Stories about the times I met Uncle Ho.

May 19th each year has become a particularly sacred and important day for the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Hung Yen in particular – commemorating the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, the Hero of Vietnam's National Liberation, and a World Cultural Figure. During these historic days of May, every Vietnamese person feels an indescribable surge of emotion as they turn their thoughts towards President Ho Chi Minh with respect, gratitude, and reverence.

Six opportunities to meet President Ho Chi Minh – a great honor for Hero of the People's Armed Forces Truong Thi Tam.

Time has passed, but in the mind of Hero of the People's Armed Forces Truong Thi Tam (92 years old), in Bac Chau village, Dong Ket commune (Khoai Chau district), memories of President Ho Chi Minh remain as vivid as if it were yesterday. As a loyal female guerrilla fighter, she had the honor of meeting President Ho Chi Minh six times, encounters filled with emotion that have become sacred "spiritual assets" throughout her life.

Ms. Truong Thi Tam, from Dong Ket commune (Khoai Chau district), looks at a photo taken with President Ho Chi Minh.

Joining the revolution in 1952, at the age of 19, Ms. Tam stood out in the "carrying poles to fight the French" movement, directly organizing and participating in many battles, large and small, with the guerrilla team, contributing to breaking many enemy sweeps. With her outstanding combat achievements, she was selected to participate in the 1955 military parade in Hanoi , which was also her first time meeting President Ho Chi Minh. At that time, Comrade Dam Quang Trung assigned her the task of representing the Hoang Ngan women's guerrilla group to give a speech. Ms. Tam was surprised and flustered. When she stepped onto the podium, she said, "Distinguished leaders," causing the entire audience to burst into laughter. Even more flustered, she only managed to say a few words before withdrawing.

“As soon as I went downstairs, General Vo Nguyen Giap called me to stop. I was worried when Uncle Ho came over, shook my hand, and kindly said, ‘My dear, we have defeated the French colonialists. From now on, when you speak, you must not say ‘I ask to withdraw,’ but ‘I ask to stop speaking,’” Mrs. Tam recounted, her eyes shining with emotion. That was the first lesson Uncle Ho taught her, gentle yet profound, leaving a lasting impression on her.

A year later, during the 1956 parade, Mrs. Tam, then the commander of the women's guerrilla unit, had another opportunity to meet Uncle Ho. During lunchtime, Uncle Ho asked, "How many bowls of rice did you eat, Mrs. Tam?" When she replied, "Three bowls," Uncle Ho smiled and said, "That's not right. You're a commander, you should eat twice as much!" That remark, showing Uncle Ho's thoughtful concern, stayed with Mrs. Tam forever.

The photograph of her with President Ho Chi Minh is cherished and carefully preserved by Mrs. Tam.

In 1966, at the National Party Building Conference, while taking a commemorative photo, President Ho Chi Minh instructed: "The women from the city should sit on the outside, so that the women from the countryside can sit near me." These simple words contained the President's recognition and respect for those working at the grassroots level, who dedicated themselves silently to their work. He also gave each delegate a commemorative photograph, a precious gift that she still cherishes to this day...

The sixth time she met Uncle Ho, Mrs. Tam was with a delegation participating in welcoming the Bulgarian government . Uncle Ho appeared, his beard and hair white, his forehead high, his eyes kind yet bright. "Uncle Ho was very simple, friendly, and approachable. I was moved because, despite being busy with countless tasks, he still remembered me, a small female guerrilla fighter," Mrs. Tam recalled.

Having met Uncle Ho many times and received his guidance, Mrs. Tam considered it a guiding principle for her life, struggles, and contributions. In 1968, when her husband volunteered to join the army and died on the Southern battlefield in 1969, she raised four young children alone. Overcoming adversity, she still excelled in all the tasks assigned by the Party: from Chairwoman of the People's Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Dong Kinh commune (now Dong Ket) to President of the Women's Union of Chau Giang district.

At 92 years old, Mrs. Tam is still sharp-minded and agile.

