Uncle Ho will always be in our hearts.

For the people of An Thanh commune, Can Tho city, May is not only the anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19) but also a sacred time for each person to remember, express gratitude, and show respect and love for him.

Mr. Le Van Dien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the City Party Committee, recorded his feelings when visiting the Temple of President Ho Chi Minh .

The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple in An Thanh commune was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in 2001, a place that commemorates the unwavering affection of the people of An Thanh commune in particular and Southern Vietnam in general for the beloved President Ho Chi Minh. Mr. Luong Van Rang, residing in Phuoc Hoa hamlet, An Thanh commune, an 87-year-old veteran revolutionary cadre with over 60 years of Party membership, vividly remembers the fierce battles against the enemy outpost. Before he was even twenty years old, he joined the guerrilla forces with the spirit of a descendant of President Ho Chi Minh.

“In 1969, Uncle Ho passed away (September 2nd, 1969) – an irreplaceable loss for the Vietnamese revolution. At that time, the people of An Thanh Nhi commune earnestly petitioned the authorities to immediately establish a temple dedicated to Uncle Ho on Cu Lao Dung island so that the people could have a place to remember and worship the beloved leader of the nation day and night,” Mr. Rang recalled.

According to veteran revolutionaries, at this time, the enemy intensified their sweeps and fierce bombing raids, so the construction of the temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh had to take place in the afternoons and at night, relying entirely on the people's efforts. Bamboo and wood were cut, carved, and prepared by young men and transported to the site, while coconut leaves were prepared by women at home and then brought back.

With boundless love and respect for Uncle Ho, and the determination and dedication of the people and soldiers of An Thanh Nhi commune, after nearly three months of construction, under the enemy's bombing and shelling, the temple dedicated to Uncle Ho was completed ahead of schedule. On May 19, 1970, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Uncle Ho's birth, thousands of people, including provincial, district, and commune officials, and residents from the three island communes, eagerly attended the inauguration ceremony, despite the dangers of enemy bombs and bullets that could fall at any moment.

Mr. Thai Huu Duc, residing in Den Tho hamlet, An Thanh commune, said: "I am very proud that my father was one of the people who contributed to building the temple dedicated to Uncle Ho in the 1970s. Every time I light an incense stick for Uncle Ho, I feel very happy."

Mr. Do Hoang Thoai, residing in Cho Hamlet, An Thanh Commune, confidently asserted: “I am well-versed in every event and historical detail of the formation of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple. Whenever I meet tourists or travel far away, I always introduce them to the heroic land of An Thanh, where the Temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh is located. As a Party member, I regularly encourage the people in the area to live up to the ideals of being descendants of President Ho Chi Minh.”

Every May, the number of people visiting the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple increases. From elderly people, youth union members, and students, everyone carries a sense of emotion as they light incense to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh. Mr. Le Van Dien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the City Party Committee, wrote these heartfelt words: “Coming to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple with sincere gratitude and remembrance of the immense contributions of the national liberation hero, the beloved Father of the Vietnamese people. The delegation listened to presentations about the biography and contributions of President Ho Chi Minh and directly read and saw his handwriting and images… This contributed to educating each cadre and party member about revolutionary traditions. We pledge to strive throughout our lives to study and follow the example of the great President Ho Chi Minh.”

To commemorate the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2026), An Thanh commune organized many practical and meaningful activities to remember him. Ms. Tran Thi Diem Hang, President of the Women's Union of An Thanh commune, said: “The Union organized a competition for ‘Offering Trays’ to President Ho Chi Minh, with 12 participating teams, taking place on the morning of May 19, 2026. The organizing committee will select the offering trays (winning first, second, and third prizes) to be presented at the Temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh.”

According to the teams, the elaborate offerings, including fruits, fresh flowers, sticky rice, chicken, and many local products, were prepared to express their profound respect and boundless gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh for bringing prosperity, freedom, and happiness to the people.

In addition, activities such as visiting the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple, launching environmental sanitation campaigns, maintaining flower-lined roads, organizing thematic activities to study and follow the thoughts, ethics, and style of President Ho Chi Minh, cultural and sports exchanges, visiting families of policy beneficiaries, and other social welfare activities... create a vibrant atmosphere of emulation, spreading the spirit of solidarity and responsibility for the community throughout the entire political system of the commune.

Mr. Huynh Thanh An, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of An Thanh commune, said: “The temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh is an important ‘red address’ in traditional education. Every year, it welcomes over 6,000 visitors from within and outside the city to visit and offer incense. May in An Thanh always holds a very special meaning. It is the month of gratitude and practical actions directed towards the beloved President Ho Chi Minh. The Party Committee and the People's Committee of the commune always prioritize preservation work and are proposing investment in the renovation and repair of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple to make it even more magnificent.”

Text and photos: SỚM MAI

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/luon-co-bac-trong-tim-a204917.html