Footprints Without Borders

The memoir collection "Following in the Footsteps of the Great Leader" by Professor, Doctor, and writer Trinh Quang Phu recreates President Ho Chi Minh's 30-year journey in his quest to save the nation with a writing style rich in documentation, emotion, and cultural depth. What is special about the book is that the author does not tell the historical story in a dry, rigid way, but rather through his experiences retracing President Ho Chi Minh's path, visiting the places where he lived and carried out revolutionary activities.

The memoir "Following in the Footsteps of the Great Leader" by Professor, Doctor, and writer Trinh Quang Phu was released in August 2024. By October 2025, the book had been resold for the ninth time and an English version was also available. (Source: Publisher)

For over 25 years, writer Trinh Quang Phu has traveled to France, England, Russia, China, and the United States numerous times to search for documents, compare memories, and meet historical witnesses. He has returned to some places dozens of times. These trips were not only the research work of a writer, but also resembled a dialogue across time between the present and the footprints of history, giving weight to the book.

Notably, " Following in the Footsteps of the Great Leader" demonstrates the cultural influence of President Ho Chi Minh that transcends all ideological boundaries. The author shares that what moved him most was that in many different countries, despite differing political systems, people still held a special respect for Uncle Ho.

They are proud that the place where they live once bore the footprints of the President. This detail signifies that President Ho Chi Minh was not only the leader of Vietnam, but also a cultural and moral symbol with a wide-ranging influence on the world .

In the context of Vietnam increasingly valuing national "soft power," disseminating the image of President Ho Chi Minh through literature, essays, and everyday stories has become an effective way to connect with international friends.

Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received 3,500 copies of the book "Following in the Footsteps of the Great Leader " from Professor, Doctor, and writer Trinh Quang Phu to distribute to Vietnamese representative offices abroad, embassies, and consulates as a document for diplomatic work.

According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van, the book not only has historical and literary value, but is also a practical tool for promoting Ho Chi Minh's ideology, style, and foreign policy to the world.

In fact, for many years, the image of Ho Chi Minh has always been a special "cultural landmark" in international life. From memorial houses in France, Russia, and China to monuments, street names, and commemorative activities in many countries, Ho Chi Minh's legacy has transcended the boundaries of national history to become part of humanity's memory of peace, national liberation, and the aspiration for independence.

Following in the footsteps of Ho Chi Minh adds another bridge for the international public to better understand Vietnam through the cultural portrait of Ho Chi Minh. The book's appeal also lies in its storytelling art.

As noted by the Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association, Nguyen Quang Thieu, the historical documents in the book are told in an authentic, simple yet emotionally rich style, making readers feel as if they are living in that era. President Ho Chi Minh is portrayed not only as a leader but also as someone very approachable, down-to-earth, and humane.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received 3,500 copies of the book "Following in the Footsteps of the Great Leader" donated by Professor, Doctor, and writer Trinh Quang Phu (sixth from the left) on May 12th. (Photo: Thanh Long)

In the literary landscape dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, perhaps the most challenging aspect is refreshing a subject that is already so familiar. However, writer Trinh Quang Phu has found his own unique approach, tracing details of life, specific locations, and little-known stories to reconstruct a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh within a broader international context. Through this, he emerges as a man of cultural dialogue, of profound understanding of the world, and of the ability to connect nations through his great personality.

At the age of 86, after decades dedicated to the subject of Ho Chi Minh, writer Trinh Quang Phu continues to cherish the idea of ​​translating his works into French, Spanish, or Portuguese to reach readers in Africa, South America, and Europe.

That aspiration shows that, for him, writing about President Ho Chi Minh was not just a literary endeavor, but also a persistent cultural diplomacy journey aimed at bringing the image of Vietnam closer to the world.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nhung-dau-chan-khong-bien-gioi-395757.html