Kim Lien exudes the fragrant scent of lotus flowers.

As May arrives, Kim Lien (Nam Dan, Nghe An province ), President Ho Chi Minh's hometown, becomes more vibrant than ever. Amidst the throngs of pilgrims returning to his birthplace today, the fragrance of lotus flowers permeates and lingers among thousands of radiant faces and hearts filled with emotion of visitors from near and far.

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We arrived at Hoang Tru village (Kim Lien, Nam Dan) on a May morning, as the first rays of sunlight fell upon the golden rice fields, glistening with dew. Uncle Ho's maternal hometown appeared as a bright picture of prosperity and well-being. Along the lush green new rural roads were lotus ponds beginning to bloom, their fragrance mingling with the footsteps of people returning to their roots.

Uncle Ho's home is in his maternal hometown of Hoang Tru, where he was born and spent his childhood years with his hardworking mother, Hoang Thi Loan.

Returning to the place where the beloved leader of the nation was born and spent his peaceful childhood with his hardworking mother, Hoang Thi Loan, and his devoted father, Nguyen Sinh Sac, each visitor carries with them their own stories. But above all, it is a feeling of reverence and fond remembrance for the Father of the Nation.

Although 103 years old this year, Mr. Bui Manh Suc (a tourist from Thai Binh province ) is visiting President Ho Chi Minh's birthplace for the first time. Amidst the crowd entering the garden of President Ho Chi Minh's maternal home in Hoang Tru village, Mr. Suc paused to look at the surroundings, his eyes welling up with emotion: "President Ho Chi Minh! After so many years of longing, I have finally returned to this place. It truly fulfills my yearning."

Ms. Vân, one of Mr. Sức's children, said: "My father was a farmer who went through many ups and downs of the country. From the days when the country was suffering and enslaved, to the independence, freedom, peace , and development we have today thanks to the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. From the bottom of his heart, he always taught us about our boundless love and gratitude for President Ho Chi Minh. We had longed to do this for a long time, but because of the long distance, we only now have the opportunity to bring our father to visit President Ho Chi Minh's hometown."

The students listened attentively to the explanation about Uncle Ho's childhood in his maternal hometown of Hoang Tru.

The story of Mr. Tran Manh Suc is just one of countless stories we encountered among the crowds returning to Kim Lien today. As May arrives, each lotus blooming season stirs a profound sense of emotion. In their reverence and love for President Ho Chi Minh, everyone longs to return here to offer him their boundless gratitude.

Ms. Ly Thi Pham (a former teacher in Lang Son) expressed: “Every time I return to Kim Lien, I feel like I'm returning to my roots. In the midst of the emotional memories and affection for Him, we also feel proud, as if we are being encouraged and empowered…”

Students visit the artifacts in Uncle Ho's house in his maternal hometown of Hoang Tru - Kim Lien.

If Hoang Tru, his mother's hometown, was where President Ho Chi Minh was born and lived until the age of six with his mother before moving to Hue with his father, then Lang Sen, his paternal hometown, was where he spent his childhood years from 11 to 16. This was the period when he returned to his hometown with his father after his mother passed away.

Along with Hoang Tru, Sen village holds the imprint of childhood and is also the place that nurtured the will and aspirations of the young Nguyen Sinh Cung, later the young Nguyen Tat Thanh, on his journey to find a way to save the nation from suffering and slavery.

A panoramic view of the garden and house of Mr. Nguyen Sinh Sac, the father of President Ho Chi Minh (photo 1). Visitors are moved to hear stories about President Ho Chi Minh's childhood in his ancestral village of Sen (photo 2). The lotus pond in front of Mr. Nguyen Sinh Sac's house, a place associated with many childhood memories of President Ho Chi Minh (photo 3). Pilgrims flocking to Kim Lien on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh's 133rd birthday (photo 4).

About 3 km from Hoang Tru, the village of Sen, President Ho Chi Minh's ancestral home, also bustles with returning footsteps on a May afternoon. Although more than 100 years have passed, the path to President Ho Chi Minh's house remains preserved, retaining its familiar and endearing features. In the minds of visitors near and far, the image of President Ho Chi Minh still lingers somewhere beside the lotus pond, the well, and the alleyways of the neighbors. And in the simple, rustic house of Mr. Nguyen Sinh Sac, it seems as if, years ago, the young Nguyen Sinh Cung was brewing tea and listening to his father and other scholars discuss current affairs…

All the scenery of Sen Village evokes memories of President Ho Chi Minh's childhood filled with love for his homeland, stirring intense emotions in the hearts of every visitor. Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (a visitor from Hanoi) could not hide her profound reverence and admiration. She sang the song "Uncle Ho - A Vast Love" by the late composer Thuan Yen to express her feelings.

Ms. Thuy shared: “Coming here, I feel even more strongly the greatness of President Ho Chi Minh's soul and character. His profound love for the Vietnamese people in particular and humanity in general, along with his life of dedication, moves me deeply. The light from his character and morality has been and continues to guide me and the Vietnamese people in striving to build a more prosperous and beautiful homeland.”

During the pilgrimage to the historical roots, thousands of visitors returned from all over the country, representing all ages and backgrounds. Nguyen Nhat Tan (a student at the National Economics University - Hanoi, originally from Ha Tinh City) expressed: “As a young Party member and a student, I feel I need to strive harder in my studies and research to be worthy of the contributions of Uncle Ho and the previous generations who worked so hard to build this foundation. Learning from and following Uncle Ho's example is the guiding principle that helps me achieve my goals in my studies and future.”

Video: Nguyen Nhat Tan ( from Ha Tinh province) - a student at the National Economics University in Hanoi - shares his feelings about visiting the Kim Lien Historical Site.

Bidding farewell to Kim Lien on a bright summer afternoon, the image captured by a drone in the sky reveals a picture of President Ho Chi Minh's homeland like a painted masterpiece. Rising from the simple thatched roofs and green bamboo groves is a scene of a prosperous village surrounded by golden rice paddies, and in the distance, the majestic Chung Son mountain and the verdant Dai Hue mountain stand tall against the vast open sky. Like his love and hopes, Vietnam is steadily progressing, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's leading nations.

A panoramic view of Hoang Tru village - President Ho Chi Minh's maternal hometown.

And in the cool breeze of a serene May afternoon, the lyrics of the late composer Thuan Yen seemed to echo throughout the land: “Uncle Ho – He is the most profound love in the hearts of the people and in the hearts of humanity. His whole life was so noble, without a trace of selfishness. Forever, his fragrance will permeate the soul of Vietnam…”

Content: Thien Vy

Photos and videos: Thien Vy - Duc Quang

Design: Huy Tung

5:19:05:20 23:08:21

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/van-hoa-ha-tinh/kim-lien-toa-ngat-huong-sen/248633.htm