Vo Nguyen Giap (1911-2013) passed away recently generating obituaries that asses...

Vo Nguyen Giap (1911-2013) passed away recently generating obituaries that assess his role in Vietnam’s history. Can’t find our blurred photo together so I’m posting the title page of the book he autographed for me during the commemoration of Ho Chi Minh’s 100th birthday. I met General Giap in Ho Chi Minh’s house and was thrilled to shake the hand of a man who fought in the two Vietnam wars that saw the defeat of France and the U.S. He didn't speak English and I spoke no Vietnamese so we communicated in French. Kahit kulang at baluktot ang beginners Pranses ko nagkaintindihan naman ata kami. He said he was a former history teacher and would give me a lesson not on the Vietnam wars but on Ho Chi Minh. So he walked me through the rooms and introduced Ho to me as a person and friend rather than a hero fossilized in bronze and marble.


Autographs