Three cars serving President Ho Chi Minh are recognized as National Treasures.

(NLĐO) - Three automobiles used by President Ho Chi Minh have been recognized as National Treasures, not only as means of transportation but also carrying profound symbolic value.

As part of the 2025 Spring Homeland Program, on the morning of January 19th, a ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace to announce the Prime Minister 's decision recognizing three automobiles used to serve President Ho Chi Minh from 1954 to 1969 as national treasures.

Presenting the Prime Minister's decision recognizing three automobiles that served President Ho Chi Minh from 1954 to 1969 as National Treasures. Photo: Huu Hung

Attending the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese; representatives and former leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area at the Presidential Palace, along with a number of ministries, businesses... and a large number of overseas Vietnamese participating in the Spring Homeland Program 2025.

According to the Organizing Committee, among the relics, documents, and artifacts currently preserved and promoted at the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site, there are three automobiles that served President Ho Chi Minh from 1954 to 1969, which have just been recognized by the Prime Minister as National Treasures (13th batch, 2024). Each car is a treasure, a historical story preserving exceptionally profound value for the nation, the people, and international friendship.

Specifically, the Zit car, license plate HN 481, was a gift from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union to President Ho Chi Minh in 1954. With its high-strength steel construction and bulletproof glass, this type of specialized vehicle was produced in very limited quantities in the Soviet Union and was primarily intended for heads of state.

From 1965, during the fierce years of war, the car was always ready to serve President Ho Chi Minh and the Politburo. It was used to transport visiting heads of state to Vietnam, ensuring absolute safety. The car symbolizes the enduring friendship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union; it represents the valuable companionship and support from international friends for our nation's struggle for independence.

Next to the Zit car was the Pobeda car, license plate HN 158 - a gift from the Soviet government in 1955. In March 1957, the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs transferred this car to the Office of the President. The car served President Ho Chi Minh from then until 1969. The car had the advantages of being spacious, airy, having high ground clearance, and a powerful engine, making it suitable for long journeys, so it frequently served President Ho Chi Minh on his trips to localities far from Hanoi. The car became a familiar image of the simple leader, always standing by his people in all circumstances.

Delegates listen to a presentation about three cars that served President Ho Chi Minh from 1954 to 1969. Photo: Huu Hung

Finally, there was the Peugeot 404, license plate HNC 232 – a gift from Vietnamese expatriates in New Caledonia and Vanuatu (former names of the archipelagos in Oceania) to Uncle Ho in March 1964. In mid-1966, after a mild stroke, Uncle Ho's health deteriorated, so the car was used more frequently for his transportation within the city. This type of car had a low ground clearance, a smooth-running engine, and was convenient for getting in and out when his left leg was weak.

The vehicle embodies the sacred feelings of overseas Vietnamese for President Ho Chi Minh and their homeland. Throughout their years living far from their country, no matter where they were, our overseas compatriots remained steadfastly devoted to their homeland, responding to the call of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, contributing to the cause of national liberation.

These three cars alternately accompanied President Ho Chi Minh on nearly 2,000 trips to various localities, as well as for his daily work in Hanoi.

According to the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area at the Presidential Palace, the group of national treasures – the three automobiles – are not only means of transportation but also carry profound symbolic value regarding international friendship, solidarity, patriotism of overseas Vietnamese, and President Ho Chi Minh's efforts in fostering national unity and brotherhood. The three vehicles are vivid evidence of a historical period full of hardship, unwavering determination, and determination to achieve independence, freedom, and national reunification, while also conveying profound lessons about Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style.

For the first time in 55 years of preserving and promoting the heritage left by President Ho Chi Minh, the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site is honored to have an artifact recognized as a National Treasure. This is a great honor and source of pride, affirming the noble value of the more than half-century journey of generations of officials and workers at the Historical Site who have silently preserved and promoted the legacy left by Uncle Ho.

Here are some images recorded by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper :

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ba-chiec-oto-phuc-vu-chu-tich-ho-chi-minh-duoc-cong-nhan-bao-vat-quoc-gia-196250119140846563.htm