Close-up of 3 cars that served President Ho Chi Minh in nearly 2,000 trips to the grassroots

Three cars used to serve President Ho Chi Minh from 1954 to 1969 in nearly 2,000 trips have just been recognized as National Treasures.

Close-up of 3 cars that served President Ho Chi Minh in nearly 2,000 trips to the grassroots

Monday, January 20, 2025 08:46 AM (GMT+7)

Three cars used to serve President Ho Chi Minh from 1954 to 1969 in nearly 2,000 trips have just been recognized as National Treasures.

Within the framework of the Homeland Spring Program 2025, on January 19, at the Presidential Palace, the Ceremony to Announce the Prime Minister 's Decision to Recognize National Treasures took place: 3 cars used to serve President Ho Chi Minh from 1954 to 1969.

Attending the ceremony were Deputy Head of the Office of the President Pham Thanh Ha; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese; representatives of leaders and former leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Uncle Ho Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, along with a number of ministries, businesses... and a large number of overseas Vietnamese attending the Homeland Spring Program 2025.

In the system of relics, documents, and artifacts that the Relic Site is currently preserving and promoting, there are three cars that served President Ho Chi Minh from 1954-1969, which have just been recognized by the Prime Minister as National Treasures (13th batch, 2024). Each car is a treasure, a historical story that holds a particularly profound value for the nation, 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. Designed with high-strength steel and bulletproof glass, this specialized car was produced in very limited quantities in the Soviet Union and was mainly reserved for heads of state.

Since 1965, during the fierce war years, the car was always ready to serve Uncle Ho and the Politburo. The car was used to pick up heads of state visiting Vietnam to ensure absolute safety.

The car symbolizes the strong friendship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union; a manifestation of the valuable companionship and support from international friends for our nation's struggle for independence.

Next to the Zit car is the Pobeda car, license plate HN 158, a gift from the Soviet Government in 1955. In March 1957, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Protocol Department transferred this car to the Presidential Palace Office. The car served Uncle Ho from then until 1969. The car had the advantage of being spacious, airy, high chassis, strong engine, suitable for long distances, so it often served Uncle Ho on business trips to localities far from Hanoi. The car has become a familiar image of the simple leader, always standing side by side with his compatriots in all circumstances.

Finally, the Peugeot 404, license plate HNC 232, was a gift from Vietnamese expatriates in New Caledonia and Vanuatu (formerly known as the archipelagos in Oceania) to Uncle Ho in March 1964. In mid-1966, after a minor stroke, Uncle Ho's health declined, so the car was used to help him travel around the city more. This type of car has a low chassis, a smooth engine, and is convenient to get on and off when his left leg is weak. The car contains the sacred feelings of those living far away from home for Uncle Ho and his homeland. During the years living far away from the Fatherland, no matter where they are, our expatriates still wholeheartedly turn to their homeland, responding to the call of the Party and Uncle Ho, contributing to the cause of national liberation.

Three cars took turns accompanying President Ho Chi Minh on nearly 2,000 trips to many localities as well as daily work in Hanoi.

Pham Hung

Source: https://danviet.vn/can-canh-3-xe-oto-tung-phuc-vu-chu-cich-ho-chi-minh-trong-gan-2000-chuyen-di-co-so-20250119124322734.htm