Receiving special documents and artifacts related to President Ho Chi Minh.

NDO - On the afternoon of April 3rd, a ceremony was held at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site in the Presidential Palace to receive artifacts donated by the family of Mr. Pham Van Cong. More than just a professional activity, the event was also a deeply emotional encounter, adding another precious piece of memory about the great leader of the nation.

At the handover ceremony, representatives of the family donated two original sets of artifacts to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site at the Presidential Palace: a set of tables and chairs and a tea set that were used to welcome President Ho Chi Minh during his visit to the family on New Year's Eve of the Year of the Rabbit (1963); two precious photographs capturing the moment President Ho Chi Minh visited the family; and 20 photo files documenting the patriotic activities of overseas Vietnamese in the New World towards the beloved President Ho Chi Minh. These artifacts and documents have been preserved by the family for over 60 years.

According to family accounts, on New Year's Eve of the Year of the Rabbit (January 24, 1963), while the whole family was busy preparing to celebrate the New Year, President Ho Chi Minh unexpectedly appeared at the small house at 97 Dai La Street, Hanoi – the residence of Mr. Pham Van Cong and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Quyen, a Vietnamese expatriate family who had recently returned from the New World.

When Uncle Ho arrived, only his parents were home. In the warm light of the spring night, Uncle Ho inquired about the preparations for Tet, the making of banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), the children, and then gave advice on life, raising children, and even the situation of overseas Vietnamese after returning to their homeland.

The President gently pulled up a small wooden chair and sat down beside his son's study desk, chatting intimately as if they were family members. This story is a true testament to the profound affection the President always had for the people, especially overseas Vietnamese.

Mr. Pham Van Duc (son of Mr. Pham Van Cong) spoke on behalf of the family at the handover ceremony. (Photo: NAM NGUYEN).

Each chair, each teacup, each photograph is now not merely an artifact but a testament to a rare moment – ​​when the President spent New Year's Eve visiting the people. It is also the most authentic and intimate expression of the boundless affection that Uncle Ho always had for overseas Vietnamese.

Not only do they preserve artifacts, but the families of Mr. Pham Van Duc and Mr. Pham Van Minh – the sons of Mr. Pham Van Cong – are also living witnesses to a proud journey of repatriation. Mr. Pham Van Duc was one of the young volunteers who returned to Vietnam on the last repatriation ship in 1964 from the New World – a distant land under French control.

The Vietnamese diaspora community then donated 10 Peugeot 404 cars to the Government and President Ho Chi Minh – one of which was used to serve him and is now on display at the Historical Site, having been recognized as a National Treasure in December 2024.

Representatives from the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site and representatives from the family of Mr. Pham Van Cong signed the handover document for the artifacts. (Photo: NAM NGUYEN)

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site, Le Thi Phuong, expressed her deep gratitude to the family of Mr. Pham Van Cong's children and grandchildren for donating these precious artifacts of President Ho Chi Minh to "Uncle Ho's House" - the place that preserves, protects, and promotes the value of Ho Chi Minh's legacy during the last 15 years of his life (1954-1969).

According to the Director of the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site, more than a century ago, many Vietnamese people boarded ships to remote islands in the South Pacific. Despite enduring many hardships and difficulties, the Vietnamese community there always remained devoted to their homeland, supporting the revolutionary government and President Ho Chi Minh, including Vietnamese expatriates in the New World.

Director of the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site, Le Thi Phuong, delivers a speech. (Photo: NAM NGUYEN).

For over 60 years, the special bond between the Historical Site and patriotic overseas Vietnamese has continued, as the Site has received original artifacts along with valuable photographs and documents about President Ho Chi Minh.

“The stories hidden within each artifact will enrich the valuable collection of artifacts and documents at the Historical Site. This will further enhance the value of the artifacts, meeting the needs of visitors, learners, and those seeking traditional education, especially the younger generation. It is also the best way to express gratitude and honor the generosity of individuals and organizations that donate these artifacts, contributing to bringing the Ho Chi Minh legacy to the public and raising community responsibility in preserving and promoting the values ​​of Vietnam's national cultural heritage,” emphasized Ms. Le Thi Phuong.

The acceptance of these precious artifacts is also a true testament to the unwavering and profound affection that overseas Vietnamese have for President Ho Chi Minh and the Fatherland, as well as President Ho Chi Minh's deep concern for generations of overseas Vietnamese. The artifacts will be preserved, protected, and promoted respectfully by the Historical Site, befitting the historical and spiritual value they carry.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tiep-nhan-tu-lieu-hien-vat-dac-biet-ve-chu-tich-ho-chi-minh-post869897.html