A space for telling stories about Uncle Ho.

In Ho Chi Minh City during those historic days of April, every street corner and every building exudes a new vitality. Not confined to thick books or solemn office sculptures, President Ho Chi Minh's ideology is vividly present through each Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space, permeating the urban rhythm and the way people think and live.

Students visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum - Ho Chi Minh City Branch.

Spreading throughout life

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space permeates the very fabric of Ho Chi Minh City's life. Modern metro stations, street corners, cathedrals, and schools are becoming bridges connecting President Ho's ideology with the hearts of the people.

At Thu Duc metro station (Thu Duc ward), many passengers unexpectedly paused in front of the images and documents about President Ho Chi Minh in the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space. Alongside the neatly arranged photos, documents, and books about President Ho Chi Minh, there are QR codes integrated with bilingual Vietnamese-English materials, allowing viewers to easily access more information. With just a tap on their phone, international tourists or anyone can access this valuable treasure trove of documents about the great life of President Ho Chi Minh.

A highlight of the current development of Ho Chi Minh Cultural Spaces is the flexible way many places have presented President Ho Chi Minh's lessons in the most accessible, simple, and understandable manner. At Marie Curie High School (Xuan Hoa Ward), learning from and following President Ho Chi Minh's example has become a creative journey where teachers and students not only read books but also meticulously use their hands and dedication to recreate models of Nha Rong Wharf, Pac Bo Cave, or Na Nua Hut. These models become vivid "visual teaching aids." Students can see firsthand President Ho Chi Minh's simple bamboo bed and narrow mat... and his lessons are thus absorbed into their thoughts, helping them to share and live more responsibly towards their friends and school.

Or, while strolling through Nguyen Tu Nghiem Park (Binh Trung Ward), people will see images and documents about President Ho Chi Minh arranged in a very familiar way amidst the ceramic and tile artifacts common in Southern Vietnam. Instead of dry information boards, 28 framed pictures recounting President Ho Chi Minh's life are interspersed within the shady green space. This arrangement makes the stories about him blend seamlessly into the traditional way of life and work of the local people.

The image of six-year-old Nguyen Sy Hung (residing in Long Truong ward) practicing spelling while curiously asking his father about the meaning of the photos of President Ho Chi Minh shows a continuity between generations. Stories about President Ho Chi Minh thus become as familiar as those told by grandparents and parents, naturally permeating the family's traditions.

Foreign tourists learn about President Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space located at Thu Duc station, on the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line (PHOTO: THU HUONG)

Touching the hearts and minds of the people.

The Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space in Ho Chi Minh City is increasingly spreading, no longer just a policy or resolution on paper, but has truly touched the hearts and minds of the people. At the Jamia Al Sa'Adah Mosque (Binh Tien Ward), after work, Ms. Mari Dam (a Cham ethnic minority) didn't rush to leave. She stopped by the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space in the corner of the mosque and chose the book "Uncle Ho with International Friends" to read the final pages. "The stories in the book are very relatable, easy to understand, and captivating. I feel I've gained more knowledge and understanding about Uncle Ho and the stories and values ​​in diplomacy ," she confided.

As people left after the prayer service, many approached the table and cabinet displaying numerous books and documents about President Ho Chi Minh, a space conveniently located near the church's main entrance. Some glanced at the titles, but most reached out and chose a book to read. The approach was not forceful or rigid, but gentle, like an invitation.

Mr. Mohamad Zen, Head of the Mosque's Management Board, shared that he often incorporates stories about President Ho Chi Minh's simple and frugal lifestyle into his Cham language lessons for children in the community. The children read their own language and gain a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese spirit and Ho Chi Minh's character, creating a natural connection between religion and life, between identity and shared values.

This influence is also evident at Buu Long Pagoda (Long Binh Ward). In the space of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial House located within the pagoda, his teachings on humility and altruism are gently broadcast through loudspeakers, gradually permeating the hearts of the Buddhists who come to worship.

It is even more significant that, over time, the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space has appeared in many residential areas, workers' dormitories, cafes, and in people's homes. As stories about him spread naturally, the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space is becoming a part of the lifestyle and way of thinking of the city's people. It is from these simple things that the source of values ​​is nurtured and spread far and wide.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has nearly 5,700 Ho Chi Minh Cultural Spaces, present in almost all sectors, from the political system and armed forces to religious institutions, businesses, schools, and residential communities. Of these, 832 spaces were newly established after the administrative unit merger on July 1, 2025.

THU HUONG - THAI PHUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khong-gian-ke-chuyen-bac-post850035.html