The temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh was inaugurated on his birthday.
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About 40 years ago, a nearly 3km long road, connecting the Y-shaped bridge (Chau Thoi commune bridge) to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple, was built entirely through the willpower, manpower, and solidarity of the people of Chau Thoi commune. Significantly, this road not only served as a transportation route but also embodied the unwavering affection of the local officials, soldiers, and people for President Ho Chi Minh . Currently, the road is named May 19th Road. |
The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple, located in Ba Chang A hamlet, Chau Thoi commune (Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province), about 5 km southwest of the Vinh Loi district center, was classified as a national historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in 1998.
The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple is built on a 11,000m2 plot of land with main structures including: the temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh; a temple enclosure; an exhibition hall; an auditorium and offices; a service area; and a garden planted with various trees by Party and State leaders who visited and planted them as commemorative gifts. Notably, within the memorial grounds is a lotus pond, a flower always associated with the homeland and the name of President Ho Chi Minh.
In addition to the main area of the temple, there are also gardens and a hall for showing documentaries that provide visitors with an overview of President Ho Chi Minh's life and career.
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The temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh is located in Chau Thoi commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province. |
During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh cherished the thought that when the country was unified and North and South became one, he would visit the people of the South. The words "South" always resonated in his mind. He once said: "The South is always in my heart." Even in his old age and declining health, amidst fierce fighting in the South, he earnestly requested that arrangements be made for him to visit the people and soldiers of the South.
The people of Southern Vietnam in general, and Bac Lieu in particular, although they never had the opportunity to welcome President Ho Chi Minh, always cherish his memory and longing. Their only hope is that with determination to defeat imperialism, the South will be liberated, the country unified, and the people of Southern Vietnam will be able to welcome President Ho Chi Minh for a visit.
To show their respect and sorrow for him, after the funeral, the District Party Committee of Vinh Loi District, Soc Trang Province (now Vinh Loi District, Bac Lieu Province) directed and mobilized the people throughout the district to build a temple in his honor.
In March 1970, the Chau Thoi commune Party committee implemented the policy of the Vinh Loi district Party committee to build a temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. After the temple was destroyed twice by the enemy, the people, as well as the Chau Thoi commune Party committee and the Vinh Loi district Party committee, were determined to rebuild the temple solidly with cement and reinforced steel.
The task of purchasing building materials was fraught with difficulties due to having to pass through numerous enemy outposts, but driven by their love and respect for President Ho Chi Minh, the people of Chau Thoi commune volunteered to buy the materials, each person buying a little, and making multiple purchases.
When preparations were complete, at 10:00 AM on April 25, 1972, the Chau Thoi commune Party committee held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. After 24 days and nights of hard work, undeterred by enemy artillery fire, the people and the Chau Thoi commune Party committee completed the construction of the temple.
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Students from Hoa Binh A Primary School (Hoa Binh district, Bac Lieu province) pay their respects to President Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple in Chau Thoi commune (Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province) on the morning of May 17, 2025 (Photo: Nhat Ho). |
On the morning of May 19, 1972 (President Ho Chi Minh's birthday), the inauguration ceremony of the temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh was held amidst the joy and solemnity of more than a thousand people from Chau Thoi commune and soldiers from Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province.
The temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh has become a "red address" (a historical site of significant historical importance).
According to the leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Lieu province: "The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple has undergone many renovations and repairs, especially during the new construction in 2010-2011. The temple area has been expanded according to the plan to include many items such as: the main temple where the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh is placed, a traditional house displaying historical artifacts, a ceremonial courtyard, a welcome gate, a green park..."
In particular, in 2011, Bac Lieu province completed the restoration and renovation of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple, phase 1 (11,000 m2) and phase 2 (34,000 m2), with a total area of over 45,000 m2 and a total investment of over 54 billion VND, contributed by the central government, local authorities, and the people.
Every year, this place attracts a large number of tourists and a large number of people, as well as organizations from within and outside the province, who take turns organizing tours to the Temple of Uncle Ho to reflect on his life, career, and the immense contributions he made to the Vietnamese people, enabling them to enjoy a prosperous and happy life today.
Young people from within and outside the province who visit the temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh have the opportunity to study, learn, and emulate his noble example, so that they can increasingly contribute their small efforts to the cause of national renewal and development.
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Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa (Bay Khoa) - former Team Leader of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple Security Team, now the Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Incense Offering Club in Chau Thoi commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province. |
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On major holidays, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple is always a popular venue for various Party committees, government agencies, mass organizations, the police, and the military to hold incense offerings and ceremonies to report achievements. |
Currently, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple regularly organizes commemorative activities on the anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth and the anniversary of his passing. Many youth union members from the district to the province visit the temple, hold Youth Union and Young Pioneer activities, and participate in other cultural activities. They launch emulation movements to achieve accomplishments and offer gifts to the beloved President Ho Chi Minh, and organize ceremonies to report their achievements and express their gratitude to him.
Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple in Bac Lieu, tourists will witness the heroic spirit and resourcefulness of the people and soldiers of Chau Thoi (Vinh Loi), as well as the devotion of the Party Committee, government, and people of Bac Lieu to the father of the nation, through the artifacts displayed at the site…
"Every year, on major holidays, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple is always a venue where many Party committees, government agencies, mass organizations, and schools from the district and province organize incense offerings, reporting ceremonies, ceremonies for admitting new Party members and Youth Union members, awarding Party badges, and celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival... giving young people from within and outside the province the opportunity to visit the temple and study, learn, and emulate the noble example of President Ho Chi Minh."
"In particular, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple in Chau Thoi commune has long become a 'red address' for educating future generations about revolutionary traditions; it is also a tourist destination that attracts many visitors from within and outside Bac Lieu province to visit, learn, and connect with the historical roots," shared Mr. Tran Anh Thi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Loi district.
Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa (Bay Khoa) - former Team Leader of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple Security Team, now Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Incense Club in Chau Thoi commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province, recounted: “Back then, the news of Uncle Ho's death brought tears to the eyes of everyone in the country, from the elderly to the young. Afterwards, the Vinh Loi District Party Committee temporarily borrowed a villager's house to hold the memorial service, mourn Uncle Ho, and as a place for people to offer incense and prayers to him.”
In 1971, the enemy raided Ba Chang A hamlet and ruthlessly burned down the shrine dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. This act enraged the people, who resolved to turn their grief into action. When the enemy destroyed the temple, the heroic people of Chau Thoi resolutely rebuilt it. The following year, construction began and was completed in 24 days of hard work and secrecy. The shrine dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh was safely protected until the reunification of the country.
“I have been serving as a guard and caretaker of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple since 1972. Therefore, I remember every document and image about Uncle Ho displayed and preserved in the temple very clearly. When visitors come to pay their respects and want to learn more, I am ready to tell them everything, from the construction of the temple to the affection of the people of Chau Thoi for Uncle Ho during the resistance war and in the present day,” Mr. Bay Khoa further shared.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/linh-thieng-den-tho-bac-ho-o-bac-lieu-post548844.html
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