18 years of caring for the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple.

QTO - For over 18 years, Mr. Phan Huu Thien (74 years old) has quietly and devotedly cared for and maintained the warm incense burning at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple in Ha Xa village, Ai Tu commune. More than just a job, for Mr. Thien, caring for the temple is an honor and a great source of pride that he vows to dedicate himself to until the end of his life.

As usual, on the full moon days, the beginning of each month, President Ho Chi Minh's birthday, Tet (Lunar New Year), and other national holidays, Mr. Phan Huu Thien is always busy arriving early at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple to sweep the grounds, trim the trees, plant flags, and light incense sticks on President Ho Chi Minh's altar.

This year, on the occasion of the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2026), Mr. Thien spent many days cleaning the grounds, sweeping the memorial temple, and meticulously tending to the plants. Meeting us with sweat glistening on his shirt, Mr. Thien recounted: At the alleyway of Mr. Phan Tuong's house, on September 25, 1969 (corresponding to the 14th day of the 8th lunar month of the Year of the Rooster), in boundless sorrow, the Party cell of Ha Xa village, Trieu Ai commune (formerly), led the people in organizing a memorial service and mourning for President Ho Chi Minh.

Mr. Phan Huu Thien lights an incense stick at the altar dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh - Photo: D.V.

In the extremely difficult and dangerous conditions of the enemy-occupied zone, the memorial service and mourning for Uncle Ho were meticulously and solemnly organized by cadres, Party members, and the people of Ha Xa village, demonstrating the respect of the people of Quang Tri town, Trieu Phong district, and Ha Xa village, Trieu Ai commune in particular, at that time for the beloved leader of the nation. At the time of the memorial service, Mr. Thien was still in 9th grade, but he was quite aware of this event.

“Because we lived in the middle of enemy-occupied territory, the Party cell and villagers secretly organized a memorial service for President Ho Chi Minh under the guise of a village peace prayer ceremony, in order to evade the surveillance of the US-backed regime. Without a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, the Party cell used paper money with his image on it for the memorial service. The ceremony was brief but solemn. The cadres, people, and elders who attended were all choked with emotion,” Mr. Thien recounted.

According to Mr. Thien, after that deeply moving memorial service, many revolutionary families in the village set up altars and wore mourning scarves on their wrists and hat straps for seven days to mourn President Ho Chi Minh. At that time, due to increased repression by the enemy, only Ha Xa village in Quang Tri province organized a memorial service for President Ho Chi Minh. Right at the location where the memorial service for President Ho Chi Minh was held, the local government erected a shrine to commemorate the contributions of the beloved leader. This is also a place for people to visit, show their respect for Uncle Ho, and educate the people and the younger generation about the tradition of patriotism and national pride.

Mr. Thien participated in the local guerrilla movement for several years until peace was restored. He got married, became a farmer, and has lived in the area ever since. In 2008, after the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple in Ha Xa village was inaugurated, the local government and people entrusted Mr. Thien with the responsibility of directly caring for and maintaining the temple.

Mr. Phan Huu Thien takes care of the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple in Ha Xa village - Photo: D.V.

Mr. Thien said that his job is to regularly prune, water, and clean the entire memorial temple about 4-5 times a month, especially during the dry season, and light incense at the altar dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. Before holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), he hangs flags... Although the work is not too strenuous, it must be maintained regularly and periodically to keep the temple area solemn and dignified.

In addition, when groups of visitors and students come to visit and offer incense, he also wholeheartedly assists with tasks such as cleaning the temple, lighting incense for the groups, and directly explaining relevant information about the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple.

Besides his family's farming work, regardless of sun, rain, wind, or storms, Mr. Thien has never missed his regular duties at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple. He believes: "This is not simply a job, but also an honor and a deep affection for President Ho Chi Minh. Therefore, I always try my best to take care of the temple area meticulously, keeping it clean and beautiful, and maintaining a sacred and warm atmosphere."

In 2004, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province issued a decision granting the Phan Tuong Alley historical relic status, which later became the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple. The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple holds a particularly important spiritual place in the hearts of every Quang Tri citizen. Every year, on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19th), National Day (September 2nd), and other national holidays, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple is always visited by officials, citizens, and students throughout the province to offer flowers and light incense in remembrance and gratitude.

According to Trinh Duyet, Secretary of the Party Branch of Ha Xa village, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple is a sacred "red address," where every year officials, people, and the younger generation come to offer flowers and incense to remember and express gratitude for President Ho Chi Minh's immense contributions. Mr. Phan Huu Thien's role and contributions are crucial in maintaining the temple's cleanliness, beauty, and solemnity.

“Mr. Thien is an exemplary, dedicated person with a deep and profound love for President Ho Chi Minh. He takes care of the temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh with all his responsibility, dedication, and deep affection. The Party branch always highly appreciates his silent efforts and devotion, thanks to which the temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh is always kept solemn and serves as a place to educate the people, especially the younger generation, about the deep gratitude they have for the beloved leader of the nation,” Mr. Duyet shared.

Duc Viet

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202605/18-nam-cham-care-den-tho-bac-ho-a395d61/