About Duc Thanh, remembering Uncle Ho

Phu Yen Newspaper reporters visited the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Binh Thuan to learn about the time Uncle Ho lived and taught in Phan Thiet. Photo: THUY THAO

During the days when the whole country is looking towards the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2025), the flow of people to the Duc Thanh relic site is even more crowded. In that sacred space, in each person's heart, there is a surge of respect, endlessly remembering Uncle Ho.

About the place where the footprints of the man are kept

In September 1910, on his way to Saigon to find a way to save the country, teacher Nguyen Tat Thanh (the name of President Ho Chi Minh when he was young) stopped in Phan Thiet and taught at Duc Thanh School. At that time, he was only 20 years old, the youngest teacher teaching there.

Duc Thanh School was established and operated from 1907-1912. This was a private school founded by Mr. Nguyen Trong Loi and Mr. Nguyen Quy Anh (two sons of patriot Nguyen Thong) and other patriotic scholars in Phan Thiet, responding to the Duy Tan movement initiated by Phan Chau Trinh. The school taught Quoc Ngu, Chinese, French and Physical Education to students...

During his time teaching here, teacher Nguyen Tat Thanh not only imparted knowledge, but also ignited in his students' hearts love for humanity, the flame of patriotism, concerns about the fate of the nation, the desire for independence and freedom... This was also the time when he quietly researched and learned about the situation in the country and the world , preparing for the journey to Saigon, crossing the ocean to find a way to save the country on June 5, 1911.

To commemorate, preserve and promote the value of the relic associated with Uncle Ho's life, in 1978, Duc Thanh School was handed over to the State for management, restoration, renovation and completed in 1980 by the descendants of Nguyen Thong. The school has a simple yin-yang tiled roof, surrounded by rustic wooden walls. Duc Thanh School today still preserves many artifacts associated with the time Uncle Ho taught here. From the table and chairs where Uncle Ho sat to teach, the desk where he often sat to grade papers, drink tea, and talk with teachers after class; to Ngu's house - where he lived, read books, and looked up documents; the standing cabinet to store personal belongings and the simple wooden plank where Uncle Ho rested every night..., all are preserved almost intact. Not only does it evoke deep memories of the life of the young teacher Nguyen Tat Thanh, that space also inspires a great thought that shines from the simple, humane lifestyle, filled with love for people, especially for poor students and workers in coastal areas.

Walking in the grounds of the Duc Thanh School Relic Site, we had the feeling that Uncle Ho's figure was still somewhere around here. Joining the crowd visiting Duc Thanh School that day, looking at the well that Uncle Ho used to use, admiring the star fruit tree that Uncle Ho had planted and cared for that was still green and full of fruit as before, veteran Nguyen Van Hung, 70 years old, from Phu Cat district (Binh Dinh province) was moved and emotional: "I was present at the Southern battlefield during the fierce resistance years, and I always remember the simple yet great image of Uncle Ho. Today, the first time I set foot in Duc Thanh School, where Uncle Ho taught when I was young, my heart was filled with emotion as if I had met him again. To me, this place is not only a cultural destination, but also a place to remind future generations to live up to what Uncle Ho sacrificed and built."

Tran Ngoc Tam Nhu, a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, shared: “Previously, I only knew through books and newspapers that Uncle Ho stopped to teach in Phan Thiet before traveling to find a way to save the country. Now that I have seen with my own eyes the artifacts and images of his life and career, I am even more grateful, respectful and loving towards Uncle Ho.”

Duc Thanh School space. Photo: THANH HOI

Preserving the red address in the heart of Phan Thiet

Since 1978, the Party Committee and People of Binh Thuan began to restore the Duc Thanh relic site. In 1983, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Binh Thuan branch, began construction next to this relic site. On December 12, 1986, the Duc Thanh School relic site was ranked as a national historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ).

Duc Thanh School, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Binh Thuan branch has long become a red address of Binh Thuan in the journey of gratitude, learning and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style. This place is not only the center of political and cultural activities of Binh Thuan province but also a place to visit and learn about the revolutionary history and life of President Ho Chi Minh; a place for Vietnamese people, domestic and foreign tourists to visit and remember him.

Although Uncle Ho has passed away, his image and thoughts are deeply engraved in the hearts of every Vietnamese person, not only in his great stature as a revolutionary leader, but also in his warmth, closeness, simplicity and sincerity in every gesture, word and daily lifestyle. Therefore, the relics associated with Uncle Ho, including the Duc Thanh Relic Site and the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Binh Thuan, are always sacred destinations, reminding people of revolutionary traditions and ideals. Since the beginning of 2025, this place has attracted nearly 53,000 visitors, including nearly 300 foreign visitors. This number not only shows the attraction of this red address, but also shows the pride and affection of people across the country and international friends for President Ho Chi Minh.

More than a century has passed, the place where President Ho Chi Minh lived, taught and left his first marks in the journey to save the country still retains almost intact the old space, imbued with the breath of history and deposited in the hearts of many generations of descendants the love and respect for him.

With the mission of preserving, embellishing and promoting the values ​​of Ho Chi Minh's heritage, the cadres, party members and workers at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Binh Thuan branch, are dedicated to the work of preserving, conserving and embellishing the relic site every day. Not only the artifacts and documents but also the star fruit trees, areca roots, betel bushes... here are all taken care of, creating a cool, rustic space imbued with the spirit and lifestyle of the President, simple but profound, close but sacred.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Nga, Head of the Department of Professional Affairs - Interpretation of Ho Chi Minh Museum, Binh Thuan branch, shared: For me and my colleagues, working here is a great honor and pride. Every day, we meet, guide, and introduce to the public and tourists precious documents and cultural heritage values ​​about Uncle Ho, to foster pride, love for the homeland and country as well as gratitude for his great contributions to the nation. And from there, each Vietnamese person reflects on themselves, follows the path that President Ho Chi Minh opened, lives with ideals and constantly contributes to the Fatherland.

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/van-nghe/202505/ve-duc-thanh-boi-hoi-nho-bac-ed81930/