After retiring, Mrs. Tam enthusiastically participated in local movements, continuing to be a shining example for the younger generation to follow. Despite her advanced age, she maintained her revolutionary spirit, the demeanor of a soldier, and absolute loyalty to the Party and the people. She still recounts her warm, intimate, and sacred memories of Uncle Ho, using them to educate her children and grandchildren to emulate him.

Memories of the young boy from Hung Yen who stood vigil beside President Ho Chi Minh's coffin.

For Mr. Doan Manh Tranh, born in 1954 in Trieu Duong village, Hai Thang commune (Tien Lu district), the moment he saw President Ho Chi Minh was also the moment the President passed away forever. At that time, he was the youngest member of the Hung Yen province delegation that visited President Ho Chi Minh's tomb in 1969 and one of only nine teenagers nationwide who were allowed to visit the President and stand vigil beside his coffin.

Mr. Doan Manh Tranh, from Hai Thang commune (Tien Lu district), looks back at his mementos.

During the May days commemorating Uncle Ho, we returned to Trieu Duong village, a place once visited by President Ho Chi Minh, to meet the young man from years ago… In his reminiscences, the eyes of the old man, marked by the passage of time, welled up with emotion as he recalled the beloved father of the nation.

As a child, the stories his father told about the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the "Five Teachings of President Ho Chi Minh" that young Tranh read aloud in class deeply ingrained in his mind, fostering a sense of gratitude. Therefore, despite his young age, outside of school hours, he actively helped his father raise geese. To express his gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, he asked his parents to let him raise five geese as a gift for the President and registered with the youth group leaders. This act was published in the Central Newspaper and praised by President Ho Chi Minh; later, writer Le Van wrote the story "A Gift for President Ho Chi Minh" in the book "Small Deeds, Great Meaning," published in 1971.

The story of the boy Tranh raising geese as a gift for Uncle Ho is printed in the book "Small Deeds, Great Meaning," published in 1971.

According to Mr. Tranh's account: Around 3 a.m. on September 5, 1969, a car came to pick me up from my house. The head of the delegation was Comrade Le Quy Quynh, then Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. The delegation attending President Ho Chi Minh's funeral consisted of 24 members, and I was the youngest. When we arrived at Ba Dinh Square, the line of people seemed endless, all waiting to pay their respects to President Ho. After a day of waiting, the Hung Yen delegation was allowed to enter. Seeing President Ho, the suppressed grief burst forth in tears. The moment standing beside President Ho's coffin became an unforgettable memory in my life. From that moment, I secretly vowed to strive to study and train myself to be truly worthy of the five teachings of President Ho Chi Minh for young people and children.

In 1971, while a 10th-grade student at Tien Lu High School, Doan Manh Tranh volunteered to join the army, fighting alongside his comrades against the American imperialist invasion to defend the Fatherland. In 1973, due to injuries sustained in combat, he was discharged, returned to his hometown, and passed the entrance exam to the National Economics University. Afterward, he worked locally and held various positions. Whether in life-or-death situations facing the enemy or in peacetime, he always remembered President Ho Chi Minh's teachings, fulfilling his assigned duties well and always prioritizing the interests of the people. He also educated his children and grandchildren to study hard and follow President Ho Chi Minh's teachings to build a stronger and more prosperous Hung Yen province.

Even after retirement, Mr. Doan Manh Tranh continues to follow President Ho Chi Minh's example in his life.

Fifty-six years have passed since Uncle Ho's passing, but his legacy, ideology, and brilliant moral example live on in the nation's revolutionary cause. Remembering him, many people in Hung Yen visit museums and historical sites to see artifacts associated with his revolutionary life; they also return to his hometown to hear stories of his childhood… Grateful for the great contributions of President Ho Chi Minh, every Vietnamese citizen in general, and the people of Hung Yen in particular, pledge to study, work, and contribute to building a more prosperous and beautiful homeland and country…

Huong Giang - Duong Mien

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/chuyen-ve-nhung-lan-duoc-gap-bac-3181123.html