Remember his teachings.

More than half a century has passed since President Ho Chi Minh's passing, but his words of encouragement, praise, and advice during their meeting 57 years ago remain vivid in the memory of Mrs. Le Thi Hien in Hoa Binh residential area, Van Yen ward ( Ha Tinh city).

Every May, Mrs. Le Thi Hien's house in the small alley welcomes many visitors. Although she is now 86 years old and no longer remembers many milestones in her life, the story of her only encounter with President Ho Chi Minh remains deeply etched in her memory. Each time she recounts it to young people and her grandchildren, her recollections are still filled with the atmosphere of her youth and the pride of having met him.

Every year on the anniversary of his birth, Mrs. Hien tells her children and grandchildren the story of the time she met him.

“In June 1966, as the Deputy Head of the Ly Tu Trong Cooperative (Thach Yen commune, Thach Ha district, now Van Yen ward, Ha Tinh city) – a leading cooperative in the province at that time – I had the opportunity to accompany a delegation from Ha Tinh to the North to study production models in Thai Binh, and then to visit Hanoi . Unexpectedly, during this trip, we had the great honor of meeting President Ho Chi Minh; I was 29 years old at the time,” Mrs. Hien began her story.

That day, the Ha Tinh delegation had 41 people, but only 4 women. After instructing his secretary to allocate an hour for the Ha Tinh delegation, Uncle Ho began to inquire about each person. When it was my turn, he asked: "What do you do, and where are you from?" After hearing my answer, he said: "The girls of Ha Tinh are very capable, very intelligent, and courageous. But you must strive to improve yourselves. If you want men to respect you, you must be able to do whatever work is assigned to you." Then he instructed me: "As a female cadre in charge of the cooperative, you must take care of women's liberation activities, build kindergartens, and create conditions for women to participate in labor and production so that men can participate in the battlefield…"

For an hour, besides inquiring about the situation in Ha Tinh and the members of the delegation, Uncle Ho also took the time to talk with us. But meeting him, we were all so moved that we were speechless; the whole delegation only asked to take one commemorative photo with him.

Fifty-seven years have passed, but the story of her only encounter with President Ho Chi Minh remains a deeply etched memory in Mrs. Hien's heart.

Upon returning from her work trip, Ms. Hien reported to the Party Committee and the people of the commune about the instructions given by President Ho Chi Minh. Determined to implement those teachings, the construction of a centralized kindergarten received great attention and support from the local government and the people. As a result, Thach Yen became the first commune to consolidate the kindergarten groups in the villages and build a spacious kindergarten. This was also one of the kindergartens that achieved the title of advanced kindergarten in the entire province at that time.

Ms. Hien (second from the left of President Ho Chi Minh) and officials from the Ha Tinh Youth Union pose for a commemorative photo with President Ho Chi Minh.

Bearing in mind his teachings, throughout her years of dedication to her homeland, despite changing jobs and holding various positions—Deputy Head of the Cooperative, Head of the Ly Tu Trong Cooperative, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Deputy Chairperson of the commune, Chairperson of the Women's Association of Thach Yen commune—Ms. Hien always reminded herself: as a cadre, she must set an example, be dedicated to her work, and serve the common good.

Therefore, she constantly strives to learn and improve her skills; she initiates labor and production emulation movements in the locality such as: mobilizing women to participate in social work, developing the youth movement for cultivating duckweed, women working in irrigation, improving field embankments, and participating in local mediation activities to contribute to building happy families together with women's associations at all levels…

Along with remembering Uncle Ho's advice, Mrs. Hien also carefully cherishes and keeps the commemorative photograph.

Passionate and dedicated to her work, she didn't retire from social work until she was 70 years old, but she remained a trusted companion and advisor for all local movements. This was because she always remembered: President Ho Chi Minh's life was also an example of lifelong, tireless work.

Having been involved in local movements since the age of 20, Ms. Hien has always been a shining example, repeatedly honored at advanced exemplary conferences at the district, provincial, and national levels, and awarded the Ho Chi Minh Badge for her work in women's liberation.

The memory of her meeting with Uncle Ho, and his kind words of advice, remains deeply etched in her mind. Even today, through her stories, the portrait of the President is even more vividly portrayed – a perfect example of morality and style, serving as a constant reminder for future generations to learn from him and contribute to building a more prosperous and beautiful homeland.

Anh Thu

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nui-hong-song-la/khac-ghi-loi-day-cua-nguoi/248694.htm