HO CHI MINH – A SYMBOL OF INDEPENDENCE, PEACE, AND NATIONAL ASPIRATION

May has always held a special meaning in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. When the flamboyant trees begin to blaze with red and the scent of lotus flowers wafts in the early summer breeze, millions of Vietnamese hearts are filled with nostalgia for May 19, 1890 – the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, [...]

May has always held a special meaning in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. As the flamboyant trees begin to blaze with red and the scent of lotus flowers wafts in the early summer breeze, millions of Vietnamese hearts are filled with nostalgia for May 19, 1890 – the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, the brilliant leader, national liberation hero, and world cultural figure. This is not only a milestone marking the birth of a great man, but also an occasion for the entire nation to remember his life, career, and immense contributions to national history and the progress of humanity.

Homeland and family – the foundation for character formation.

President Ho Chi Minh, whose birth name was Nguyen Sinh Cung, was born on May 19, 1890, in Hoang Tru village, his maternal hometown in Kim Lien commune, Nam Dan district, Nghe An province – a land rich in patriotic and studious traditions. He grew up in a family of patriotic Confucian scholars, full of compassion and a spirit of overcoming difficulties.

Photo: Portrait of President Ho Chi Minh in his youth (Source: Internet)

His father was Nguyen Sinh Sac, a scholar who passed the imperial examinations and was renowned for his integrity, honesty, and deep compassion for the people. Instead of pursuing a career in government for wealth and prestige, he always sided with the poor and opposed the injustices of the contemporary feudal regime. His father's progressive thinking and patriotism profoundly influenced Ho Chi Minh's later life and character.

His mother was Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan – a quintessential Vietnamese woman known for her self-sacrifice, diligence, and virtue. Despite facing many hardships, she always cared for her family, raising her children with love and instilling fine traditional moral values. The image of this hardworking mother from the impoverished Nghe An province has become a sacred part of President Ho Chi Minh's life.

His family and homeland not only nurtured his childhood but also contributed to shaping his great character: compassionate, simple, resilient, and always deeply concerned about the fate of the nation.

The journey to find a way to save the country – a turning point in the nation's history.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Vietnam was under the yoke of French colonial rule. Patriotic movements were strong but all failed, leaving the nation facing a profound crisis regarding the path to national salvation. In this context, on June 5, 1911, the young man Nguyen Tat Thanh left Nha Rong Wharf, beginning his journey to find a path to national liberation.

During nearly thirty years of traveling across many countries and continents, he both worked to earn a living and studied, researched, and learned about revolutions around the world. From this rich practical experience, Ho Chi Minh realized that in order to save the country and liberate the nation, Vietnam needed to follow the path of the proletarian revolution.

Not only did he embrace Marxism-Leninism, but he also creatively applied it to the specific circumstances of Vietnam, placing the task of national liberation at the forefront. This was a historically significant turning point, opening the correct path to national salvation for the Vietnamese revolution.

Great contributions to the Vietnamese nation.

In modern Vietnamese history, President Ho Chi Minh made exceptionally great contributions to the struggle for national independence and the building of the country.

He was the founder and mentor of the Communist Party of Vietnam, laying the foundation for the unified leadership of the Vietnamese revolution. Under his leadership, the August Revolution of 1945 succeeded, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam – the first workers' and peasants' state in Southeast Asia.

On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, solemnly proclaiming to the world the freedom and independence of the Vietnamese nation. That moment not only opened a new era for the country but also became an immortal symbol of the aspiration for peace and freedom.

Throughout the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism, Ho Chi Minh's ideology and policies continued to be the guiding banner for the entire nation. He always emphasized the strength of national unity, the spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement, and faith in the people.

Ho Chi Minh was not only a brilliant political leader, but also a great cultural figure. He left behind a profound system of thought on ethics, education, culture, and humanity. His views on a simple, frugal, honest, and upright lifestyle, loving humanity, and serving the people remain relevant today.

A role model of high moral character and integrity.

What earned President Ho Chi Minh the special respect of the Vietnamese people and international friends was not only his leadership talent but also his noble character and extremely simple lifestyle.

Despite holding the position of head of state, he lived in a small stilt house within the Presidential Palace grounds, eating simple meals, wearing faded khaki clothes, and simple rubber sandals—an image that became familiar and touching in the hearts of the people.

Photo: Uncle Ho and the children (Source: Internet)

Throughout his life, Ho Chi Minh was a symbol of sacrifice for the people and the nation. He always placed the interests of the people above all else and showed special love for children, laborers, and those facing hardship in society.

Because of these noble values, in 1987, UNESCO honored Ho Chi Minh as "National Liberation Hero and Outstanding Cultural Figure of Vietnam," recognizing his immense contributions to the struggle for peace, national independence, and social progress worldwide.

The significance of May 19th in today's era.

Commemorating President Ho Chi Minh's birthday is not only an occasion to remember the great leader of the nation, but also an opportunity for every Vietnamese person to reflect on their responsibility to the country.

In the context of current integration and development, Ho Chi Minh's thought and ethics still hold profound contemporary significance. This includes patriotism intertwined with the aspiration for national development; a sense of honesty, responsibility, and compassion; and a spirit of continuous learning to contribute to the community and society. These are crucial spiritual foundations that contribute to nurturing the ideals, sense of responsibility, and aspirations for contribution among generations of Vietnamese people.

For the younger generation, President Ho Chi Minh's life is a great lesson about ideals, perseverance in overcoming difficulties, and the aspiration to serve the Fatherland. From a young man with intense patriotism, he became a great symbol of the Vietnamese nation in the 20th century.

The Southern Vietnam Women's Museum celebrates the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth (May 19, 1890 – May 19, 2026).

More than a century has passed since the birth of President Ho Chi Minh, but his name and legacy live on in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. His life is an epic of patriotism, self-sacrifice, and the aspiration for human liberation.

May not only commemorates the birthday of a leader, but also reminds every Vietnamese person of their responsibility to preserve independence, promote national traditions, and continue the fine values ​​that President Ho Chi Minh left for future generations.

Ho Chi Minh City, May 14, 2026

Duong Kim Ngoc

Department of Communications, Education, and International Relations

 

References:

1. From Sen Village to Nha Rong Wharf, Trinh Quang Phu (2009), National Political Publishing House Truth
2. Green Lotus Bud, Son Tung (1982), Kim Dong Publishing House.

Source: https://baotangphunu.com/ho-chi-minh-bieu-tuong-cua-doc-lap-hoa-binh-va-khat-vong-dan-toc/