During his lifetime, as President of the State and supreme leader of the Party, but every time on May 19, the anniversary of his birthday, President Ho Chi Minh always refused complicated ceremonies. He often told localities and agencies not to organize lavish ceremonies because he was afraid of wasting people's time and money while our people's lives and struggles were still full of difficulties and hardships. Through each occasion of commemorating Uncle Ho's birthday, we see a simplicity, modesty and nobility. That is a valuable lesson for each of us in any historical period of the country. It is an opportunity for us to look at Uncle Ho's shining example of revolutionary morality, to learn from his modesty, simplicity and exemplary virtues.
From 1941 to 1969, on his birthday, President Ho Chi Minh received thousands of letters and telegrams of birthday wishes from people, cadres, military personnel in the country and international friends. He sent his thanks to all of them.
May 19, 1941: (from May 10 to 19), Nguyen Ai Quoc chaired the 8th Conference of the Central Committee of the Indochinese Communist Party held in Pac Bo, Cao Bang province. The conference identified the task of national liberation as the most urgent task of the Indochinese revolution.
May 18, 1946: On the front page of the newspaper Cuu Quoc published in Hanoi, there was a special article titled: "Uncle Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people", the article officially announced the date of birth of President Ho Chi Minh: May 19, 1890.
May 19, 1946: It was also the first time a birthday celebration was organized to show the great solidarity of the entire people, the entire people around the leader of a young nation facing great challenges. That day, at the Northern Palace, Uncle Ho received representatives of the Capital's Children, self-defense forces, scouts and representatives of the South who came to wish him a long life. He took a photo with the children and talked with the representatives of the South. In response to everyone's feelings, Uncle said, "In fact, you guys here are making a big deal about my birthday, but at the age of 56, there is nothing to wish me a long life, I am still a young man, but in front of you, in front of the peaceful and joyful scene in the North, I really feel ashamed that the South is not at peace yet." And in the following years, whenever his birthday came around, Uncle Ho often told localities and agencies not to organize lavish birthday celebrations, because he was afraid of wasting people's time and money, while people's lives and struggles were still difficult and arduous...
May 19, 1947: While the war was spreading across the country, Uncle Ho's birthday took place at a secret location in the war zone in Son Duong (Tuyen Quang) with only a bouquet of wild flowers from his close relatives as a gift to the leader of the resistance. But Uncle Ho used that bouquet to visit his caregiver who had just died of malaria.
May 19, 1948: The National Assembly, the Government, organizations and people from all walks of life sent letters of congratulations on Uncle Ho's birthday. In response to the congratulations, Uncle Ho wrote a letter of thanks, saying: "My beloved compatriots wished me a long life. What can I do or say to repay that kindness? I have only one way to repay them, which is to resolutely endure hardships and sufferings with my compatriots, and to resolutely fight the resistance war with my compatriots until complete victory...".
May 19, 1949: Uncle Ho did not want to celebrate his birthday, and at that time the war situation was fierce. Therefore, in response to some cadres who suggested celebrating his birthday, before May 19, Uncle Ho wrote the poem “Untitled”:
"Because of the country, I have not thought about home yet"
Fifty-nine is not old yet.
Wait for the resistance to succeed
You will celebrate my birthday”.
Before May 19, 1950: At a meeting of cadres of Central agencies in Thac Dang (Tuyen Quang), during the meeting, many comrades came to congratulate Uncle Ho on his birthday. To thank and respond to everyone's birthday wishes, Uncle Ho wrote a poem:
"Sixty years old is still young"
Compared to Mr. Bang is still a teenager.
Eat well, sleep well, work well
"A mortal like that is no less than a fairy."
May 19, 1951: President Ho Chi Minh received delegates of the National Assembly, the Government, the Front... who came to wish him a long life. He then received journalists, answered questions about the Government's policies, international relations and world peace issues.
