Two National Treasures depicting the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh.

The image of President Ho Chi Minh has always been a great source of inspiration for Vietnamese revolutionary art. Through various materials and historical periods, artists have depicted the leader's portrait not only through his physical appearance but also through the spiritual depth of the era.

Báo Quân đội Nhân dân•18/05/2026

Notable among the works are the sculpture "Portrait of President Ho Chi Minh " by sculptor Nguyen Thi Kim and the lacquer painting "Uncle Ho in the Viet Bac War Zone" by renowned painter Duong Bich Lien, both of which have been recognized as National Treasures.

The statue "Portrait of President Ho Chi Minh," created by sculptor Nguyen Thi Kim in 1946, is one of the earliest sculptures depicting the President. In preparation for the National Day art exhibition, Nguyen Thi Kim and other artists were sent to the Presidential Palace in Northern Vietnam to directly observe and create the sculpture. For her, it was an experience that was both moving and stressful, facing the beloved leader. For over 20 days, every morning, she quietly observed every facial expression and gesture of the President to sculpt the statue. Made of bronze, the work depicts the President reading a book, his head slightly bowed, his face pensive. The simple yet refined style clearly expresses the calm, simple demeanor and the thoughts of the leader of the country in the early days of building independence and freedom. This is not only the first sculpture of President Ho Chi Minh but also a valuable original document, laying the foundation for the image of the President in revolutionary art.

Beyond its artistic value, the statue is also associated with a touching story of preservation. During the nationwide resistance war at the end of 1946, the artist's family secretly buried the artwork under the family's ancestral altar to protect it from enemy destruction. Eight years later, when peace was restored in Hanoi , the statue was unearthed, still intact, symbolizing the artist's unwavering faith in the revolution. Because of these values, the statue was recognized as a National Treasure in 2023. Currently, it is housed at the National Museum of History.

Lacquer painting "Uncle Ho in the Viet Bac War Zone" by renowned artist Duong Bich Lien. Photo: LAN ANH

More than three decades later, the image of President Ho Chi Minh continues to be depicted by artists in the mountainous landscape of Viet Bac, notably the lacquer painting "President Ho Chi Minh in the Viet Bac War Zone" by renowned artist Duong Bich Lien, created in 1980. The work was created from the artist's observations and sketches during his trip to Viet Bac in 1952, when he had the opportunity to live and work near President Ho Chi Minh.

In the artwork, President Ho Chi Minh is depicted with a relaxed demeanor, one hand holding the reins, as if calming the horse before crossing a rushing stream. Duong Bich Lien chose a highly generalized style, using lacquer with a restrained color palette, mainly green and yellow, but subtly transforming it to create multiple layers of space. Large blocks of color, transitioning rhythmically, evoke the feeling of vast mountains and forests, both tranquil and subtly dynamic, echoing the sounds of wind and water. Amidst this scene, the image of President Ho Chi Minh and the horse is condensed into a solid, sturdy mass, placed slightly to one side, creating a visual focal point. The contrast between the vast nature and the small figure further highlights the calm and proactive demeanor of the President in the face of challenges. The artwork was recognized as a National Treasure in 2017 and is currently on display at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

Two works, two historical periods, two different styles of expression, yet they meet at the core value of honoring the image of President Ho Chi Minh with authenticity and emotion. From the workspace in the early days of independence to the mountains and forests of Viet Bac during the resistance war, the image of him emerges not only as a leader but also as a relatable human being, becoming an eternal symbol in the flow of Vietnamese art.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/hai-bao-vat-quoc-gia-khac-hoa-chan-dung-bac-ho-1040185