Presidential Palace Relic Site receives artifacts from Uncle Ho's loyal bodyguard

On August 19, the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace held a ceremony to receive two artifacts donated by Dr. Tran Viet Hoan, former Director of the Relic Site, who was also Uncle Ho's loyal bodyguard during his lifetime.

Dr. Tran Viet Hoan presents artifacts to the Presidential Palace Relic Site. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

This is a practical activity to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the 80th anniversary of the Cultural Sector's Traditional Day (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025).

Born in 1943 in Quynh Phu, Thai Binh (now Hung Yen province), Mr. Tran Viet Hoan was one of the few people who had the honor of directly serving and protecting President Ho Chi Minh in the last years of his life. From 1966 to 1969, he was a bodyguard at the Presidential Palace - where Uncle Ho lived and worked, especially present during the period when Uncle Ho fell ill and passed away. After that, he continued to work at the Office of the President and held the position of Director of the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace from 1988 to 2004.

During the years with Uncle Ho and working at the Relic Site, Mr. Tran Viet Hoan was deeply attached to each artifact and each relic here. For him, collecting original artifacts and relics is a silent but passionate effort, as a way to extend the source of memories of Uncle Ho - the beloved leader of the nation.

Ms. Le Thi Phuong, Director of the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, spoke. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The two artifacts donated by Mr. Hoan this time are a Hermes typewriter and a desk clock. These artifacts not only have material value but also carry sacred symbolic meaning. These artifacts, along with the Hermes Baby typewriter and the desk clock, are currently on display at Uncle Ho’s Stilt House – where Uncle Ho lived and worked during the last 11 years of his life (1958–1969).

The Hermes typewriter is currently displayed on the bottom shelf of the bookshelf in the second floor office of the Stilt House. During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh often used the typewriter to type articles, documents, and letters to groups and individuals with achievements in work, production, and combat, as well as to send congratulatory messages and condolences to the people and friends around the world .

Signing the minutes of handover of artifacts between the Relic Site and Dr. Tran Viet Hoan. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The machine was a close friend of President Ho Chi Minh. Even when he went on business trips, he brought the machine with him. When he needed to take a break on the road and draft a document, he took out the machine and put it on his leg to work... The machine was made of metal, square in design, gray in color, with the words "HER MES - MADE IN SWITZERLAND BY Paillard SA" - a vivid testament to a special historical period.

The table clock is currently displayed on the first floor of the Stilt House. The clock was purchased at the Ho Bo Supply Store in 1964, 12.5cm high, 10.5cm in diameter, with a round transparent glass face and a gold-plated iron case. Every day, the attendant wound the clock to keep it running on time, helping President Ho Chi Minh work scientifically and on time.

Presenting a letter of thanks from the Relic Site to Dr. Tran Viet Hoan. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The watch was always with him during his time living and working at the Presidential Palace, especially during meetings with the Politburo or when working with Central Party comrades. It was also a symbol of the orderly, scientific lifestyle that he maintained until the end of his life.

The reception of two precious artifacts from Dr. Tran Viet Hoan not only contributes to enriching the archives and artifacts at the Relic Site, but is also a profound testament to the steadfast loyalty of a person who had the honor of serving President Ho Chi Minh closely.

Director of the Presidential Palace Relic Site presents a model of Uncle Ho's Stilt House to Dr. Tran Viet Hoan. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

Speaking at the Reception Ceremony, Ms. Le Thi Phuong, Director of the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace affirmed: Uncle Ho has been gone for nearly 56 years, but the special relationship between the Presidential Palace Relic Site and generations of witnesses who served by his side is still continuing. The Relic Site is extremely respectful and grateful for the contributions of Dr. Tran Viet Hoan's family to the work of preserving and promoting the value of President Ho Chi Minh's heritage at the Presidential Palace.

According to Ms. Le Thi Phuong, the reception ceremony is not only a professional activity but also an emotional meeting, connecting the past with the present, adding a valuable memory of the great leader of the nation.

“The stories hidden in each artifact will enrich the source of valuable artifacts and documents at the Relic Site. Thereby, further promoting the value of the artifacts, meeting the needs of visiting, learning, studying, and educating the traditions of the people, especially the young generation, and at the same time, it is the best way to show gratitude and honor the hearts of the individuals and organizations who donated, contributing to bringing Ho Chi Minh's heritage to the public, enhancing the responsibility of the community in preserving and promoting the values of Vietnam's national cultural heritage", Ms. Le Thi Phuong emphasized.

The staff and workers of the Presidential Palace Relic Site took a souvenir photo with Dr. Tran Viet Hoan's family. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

Sharing at the ceremony, Dr. Tran Viet Hoan said that he and his grandson were lucky to collect two artifacts thanks to information about a store on the internet. He decided to donate the two artifacts to the Presidential Palace Relic Site, this is his way of expressing his feelings and responsibility to the agency - where he has been attached all his life, and also to realize his desire to contribute his small part to preserving and promoting the values of Uncle Ho's heritage, so that those values will last forever with the nation and the times.

TRANG ANH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/khu-di-tich-phu-chu-tich-tiep-nhan-hien-vat-tu-nguoi-can-ve-trung-thanh-cua-bac-post902041.html