"Uncle Ho, we've come to visit you!"

These are the words that Ms. Tran Tri Tien (daughter of General Tran Canh - a Chinese military advisor) wrote in her guestbook after visiting President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and watching the documentary "The Last Hours of President Ho Chi Minh's Life" on May 6th during her visit to Vietnam.

Mrs. Tran Tri Tien arrived in Vietnam during the bright, sunny days of May. She shared with us stories of her encounters with President Ho Chi Minh.

“President Ho Chi Minh , my father – General Tran Canh, and General Vo Nguyen Giap were all comrades-in-arms, close friends for a very long time. I remember the first time I met Uncle Ho was during his visit to China (in 1955), when I was about 5 years old. His long beard surprised me a little, so I hid behind my older brother. He called me over, shook my hand, touched my hair, and gave me candy. That kindness made me no longer shy, but instead filled me with great respect and love for Uncle Ho.”

In the years that followed, President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese delegation frequently visited China. He loved children, so every time he came, we would gather around him. We were all children of generals and important leaders in the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army. Personally, I had the opportunity to meet and interact with him at least three times in Beijing, China.

At that time, to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday, we didn't sing birthday songs, but instead sang songs about Vietnamese-Chinese friendship, such as " Liberating the South ," " Vietnam - China ," etc.

Ms. Tran Tri Tien (second girl from the right, first row) pictured with President Ho Chi Minh.

Later, whenever a Chinese delegation visited Vietnam, Uncle Ho would send us gifts, usually Vietnamese fruits such as mangoes, bananas, and lychees… Tropical fruits in Vietnam are very fragrant and very sweet. Even now, I still remember the taste of those days.

"At that time, I had a friend named Li Lun. Everyone jokingly called him 'Little Japan.' Li Lun didn't like the name and was very upset. Uncle Ho then thought of a way to help Li Lun, suggesting he write a notice and post it on his door stating that his name wasn't 'Little Japan'... Li Lun listened and did as instructed, but in the end, he was still teased with the name 'Little Japan.' I tell this story to show how much Uncle Ho loved children and cared about even the smallest things. He was truly admirable."

Mrs. Tran Tri Tien recalled that President Ho Chi Minh said: "After Vietnam achieves independence and reunification, we will definitely welcome you children to Vietnam to visit."

Ms. Tran Tri Tien wrote in the guestbook after visiting the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Memorial Site.

"Now that I've arrived, I've not only seen an independent and unified Vietnam, but also a prosperous and happy Vietnam since the reforms. I feel so happy," she said, visibly moved.

To this day, Ms. Tran Tri Tien still remembers how to say "Long live Uncle Ho" in Vietnamese. Tears welled up in her eyes as she wrote in her guestbook after visiting the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site: "Uncle Ho, we have come to visit you! May the friendship between Vietnam and China remain ever green and enduring for generations to come."