Memories live forever in the house of General Vo Nguyen Giap

Visit and offer incense at the house of General Vo Nguyen Giap

One afternoon in May, Hanoi was filled with golden sunshine. House number 30 Hoang Dieu Street appeared behind an ancient iron gate, nestled in a green tree-lined campus. That place, on the most beautiful street of the capital Hanoi, was once a familiar home for the last decades of the life of a national hero, the eldest brother of the Vietnam People's Army - General Vo Nguyen Giap.

On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, we had the opportunity to visit and offer incense to the spirit of the legendary General. In that peaceful and warm space, we listened to touching stories from Mrs. Mac Thi Thuy Huong. She is the General's youngest daughter-in-law, who has been taking care of him for 43 years, from January 1, 1983, the day she was lucky enough to become his daughter-in-law until the General breathed his last.

The house is always filled with fresh flower baskets with the respect of Hanoi people and the whole country remembering the General.

In the cool green garden under the shade of ancient trees, orchids from Dien Bien suddenly bloomed in May. Mrs. Huong emotionally recounted: "When he was weak, I often took him out to the garden in a wheelchair so he could admire the plants and orchids. Today, by chance, the Tam Bao Sac orchid sent from Dien Bien, hanging right next to the door of that room, suddenly bloomed in the first days of May.

And what’s more special is that the orchid trellis was made for him by soldiers from old 155mm bullet tubes from the battlefield. My father has had a passion for orchids since the 1960s. Every time an orchid or a flower pot blooms in the yard, his children and grandchildren miss him so much.”

Mrs. Mac Thi Thuy Huong, the General's youngest daughter-in-law.

In the yard are a set of granite tables and chairs from 1968, fragrant orchids from Dien Bien province, and beloved mementos of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

The house grounds still have a fish pond with clear water, the sound of water trickling through the leaves. In the middle of the yard, the granite table and chairs that the engineering corps made for the General in 1968 are still intact. During his lifetime, the General often received distinguished guests, comrades and close friends here. He liked to sit and enjoy tea, admire flowers, talk about current events, heroic history and the dream of peace for the country.

The watch - a special keepsake of the General's family

The General's shrine is simple and warm. The black and white portrait is placed solemnly in the middle of the altar filled with incense smoke and fragrant flowers. Mrs. Huong showed us the wooden clock in the middle of the room and said with tears in her eyes: "This clock has been kept intact since the moment he passed away. It still stops at 18:09 on October 4, 2013. Every time I see that moment, my heart is filled with emotion. All the children and grandchildren in the family miss him deeply."

The clock in General Vo Nguyen Giap's living room (now the shrine room) records the moment the General passed away at 6:09 p.m. on October 4, 2013.

Above the old fireplace is a special portrait. The General’s gentle smiling face is a collage of 8,800 documentary photos of his life, from his youth, fighting to his hospital bed. In the background are three great symbols of the nation: the Independence Palace; the Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument; and the bright red national flag flying over De Castries’ bunker. The portrait was a gift from artist Nguyen Minh from Dong Nai, completed on the occasion of the General’s 100th birthday.

"My father loved this painting very much. Many people came to visit, looking at each small photo, as if reliving moments of his life. A legendary General, but also a gentle father," Ms. Huong shared tearfully.

The General's gentle smiling face was assembled from 8,800 documentary photos about his life.

This room used to be the familiar living room, and since the General passed away, the family has kept it as a shrine. The window is still open to welcome the golden sunlight, facing the beloved garden. It seems that somewhere there is still the image of the legendary General of the nation sitting quietly listening to the wind, watching the young buds sprout.

The memory of the General lies not only in his glorious achievements but also in his noble, simple and humane way of life. Although he has passed away, the love that the people have for him remains forever like a sweet river flowing through each generation.

Incense sticks in May to offer to the father of the Vietnam People's Army

At house number 30 Hoang Dieu street, where General Vo Nguyen Giap spent many years of his life, footsteps still quietly return. Former comrades, relatives, friends and people of the capital often visit, offer incense in memory, and express their deep gratitude to the legendary General of the nation.

This May, on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the small house in the heart of Hanoi has received many more visits. The first lotus flowers of summer have also been respectfully offered, as if sending into them the pure feelings and admiration of the people of the whole country for the General.

Reporters of Cong Thuong Newspaper sincerely visited and offered incense to General Vo Nguyen Giap at his family's home on the 71st anniversary of Dien Bien Phu victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2025).

Colonel, journalist Nguyen Thi Minh Hoai, former reporter of the People's Army Newspaper, also visited and quietly lit incense before the General's portrait. She was moved to share: "Offering incense before the General's spirit, I feel like I am returning to the heroic historical years of the nation. As a journalist who has written about the General many times, I am more deeply aware of the great stature of an outstanding military leader, but also extremely close and simple. Every time I stand before his altar, I am moved as if I am listening to the reminder from the heart of a general who devoted his whole life to the country and the people.

71 years have passed since the Dien Bien Phu victory, but the echoes of that victory and the image of General Vo Nguyen Giap still hold true not only in history, but also in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. I am proud to be a soldier and a writer in the army, living and writing in an era with great people like the General.

Colonel Nguyen Minh Hoai - former reporter of the People's Army Newspaper came to burn incense for the General.

Lighting incense sticks in memory, saying goodbye to the family, we quietly said goodbye to house number 30 Hoang Dieu street and our family. In each of our hearts, a feeling of regret and emotion that is difficult to name suddenly arose. The image of the people's General still seemed to exist, still silently following every step of the country, as he had throughout his life...

(According to Industry and Trade Newspaper)

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/16/349952/Ky-uc-song-mai-tr111ng-ngoi-nha-cua-Dai-tuong-Vo-Nguyen-Giap.aspx