General Secretary To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace this afternoon, where they toured the iconic stilt house and fed fish at Uncle Ho’s Pond.

In the peaceful, historically rich setting, General Secretary To Lam introduced President Macron to the life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, a revolutionary leader who devoted his life to Vietnam’s independence and development.

The French President was guided through the stilt house, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1958 until his passing in 1969.

This two-story wooden structure with a tiled roof was built in 1958, modeled after traditional Tay and Thai ethnic stilt houses in the Viet Bac resistance base - closely associated with Ho Chi Minh during nine years of resistance.

General Secretary To Lam also showcased a number of artifacts linked to President Ho’s life and revolutionary career, underscoring his enduring influence.

Following the tour, the two leaders fed fish together at the iconic fish pond, one of the most personal and symbolic spots in the relic site.

A particularly symbolic moment of the visit was the planting of a fragrant moc huong (Osmanthus) tree by the two leaders within the relic grounds.

This act not only commemorates the enduring friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and France, but also honors the memory of President Ho Chi Minh - a leader who once studied and worked in France and maintained deep affection for the French people.

The visit and tree-planting ceremony marked a significant gesture in the long-standing Vietnam–France relationship, reflecting its historical depth and shared aspirations for the future. It also served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of preserving the moral and ideological legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, while raising awareness of environmental stewardship among Vietnamese citizens and international friends.

Over a century ago, in 1911, Ho Chi Minh began his journey to seek national salvation by departing for France - the first country on his path. Thirty-five years later, in 1946, as the head of the Vietnamese government, he chose France for his first official overseas visit.

Today, bilateral ties between Vietnam and France continue to flourish across numerous fields. Over the past five decades in particular, the relationship has seen remarkable progress, based on mutual respect and a forward-looking spirit.

The two nations have built strong political trust, dynamic and effective economic partnerships, deep and comprehensive scientific and technical cooperation, and rich cultural and social exchanges.

Tran Thuong & Pham Hai