“Blue Lotus” - The bedside book of the young generation

Among the countless Vietnamese literary works about President Ho Chi Minh, “Blue Lotus” by writer Son Tung is a special book, a touching handbook about Uncle Ho’s childhood and youth. “Blue Lotus” is the first historical novel about Uncle Ho, published in 1982. Through the simple language, imbued with love of writer Son Tung, the work most fully recreates the journey of forming the ideal of saving the country of Nguyen Tat Thanh from the time he was a boy in Lang Sen village to the day he left Ben Nha Rong to find a way to save the country and liberate the nation.

Báo Cà Mau•19/05/2025

The novel "Blue Lotus" about Uncle Ho made an impression on many generations of children and teenagers.

“Blue Lotus” opens up in the reader’s mind the space of the Vietnamese countryside at the end of the 19th century, where the boy Nguyen Sinh Cung (Uncle Ho’s birth name) was born in the warm embrace of his family and his village. Each page of the book gently leads the reader through Uncle Ho’s simple childhood, from the care and tenderness of his mother (Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan) to the strictness and love of his father (Mr. Pho Bang Nguyen Sinh Sac), along with the hometown environment rich in patriotic and studious traditions. In that atmosphere, Nguyen Sinh Cung’s qualities were nurtured and grew like a young lotus bud, promising to bloom into a fragrant flower one day.

The best thing about “Blue Lotus” is that it does not deify the character of Uncle Ho, nor does it build him up as a distant image. Through Son Tung’s pen, the young Nguyen Tat Thanh appears very ordinary: a poor student who loves to study, a dutiful son, a young man with many concerns about the fate of the country. When standing in front of Nha Rong - Saigon port, preparing to board the ship “Amiral Latouche Tréville”, the young man held back his heart, thinking to himself that this was a departure that not only brought with it the nostalgia for his family and homeland, but also a great aspiration: to liberate the nation from slavery. It is that closeness that makes the image of Uncle Ho’s youth enter the hearts of readers very naturally and deeply.

“Blue Lotus” has become the bedside book of many generations of young people, including children in Ca Mau . Dinh Ngoc Khai Nhi, Class 5A4, Cai Nuoc 1 Primary School, Cai Nuoc District, shared: “I have read many works about Uncle Ho, but “Blue Lotus” is the novel that moved me the most. It not only reminds me of Uncle Ho’s childhood in emotions, but also vividly recreates the entire historical atmosphere, family, countryside... of the time when he lived, grew up, and worked. From there, it explains why the poor boy in Lang Sen had such a great will to save the country. During the activities of the Youth Union and Association, talking about the details in “Blue Lotus”, many students expressed their love for the author’s simple but truthful writing style, descriptions... which help students visualize Uncle Ho’s portrait more closely”.

Trinh Nha Uyen, Class 8B, Hang Vinh Secondary School, Nam Can District, shared her feelings after reading the work: “The most touching highlight of “Blue Lotus” is the period when young Nguyen Tat Thanh decided to leave his family and hometown to find a way to save the country. The scene of separation between father and son was described by writer Son Tung with all the serenity and sacredness. The father’s feelings when seeing off his son and also the passion of the entire generation of patriotic Confucian scholars made everyone extremely admire.”

The display of books about President Ho Chi Minh was neatly arranged by children during the 2025 Book and Reading Culture Day held in Ca Mau.

What makes “Blue Lotus” special is its simple yet deeply moving narrative. The writer does not idealize or embellish, but lets Uncle Ho’s great personality shine through each small gesture and silent choice. The personality of the great man in Uncle Ho, as Son Tung wants to convey, lies in the most ordinary things, in humility, sincerity and love.

Over the years, “Blue Lotus” still retains its value. Although history has passed, each time I read it, I still feel nostalgic and emotional. Many people, when reading “Blue Lotus”, exclaimed that this is not only a novel but also a great mirror for many generations of young Vietnamese to follow, like a gentle and determined reminder: If you want to love your country, start by learning to be a good person; if you want to do great things, you must keep your soul pure like a blue lotus in the dark mud./.

Lam Khanh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/-bup-sen-xanh-sach-goi-dau-cua-the-he-mang-non-a39051.html