On the same day, he sent a letter to Anbe Clavie, a French non-commissioned officer who had defected to our side. He thanked Anbe for his birthday wishes and for his contributions to the Vietnamese Government's bond-buying movement. On the same day, he signed Decision No. 25/QD to pardon two prisoners and reduce the prison terms of 16 other prisoners.
May 19, 1952: Under the pen name CB, President Ho Chi Minh wrote the article "The French invaders betray the Lord" published in Nhan Dan newspaper No. 58 on May 19, 1952, denouncing the crimes of the French colonialists invading Vietnam and killing innocent Catholics and non-Catholics.
When in Hanoi, on May 19, Uncle Ho often went to work and visit another place to avoid the complicated and expensive ceremonies. On May 19, 1953, Uncle Ho visited the young kindergarten children, the children of the cadres of the Central agencies; Uncle Ho reminded the teachers to try to raise the children well; Uncle Ho also took a photo with the teachers and the children. Before that, Uncle Ho wrote a poem to read and sent to everyone, with the title: "Sixty-three years old":
"Not yet fifty and already calling yourself old"
I'm sixty-three and still think I'm a man.
Live a simple life
"Working for months and days is easy."
May 19, 1954: President Ho Chi Minh received many letters and telegrams from cadres, people, army, children... wishing him a long life and received many delegations coming to wish him a long life.
On the same day, under the pen name CB, President Ho Chi Minh wrote the article "Phi la top", published in Nhan Dan newspaper No. 186 (from May 19 to May 21, 1954), the article was about the ability of Vietnamese medicine to produce new drugs.
May 19, 1955: President Ho Chi Minh visited the Gia Lam railway factory in Hanoi, talked with the factory's cadres and workers. He advised, "If we want to compete successfully, we must unite, share experiences with each other, be persistent and try to learn."
May 19, 1956: President Ho Chi Minh received many delegations of officials and representatives of all walks of life coming to celebrate his 66th birthday.
May 19, 1957: President Ho Chi Minh visited Thay Pagoda, Sai Son Commune, Quoc Oai, Ha Tay.
May 19, 1958: President Ho Chi Minh visited Huong Tich Pagoda, a famous scenic spot in Vietnam. He advised local officials and people to plant more trees along the banks of Yen Stream, to protect and build a more beautiful landscape so that more and more domestic and foreign tourists would come to visit.
May 19, 1959: The President visited the Hanoi Alcohol Factory. Passing through the production workshops, seeing the workers having to do hard work, he told the factory staff, "You must improve to increase productivity and reduce labor." On the same day, he visited Thay Mountain and visited Tay Phuong Pagoda in Thach Xa Commune, Thach That District, Ha Tay. He presented a badge to a student at Trung Hoa Primary School (Hanoi) who found lost property and returned it to its owner.
May 19, 1960: President Ho Chi Minh signed a decision to reward a number of outstanding individuals and units in the fertilizer making movement.
May 19, 1961; 1962: President Ho Chi Minh worked abroad.
May 19, 1963: The 6th session of the 2nd National Assembly in 1963 opened on the occasion of the preparation for the 73rd anniversary of Uncle Ho's birthday. During this session, the National Assembly delegates unanimously proposed that the National Assembly award President Ho Chi Minh the Gold Star Order - the most noble Order of the State of Vietnam. Upon hearing the news, Uncle Ho said: “I have just received news that makes me very touched and happy. That is the news that the National Assembly intends to award me the Gold Star Order - the most noble Order of our country. I would like to express my gratitude to the National Assembly. But I ask the National Assembly to allow me not to receive that Order. Why? Because the Order is to reward those who have made meritorious contributions, but I myself consider that I have not made meritorious contributions worthy of the noble award of the National Assembly”; He continued: “The South is truly worthy of the title “Citadel of the Fatherland” and deserves to be awarded the most noble Medal. For these reasons, I ask the National Assembly to agree as follows: Wait until the day the South is completely liberated, the Fatherland is peaceful and unified, and the North and the South are reunited, the National Assembly will allow the people of the South to award me the noble Medal. Then all our people will be happy and joyful.”
