On February 24, the National Archives Center III in Hanoi held a meaningful ceremony to receive a collection of rare photographs taken by László Rozsa, a journalist and former member of the Hungarian delegation to the International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS) in Vietnam.

The story behind these photos dates back to 1973, when the Paris Peace Accords were signed, ending the Vietnam War.

As a staunch supporter of Vietnam, Hungary took significant actions to oppose the war and advocate for peace.

Hungarian officials were part of the ICCS mission, monitoring the implementation of the accords.

Among them was László Rozsa, a journalist for the Népszabadság newspaper, who arrived in Vietnam in 1969 and stayed until 1971, living in Hanoi.

In 1974, Rozsa became a member of the Hungarian ICCS delegation in Saigon. During his time in Vietnam, he traveled to numerous locations, including Hanoi, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and Loc Ninh (Binh Phuoc), capturing hundreds of images depicting ICCS missions, daily life, and wartime moments. His work also included rare photos of General Vo Nguyen Giap and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong.

An emotional journey of a son’s tribute

Rozsa’s son, Rozsa Gabor, was determined to preserve his father’s legacy by returning the photos to Vietnam. Gabor, who accompanied his father to Vietnam during 1970-1971 and lived on Quan Thanh Street (Hanoi), was deeply moved when he found the right place to entrust his father’s invaluable works.

"It’s unimaginable how much Vietnam values my father’s photos," Gabor said tearfully. "My father passed away eight years ago, and I feel as if he’s guiding me from heaven - leading me to the right people and places to make this happen."

Before finding the National Archives Center III, Gabor had struggled to identify the appropriate organization to receive the photos.

Fortunately, the owner of a homestay where Gabor stayed helped him connect with Pham Phu Binh, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and historian Duong Trung Quoc, who facilitated the donation.

During the handover ceremony, Gabor received a thoughtful gift from the center - a collection of facsimiles of President Ho Chi Minh’s signatures.

He was overwhelmed with emotion, sharing that his house in Budapest is filled with Vietnamese memorabilia, as he still fondly remembers the time he spent in Hanoi despite being just a child.

A historical treasure for future generations

Tran Viet Hoa, Director of National Archives Center III, expressed gratitude for receiving the collection: "These photos hold immense value, capturing both diplomatic activities and the lives of Vietnamese people during one of the most challenging periods in our history."

Hoa emphasized that the center will meticulously preserve and verify the photos, ensuring they are effectively utilized for research and historical education.

She also highlighted the heartwarming friendship between Hungary and Vietnam, which has lasted for over 75 years since Hungary became one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1950.

Tran Thuong