During 5 years (from 1968 to 1973) negotiations were conducted Paris Agreementhouse number 49, now number 17, rue Cambacérès in the city of Verrières-le-Buisson, a suburb of Paris, was once the residence of the Delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam.
Returning to the house, the place where Vietnam’s peace is incubated, after 50 years, the scenery has changed, but the feelings are still warm.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam Peace Agreement, the delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in France had the opportunity to visit the house where the delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs then and later Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Binh led, had been during the negotiation and signing of the Paris Agreement.
The house was introduced to the Vietnamese delegation by members of the French Communist Party.
[ 50 năm Hiệp định Paris: Nhìn lại quá khứ để thêm trân trọng hòa bình]
Located on a high mound overlooking the romantic lake Cambacérès, the lovely little house is surrounded by well-manicured flower gardens, ornamental plants and fruit trees creating a feeling of relaxation and peace.
A sign recognizing the value of historical relics was placed in front of the house 10 years ago, on the 40th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreement.
The Vietnamese delegation took a souvenir photo of the place where the relic sign was placed in front of the house number 17, Cambacérès street, Verrières-le-Buisson city. (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)The sign clearly states: “Here, from 1968 to 1973, the Government Delegation Provisional Revolution of South Vietnam stayed to participate in the negotiations and signing of the Paris Peace Accords on January 27, 1973.”
Compared to 50 years ago, the architecture inside the house has changed a lot, is more beautiful and modern, but the memories of the old history are still kept and cherished by the owner.
When buying the house in 2016, Mr and Mrs. Henrie learned about the history and was especially impressed to know that this place had witnessed a period of Vietnam’s history.
Sharing with VNA reporter, Ms. Danièle Henrie, the owner expressed her honor to live in this house.
She said: “I feel very honored to know that the house has a special and long history. Built in 1903, the house was then a cafe-restaurant by the lake Cambacérès, in the Verrières forest, where many Parisians often come to picnic on vacations or weekends.In 1968, Mrs. Binh came here to participate in negotiations and signings. Paris Peace Agreement. And I think this is a very important historical mark of the house. We’re so proud of that!”
Appreciating the historic values of the house, the homeowners even visited Vietnam in 2018 and had the good fortune to meet former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh, the only woman to sign the Agreement. the Paris Agreement, starting the process of national liberation and restoring peace in Vietnam.
The host family introduces photos taken with former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh Binh and the memorabilia she gave during their visit to Vietnam in 2018. (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)Expressing her admiration and admiration, Ms. Danièle said that Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh was very brave when she accepted to leave Vietnam for France, away from her husband and children to participate in the negotiation process that lasted up to 5 years.
“She told me that her only wish at that time, as a mother, wife, and Vietnamese woman, was to return to her roots and peace, and every time she missed home, she out the window, look out hồ Cambaceres, watching the swans swimming around and hoping to soon sign an Agreement to return to their homeland. This touched me very much and every time I stand by the window, I think of her, feel the nostalgia for her homeland,” said Danièle.
The Vietnamese delegation took souvenir photos with the host family. (Photo: Thu Ha/VNA)The hostess also said that this house is not only a place to keep the historical imprint of the Provisional Revolutionary Government delegation, but also a place to store many memories of the Vietnamese students who came to stay in the past. He studied in France in the years 1970-1980.
“A lot of them, and later their descendants, have visited here every time they have the opportunity to return to Paris. So whenever a Vietnamese comes to ring the doorbell, I always greet them, because know that this house means a lot to them,” she added.
Returning to the old historical place, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang was very touched, especially with the warm welcome of the host and grandparents, who had a special affection for Vietnam and kept it in the past. home a lot of memories related to Mrs. Binh, to the history and culture of Vietnam.
The ambassador affirmed: “It can be said that the house not only marks a historical period of the country, but also preserves the feelings of the two peoples of Vietnam and France”.
Nguyen Thu Ha (VNA/Vietnam+)