Ho Tung Mau: An outstanding son of his homeland, Nghe An.

(Baonghean) - Comrade Ho Tung Mau, whose real name was Ho Ba Cu, was born on June 15, 1896, in Quynh Doi village, Quynh Luu district, Nghe An province, into a family with a rich tradition of scholarship and patriotism. Born and raised amidst great upheavals in the country and the world, coupled with the traditions of his homeland and family, Ho Ba Cu was early instilled with a revolutionary spirit of patriotism and hatred of imperialism. From a patriot, Ho Tung Mau became a communist fighter and a seasoned revolutionary cadre in the struggle for national liberation.

Portrait of Mr. Ho Tung Mau

In 1916, Ho Tung Mau left his family and taught in Thanh Chuong and Anh Son districts, Nghe An province, hoping to find like-minded individuals. At the end of April 1920, with the help of some patriotic families in his hometown, Ho Tung Mau, along with Le Hong Son and Ngo Quoc Chinh, went to Thailand, and three months later to China to find revolutionary activists from Nghe An province who were active there, such as Phan Boi Chau and Ho Hoc Lam. Ho Tung Mau and Le Hong Son founded the Tam Tam Society, gathering enthusiastic and resolute young people with similar ideals, willing to sacrifice personal interests, and working together to liberate the nation and gain independence for Vietnam from French colonial rule.

In the spring of 1924, Ho Tung Mau returned to Vietnam, resuming his activities in Quynh Luu and Yen Thanh under the name Phan Tai. In November 1924, the Tam Tam Society, with the help of Nguyen Ai Quoc, shifted its activities and built a revolutionary organization following the correct line. In June 1925, Ho Tung Mau and Le Hong Son helped Nguyen Ai Quoc establish the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association, which included a five-member Communist Youth League, with Ho Tung Mau also participating...

In June 1931, Ho Tung Mau was arrested for the second time by the French colonial authorities in Shanghai. They transferred him to Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi) and sentenced him to death by the Nghe An Court. However, due to his appeal, they were forced to commute the sentence to life imprisonment. From December 1931 to March 1945, he was transferred through various prisons: Vinh, Lao Bao, Kon Tum, Buon Ma Thuot... The harsh life in prison forged Ho Tung Mau's optimistic spirit and fostered the integrity, camaraderie, and brotherhood of a true communist.

In March 1945, taking advantage of the Japanese coup against the French, Ho Tung Mau and several political prisoners escaped from the Tra Khe detention camp in Phu Yen province and returned to his hometown to work at the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Upon arriving in Quynh Doi commune, Quynh Luu district, the Tran Trong Kim government immediately invited him to serve as a political advisor, but he resolutely refused. At that time, in Quynh Luu district, reactionary elements were propagating slogans such as "Support the Vietnam Independence League" and organizing rallies in Cau Giat town, but these were boycotted by Ho Tung Mau and the people. Ho Tung Mau propagated and mobilized the people in his village and commune to help each other alleviate famine, and meticulously guided Party cadres in organizing the Viet Minh movement in a solid and widespread manner, emphasizing the importance of avoiding complacency and haste in the uprising. He also mobilized his relatives and descendants, especially encouraging and creating favorable conditions for his son, Ho My Xuyen (who later served as Deputy Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee) - a Viet Minh cadre in the village - to actively prepare for the uprising. Thanks to this, Quynh Doi village had hundreds of members of the National Salvation Association. And in July 1945, Quynh Doi commune established the National Liberation Committee. Ho My Xuyen was appointed to participate in the Quynh Luu District Uprising Committee, and Quynh Luu was the first district in Nghe An province to seize power on August 18, 1945.

Following the successful August Revolution of 1945, Comrade Ho Tung Mau was entrusted with many important responsibilities: Principal of the Nhuong Ban Military Political School, Chairman of the Resistance Committee of Inter-Region IV, Inspector General of the Government, President of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association… Regardless of his position, he always deserved to be called a “dedicated leader,” a “dedicated cadre,” and a “loyal comrade.” He set a shining example of revolutionary ethics: diligence, frugality, integrity, and selflessness. He was a vivid embodiment of a person who was both a leader and a truly loyal servant of the people. He constantly strived to build national unity.

During his working trips to Nghe An, Comrade Ho Tung Mau left a lasting positive impression on the province's officials and people, showcasing his knowledge and the close, down-to-earth nature of a dedicated and exemplary leader. Each time he visited Quynh Doi village, his three-room thatched house was always packed with villagers who came to visit and listen to him discuss the situation of the resistance war. He inspected the militia's training, attended and spoke at youth and women's meetings. On his trips to the grassroots, he visited each commune, met with each official, listened to the people's concerns and aspirations, and offered detailed advice on all matters and the leadership style of the commune officials. He often reminded them: The Party must be close to the masses, avoiding bureaucracy and authoritarianism. Party members must be exemplary and leading figures in all work. He also frequently reminded officials of the four words: "elite troops, streamlined administration" (For the nation to be strong, the army must be elite, and the administrative apparatus must be streamlined). Many commune officials did not fully understand the meaning of the word "revolution," and therefore committed "childish left-wing" mistakes, but they were all reminded by the comrade in a reasonable and empathetic manner. The comrade said that cholera killed some people, but left-wing extremism killed the entire revolutionary cause.

