After the victorious battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, President Ho Chi Minh made many official visits to other countries, both socialist and non-socialist. His first trip in 1955 brought him to the Soviet Union, China and Mongolia.

Later in 1957 and 1958, the President visited many Eastern European socialist countries as well as India and Myanmar.

In his journal, Ho Chi Minh wrote, "After the day our country is reunified, I will, on the behalf of all Vietnamese people, come to visit and pay our deep gratitude to our socialist brother countries, as well as our friends all over the world, who have given us so much support and helped us through our war against America, the war we had to fight to save our country."

Unfortunately, the beloved President wasn't able to live to see his wish come true.

DTiNews had a precious opportunity to look at the rare pictures of President Ho Chi Minh during his overseas visits in the period between 1955 and 1958.

These pictures are printed in a book written in English, owned by Nguyen Thi Lien, former Dong Nai Provincial Commissioner, Thong Nhat District Committee Secretary, which now has been transferred to book collector Pham Chi Thien in Ke Sat District, Hai Duong Province.

Please take a look below:

Soviet Union leaders welcoming President Ho Chi Minh at the airport.

President Mao Zedong and hundreds of people welcome President Ho at the airport.

President Ho holds hand with a young boy during his visit to China.

President Ho dressed in Mongolia's traditional costume.

President Ho at Ulanbator Airport (Mongolia).

President Ho is welcomed at Pyongyang Airport, Democratic People's Republic of North Korea.

President Ho visits a Kochang agricultural co-operative in Kangsu, south of Pyongyang.

President Ho during his visit to India in February 1958.

The president tests his rowing skills on a traditional boat of Myanmar.

President Ho receives an honourary law degree in Myanmar.

President Ho joins in with the traditional dance of Albania.

A young German girl gives flower to President Ho.

President Ho is presented with roses and gifts from German people.