A chance encounter at the base camp.
Photos from January 13, 2012, the day General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited, extended New Year greetings, and presented gifts to families of policy beneficiaries in the communes of the revolutionary base of Zone 5 Party Committee (Hiep Duc district), flooded social media from the afternoon of July 19. A wave of emotion surged through the hearts of many who had the opportunity to meet and converse with the General Secretary during that first and only encounter.
Ms. Ho Thi Loan, who was present in the photo of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong talking with the people of Hiep Duc, was overcome with emotion when looking back at the commemorative picture.
"At that time, Uncle Nguyen Phu Trong was very approachable and warm. He shook hands with each person, asking about their lives, their businesses, and the difficulties they were facing."
Uncle Ho also instructed the government to pay more attention to the revolutionary base areas, to find ways to open roads for the people, to take care of poor families and families entitled to preferential policies, so that people's lives could be prosperous and comfortable. Uncle Ho talked a lot.
"From the afternoon of July 19th until now, I and many other people in Hiep Duc have been very sad and mournful for Uncle Trong. It is a great loss for the people of Hiep Duc in particular, and the people of the whole country in general. The people had always hoped that he would visit them one more time..." - Ms. Loan shared.
Memories returned during the days when the whole country was preparing for national mourning. Ms. Dinh Thi Mai Hong, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Song Tra commune, recalled that at that time there were only about ten days left until the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon.
Upon hearing the news that General Secretary Trong was visiting the base of the 5th Party Committee, the cadres and people of the highland communes of Hiep Duc were all very excited, staying up all night, eagerly awaiting morning to see the General Secretary.
At exactly 9 a.m., the delegation arrived at the meeting hall of the Zone 5 Party Committee historical site. A large crowd had already gathered, sitting orderly and waiting for the General Secretary to speak.
"Everyone was happy and excited. It was wonderful that a high-ranking leader of the Party and the Central Committee took the time to visit the people in such a remote and isolated place. He praised us a lot and offered much encouragement."
"Uncle Ho instructed the local and provincial authorities to pay attention to ethnic minority areas, especially those in the revolutionary base areas, the cradle of the revolution. He emphasized the need to ensure that Hiep Duc, this base area of the 5th Party Committee, develops to be on par with other places. He gave very detailed instructions..." - Mrs. Hong recounted.
The belief will last forever.
The rain poured down continuously for days, starting from the afternoon of July 19th. Ms. Hong said the rain seemed to add to the sadness and sorrow in her heart and in the hearts of many people in Song Tra commune, many people in the mountainous region of Hiep Duc, and the whole country.
“I am deeply saddened. We have lost a dedicated leader who devoted his entire life to the country and its people. He was a beacon of faith for me and my fellow citizens throughout the years. Thanks to Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, the people have even greater confidence in the Party and the State.”
When he passed away, many people confided in me, wondering who would replace him and whether the fight against corruption would remain strong and resolute. As a party member, a retired official, and a respected figure in this region, I assure you that there will certainly be someone to replace him.
"Uncle Ho has passed away, but he left instructions for the succeeding generation. The Central Committee has also issued a Resolution, and everything will continue as planned. We must remain steadfast in our faith. The people in the highland communes have long been loyal to the Party, and that faith will be maintained," Ms. Hong confided.
While taking her granddaughter to visit the Zone 5 Party Committee historical site, Ms. Ho Thi Anh Tho (Tra Va village, Song Tra commune, Hiep Duc district) stopped in front of a photograph of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong giving a speech during his visit to Zone 5 Party Committee 12 years ago, which is proudly displayed in the memorial house of the historical site.
Mrs. Tho told her grandchild about the simplicity and warmth of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong when he met the people, and about her admiration for the Party leader who had traveled all the way to visit the people back then. The old woman's eyes seemed to well up with tears.
She paused for a long time beside the red-budded banyan tree planted by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in the historical site, and told her grandchild, "This is a commemorative banyan tree that Uncle Ho gifted to the people in the highlands on that occasion."
"Wherever he went, whoever he met, he always reminded the people to strive to develop the economy , not to be complacent, and to work hard to be worthy of this revolutionary land."
"Following Uncle Trong's advice, many Kinh, Mơ Nông, and Xơ Đăng people in the locality have now strived to overcome poverty. Our homeland has changed a lot. Uncle Trong has passed away, but the people still cherish his story and continue to follow his example to help our homeland develop further..." - Mrs. Thơ shared.
Many stories about General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's first and only visit to the revolutionary base area are still being recounted by the people during these rainy days as they bid farewell to him.
The highlands will always remember and cherish the contributions of this Party leader, who devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Party and this country until the very last day of his life...
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/ky-uc-tro-ve-3138353.html
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