Speaking to Viet Nam News Agency (VNA), Hélène Luc, Honorary President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV), said Viet Nam entered her life when she was just 15 years old.
Born into a family with a strong anti-invasion spirit, she developed an early admiration for the Vietnamese people's struggle for independence. While participating in the French Youth Women's Union, she and other young women raised money to buy milk for Vietnamese children and knitted scarves and sweaters to send to Viet Nam. In the years that followed, her bond with Viet Nam continued through her political activities.
 |
| Hélène Luc, Honorary Senator and Honorary President of the France-Viet Nam Friendship Association (AAFV). (Photo: VNA) |
It was not until 1978 that she saw for the first time, with her own eyes, the country she had spent many years supporting. Viet Nam had just emerged from war and was still facing shortages of food, medical equipment and many essential goods. She recalls that meat was transported by bicycle, ballpoint pens were refilled with ink for continued use, clothing was scarce, and bicycles were the main means of transportation for much of the population. At an orphanage whose reconstruction was supported by the city of Choisy-le-Roi, the children were kept clean and well cared for, but each meal consisted of only a small piece of meat.
When she returned to Viet Nam in 2013 and 2015, she felt as though she was no longer visiting the same country she had once known. The small military airport in her memories had been replaced by a modern airport, connected to the city center by a broad boulevard. By 2023, she was once again surprised by changes in people's daily lives and the abundance of goods.
What also impressed her was the dynamic spirit and entrepreneurial drive of Vietnamese people, both among the younger generation and older people. She also regarded the high proportion of people connected to the Internet as a sign of progress in technology and digital life.
She described the achievements made as highly impressive and said that science, high technology and digital technology would play an important role in achieving development objectives and improving people's living standards. In her view, France has an interest in strengthening cooperation with Viet Nam in science, economics, culture, healthcare and defense, while also recognizing Vietnam in line with its current position.
Source: Vietnamtimes
