In October 1945 in Hanoi, President Ho met Colonel Stephen L. Nordlinger, who at the time headed a US social relief unit, and asked him to help transport food from southern Vietnam to the north, release Japanese prisoners of war and care for unfortunates.

Before Nordlinger left Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh presented him with a picture made of silk and embroidered with a crane perching on a conifer branch.

Since then, the gift had been preserved by three generations of the Nordlinger family until May 13 when it was handed over to the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

Jane Coyle, a granddaughter of the late US officer, said that after years of keeping the gift as an asset, her family decided to donate it to the Ho Chi Minh Museum to show their affection and respect for President Ho.

Ms Coyle said President Ho and Colonel Nordlinger were destined to be friends and now the picture has returned home on the occasion of President Ho's 116th birthday.