May 19, 1964: On the occasion of his 74th birthday, President Ho Chi Minh gave an interview to MaiNôrily Ôpoăn magazine - a magazine published by a group of progressive American intellectuals. The interview content was about the situation in Vietnam and the American invasion of South Vietnam and the determination of the Vietnamese people in the resistance war against American invasion.
1965: On the occasion of his 75th birthday, in his document “Absolutely Secret”, Uncle Ho wrote for the first time: “This year, I am 75 years old. My spirit is still clear, my body is still healthy. However, I am also a rare person… I leave these few words, just to briefly mention a few things. In case when I go to meet Karl Marx, Lenin and other revolutionary elders, my compatriots across the country and comrades in the Party will not feel surprised”. This document was started by Uncle Ho on May 15, 1965, witnessed by comrade Le Duan, First Secretary of the Party Central Committee.
May 19, 1966; 1967: President Ho Chi Minh worked abroad.
Three years later, Uncle Ho's health declined! He revised and revised the document "Absolutely Secret" many times and wrote the opening sentence in the document "Absolutely Secret" to send to future generations at 9:00 a.m. on May 10, 1968: "This year, I am 78 years old, entering the "middle-aged" class. My spirit is still clear, although my health is worse than a few years ago..." Therefore, on his 78th birthday, Uncle Ho did not "stay home" like previous years, but spent all his time, focusing on thinking and revising the "Will" - the "priceless asset" he left to the Vietnamese people. That year, Uncle Ho added some specific content to his "asset", instructing what must be done immediately after the victory of the resistance war against the US to save the country, such as healing the wounds of war, rectifying the Party; His sacred instructions, guidance and heartfelt sentiments have become the heart's command for every Vietnamese citizen, not only in the resistance war against America to save the country, but also the platform for action of the entire Party, the entire army and the entire people in the cause of building and firmly defending the Fatherland today.
On his 78th birthday, although Uncle Ho did not go on a business trip as far as in previous years, on the evening of May 18, 1968, he went to a motel in West Lake. At noon on May 19, he and some of his brothers, drivers, and security guards had an intimate meal together to celebrate his birthday. Also on his 78th birthday, after attending the opening of the 4th session of the 3rd National Assembly on May 20, 1968, after listening to the Prime Minister read the report and birthday wishes, Uncle Ho said: “Last time I said that the victories of the soldiers and people of the two regions made me feel 20 years younger. But now hearing that I am 78 years old, I feel older. That is why I have this poem”:
“Seventy-eight is not very old,
Still firmly shoulder the country's affairs.
Our people's resistance is winning big,
Forward! Me and my children"
On the occasion of Uncle Ho's birthday in 1969, at 4:15 p.m. on May 11, 1969, Uncle Ho visited and talked intimately with the delegates attending the conference of high-ranking military officials. When Uncle Ho entered the meeting room, everyone stood up and shouted: "Long live President Ho! Long live President Ho!". Uncle Ho cordially asked: "Are you all well? Are you happy?"; the responses: "We are well, Uncle. We are very happy!" and Uncle Ho said, "That's good. Then please clap your hands." The whole hall once again had the opportunity to resound with joyful and excited applause.
On the occasion of the 134th anniversary of Uncle Ho's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2024), each of us expresses our deep feelings and gratitude to beloved Uncle Ho; the entire Party, the entire army and the entire Vietnamese people report to Uncle Ho about the achievements the whole country has achieved and are determined to correct and overcome shortcomings and mistakes to continue moving forward on the path of building a "more dignified, more beautiful" Vietnam, rich, strong, democratic, fair, civilized, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers as Uncle Ho always wished./.
Editor of Provincial Portal (summary)
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