Meeting to celebrate the 137th birthday of President Ton Duc Thang

VHO - Ho Chi Minh City held a meeting to celebrate the 137th birthday of President Ton Duc Thang, pay tribute to his life and revolutionary career, and open the exhibition "25 years of Ton Duc Thang Award".

Delegates offer incense to commemorate President Ton Duc Thang

On the morning of August 20, Ton Duc Thang Museum (HCMC) solemnly held a meeting to celebrate the 137th birthday of President Ton Duc Thang (August 20, 1888 - August 20, 2025).

This is an annual activity to pay tribute to Uncle Ton - a staunch communist, exemplary leader, and loyal soldier of the international communist and workers' movement.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Pham Thanh Nam, Director of Ton Duc Thang Museum, expressed his emotions and read a speech reviewing the life and career of President Ton Duc Thang - an outstanding son of his hometown An Giang, a close comrade of President Ho Chi Minh .

His whole life was associated with communist ideals, national independence, national unification and building socialism.

Born into a middle-class farming family in Cu Lao Ong Ho (now My Hoa Hung commune, An Giang province), from a young age, Uncle Ton nurtured the ideal of patriotism and love for the people.

At the age of 18, while working at the Ba Son Factory, he founded the Secret Union – the first union organization of the Vietnamese working class. From then on, he became one of the pioneers of the workers' movement, the communist movement and the national liberation movement.

In any position, from worker to President , Uncle Ton always upheld revolutionary moral qualities: simple, honest, upright; devoted to the country and the people. He was an example of action, fighting for national independence and victory of the revolution.

Mr. Pham Thanh Nam, Director of Ton Duc Thang Museum, spoke at the meeting.

Mr. Pham Thanh Nam emphasized: “Celebrating Uncle Ho's birthday is an opportunity for us to remember and express our deep gratitude, continue to study and practice following Uncle Ton's example; strengthen the education of revolutionary ideals for cadres, party members, civil servants and laborers, especially the young generation.

Besides, it fosters pride and confidence in the leadership of the Party and State in the cause of innovation, construction and protection of the Fatherland".

President Ton Duc Thang was a pioneer of the workers' movement and the national liberation movement in Vietnam, a close comrade in arms of the great President Ho Chi Minh.

His life of revolutionary activities is a shining example of loyalty, devotion, bravery, indomitability, and upholding revolutionary ethics: diligence, thrift, integrity, modesty, and simplicity.

Mr. Pham Thanh Nam, on behalf of Ton Duc Thang Museum, received the artifacts donated by Uncle Ton's family and gave a thank you letter to the family representative.

Mr. Vien Hong Quang presented a symbolic plaque of 24 precious documentary films about Uncle Ton's revolutionary activities from 1964 to 1976 to the Museum's representative.

At the meeting, Ton Duc Thang Museum received many valuable artifacts and documents donated by President Ton Duc Thang's family.

These include household items that Uncle Ton and his wife used to live at 35 Tran Phu (Hanoi) since 1959; photos recording his activities from 1968 to 1979; and many diplomatic gifts presented by the ambassadors of the Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.

In particular, Mr. Vien Hong Quang presented 24 valuable documentaries about Uncle Ton's revolutionary activities from 1964 to 1976.

Cultural program to celebrate Uncle Ton's birthday

Mr. Pham Thanh Nam added that on July 30, 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued Decision No. 382/QD-UBND approving the investment policy for the project to restore and embellish the national historical relic of President Ton Duc Thang Memorial Site in the Ba Son area.

This is a practical activity to preserve and promote the value of relics associated with the life and career of President Ton Duc Thang, while educating traditions and nurturing national pride for present and future generations.

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the exhibition.

The project belongs to Group B, with a total investment of more than 250 billion VND from the City budget, implemented by the Center for Conservation and Promotion of Historical and Cultural Relics of Ho Chi Minh City, expected to be implemented in the period of 2026-2028.

This restoration and embellishment will contribute to completing the picture of heritage conservation associated with Uncle Ton, closely connecting the system of relics and museums in Ho Chi Minh City.

On this occasion, Ton Duc Thang Museum opened a special exhibition "25 years of Ton Duc Thang Award" with nearly 400 documents and artifacts introducing outstanding individuals who have won the award.

Exhibition area on the ground floor of the Museum

This award honors workers, engineers, and laborers with many initiatives, technical innovations, and active contributions to the emulation movement for excellent workers, creative workers, and training of young workers.

For the team of workers, civil servants and laborers in Ho Chi Minh City, the award is a worthy recognition of their efforts and dedication; at the same time, it is a great source of encouragement, encouraging creativity, overcoming difficulties and responsibility in work.

Young people visit and check-in Ton Duc Thang Museum on Uncle Ho's birthday

The award contributes to spreading the image of Ho Chi Minh City workers as dynamic, intelligent, and dedicated - true to the ideals and labor-loving spirit of President Ton Duc Thang, a typical worker of the Vietnamese working class.

The thematic exhibition “25 years of Ton Duc Thang Award” takes place at Ton Duc Thang Museum from August 20 to December 31, 2025.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/hop-mat-ky-niem-137-nam-ngay-sinh-chu-tich-ton-duc-thang-162594.html