nuoc-ngoai-dau-tien-cua-chu-cich-ho-chi-minh-223991.htm