President Ho Chi Minh brings hope to the world

Recognising her contributions, Dominique De Miscault was presented with the medal "For the Development of the Vietnamese Press" in 2005.

To further honour her efforts, an photography exhibition titled "Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam-France Friendship" was opened o­n May 17 to mark the 116th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh.

On this occasion, a correspondent from Quan Doi Nhan Dan Newspaper interviewed Dominique.

* Dear Ms Dominique, you have organised many exhibitions o­n Vietnam and its people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City as well as in France. Which messages did you want to send to everybody?

In spring 1992, I traveled to Vietnam. Before, I o­nly knew that Vietnam was steadfast and brave through struggles for national independence and liberation. But when I came here, I was impressed by the beauty of the place and people. This feeling made me want to do all I could for the land. First was an exhibition in France, a collection of paintings in 1995; then exhibitions, "Places to live and worship" in Paris in 1996, in Dreux in 1999; "Vietnam: between sea and land" in Paris; "From sayings to relationship, from colour to tune" in Issy Les Moulinwaux in 2000; "Exploits of lights in Vietnamese calligraphy" in 2001. After that, many exhibitions such as "Stirring life", "Frog, bamboo and rain", "Footsteps" were held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

All these say that I love Vietnam. I love and respect both simple objects such as bamboo and precious Vietnamese traditions such as paintings and calligraphy. These things prove that the beauty of Vietnamese land and people is not o­nly manifested in the scenery but also in mind.

* Why did you choose President Ho Chi Minh for this exhibition?

At first, many special events were related to him. I had to say that his face and figure always shows sensitivity and a virtue that brings hope to the world if people know how to promote it. He oriented people toward freedom.

* It is difficult to organise such an exhibition, especially for a foreigner. What difficulties did you meet when you started implementing your idea?

At first, I could not imagine what to do. It took me several years to prepare for this exhibition. I was encouraged by my friends and colleagues in France as well in Vietnam, especially by the help of Ms Ha, a researcher o­n President Ho Chi Minh. I had to go many places in Paris and some famous places in France as well as places where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. I met and took photos of witnesses who had worked with him or did research about him.

What would Uncle Ho think if he visited places which had become historical relics? The sky and houses are still there, but the streets are more crowded and noisy. Many historical relics have been damaged or renamed. However, some have been restored. They are Village de Gaublain where Nguyen Tat Thanh, Phan Van Truong and Phan Chau Trinh lived from July 1919 to July 1921 and Cosain hospital where Nguyen Ai Quoc was treated in September 1920.

The successful exhibition was a great honour for me. Furthermore, it is also a special favour that your country has given to me.

* Do you have any other plans after the exhibition?

If permitted by the Management Board for President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, I will take the exhibition to Ho Chi Minh City and take some photos to an exhibition in France.

I am sure that I will organise some more exhibitions of photos, pictures and arrangements of art o­n Vietnam and its people in Vietnam and France.

* Thank you very much