Upon returning to his hometown, wherever he went, he urged cadres not to destroy temples, pagodas, or cut down ancient trees. In a village in Do Luong district, seeing the people demolishing the Phat Ke pagoda (built around the Ly Dynasty), he explained: "Revolution is not like that. Revolution doesn't destroy everything old to make way for something new. Revolution must protect the architectural and sculptural works of our ancestors. Revolution must respect the people's freedom of religion." Seeing the ancient banyan tree at Dong Tuong pagoda (Quynh Doi, Quynh Luu) being cut down, he criticized: "The banyan tree and the fig tree are relics of our village's origins. Anyone who travels far to the village, even 10 kilometers away, can see them. Memories of our homeland, love for our homeland, and deep attachment to our homeland begin from there. Why are you cutting them down? Ancient trees provide shade for the village and enhance its beauty. How can you bear to destroy them? You must immediately stop these wrongful acts."

On each visit to his hometown, he often emphasized the slogan of unity. At the 1947 Party Congress of Quynh Luu district, there was a heated debate about some left-wing tendencies in several communes. The Provincial Party Committee member in charge of the Party Secretary of Dien, Yen, and Quynh districts expressed an opinion leaning towards defending these tendencies, suggesting that they should act recklessly without fear... Comrade Ho Tung Mau criticized this, saying: That way of thinking is wrong; it will not prevent mistakes, but rather allow them to develop further. He emphasized: The revolution must unite all forces, awaken the patriotism of all people, and unleash the talents and strength of everyone to bring the resistance and national construction to victory.

From the beginning of his revolutionary activities until he became a leading cadre, Comrade Ho Tung Mau was always a very humble and unassuming person. His style of work involved gathering, persuading, and organizing the masses, setting an example in his daily thoughts and actions. His humility and simplicity, coupled with his profound respect for the people, enabled him to skillfully perceive the sentiments and aspirations of the masses, and to keenly grasp the issues arising from their daily lives. Thanks to this, Comrade Ho Tung Mau successfully addressed and resolved many important tasks with great results. As a leader, he set a very concrete example of unwavering adherence to principles and dynamic creativity in practical application. These admirable qualities left a profound impression on cadres and the people...

Mr. Ho Tung Mau and Uncle Ho

Throughout his revolutionary career, Comrade Ho Tung Mau was repeatedly captured and imprisoned by the enemy under the harsh and brutal regime in imperialist prisons. However, with the unwavering and indomitable will of a communist soldier, he always remained steadfast, optimistic, and loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, and the people. Comrade Ho Tung Mau is a shining example of revolutionary morality. He showed deep affection for his family, often suppressing his personal pain to stand firm and follow the path he had chosen. He was close to his homeland, sharing with a sense of responsibility. He was attentive and caring towards his colleagues. He was dedicated and self-sacrificing in his work… Wherever he was and whatever the circumstances, he always demonstrated an indomitable will, unwavering loyalty to the country, and devotion to the people; he displayed outstanding and comprehensive capabilities in politics, military affairs, and culture. Comrade Ho Tung Mau's ethics, character, and conduct embody many cultural values, which remain relevant to this day and have a profound educational impact on our generations today and in the future. His name is a source of pride for the Party, the country, his homeland, and the Vietnamese nation.

Throughout his career, wherever he was and whatever position he held, Comrade Ho Tung Mau always held the warmest and most heartfelt feelings for his homeland, Nghe An province and Quynh Luu district. He dedicated much time to visiting and offered many valuable contributions to the Party Committee and people of Nghe An to build a more developed, civilized, and prosperous homeland.

Comrade Ho Tung Mau is the pride of the people of Nghe An, a son who brought glory to his homeland and the Ho family lineage. Proud to be the birthplace of Comrade Ho Tung Mau, the Party Committee and people of Nghe An always uphold the spirit of unity, democracy, creativity, and innovation, successfully implementing socio-economic development tasks, first and foremost achieving the goals and tasks set forth by the 18th Provincial Party Congress, contributing together with the whole country to successfully implement the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress, gradually building Nghe An into an increasingly prosperous, beautiful, and civilized homeland, worthy of its status as a land of outstanding people and revolutionary spirit – the homeland of Comrade Ho Tung Mau and other exemplary revolutionary predecessors.

HO PHUC HOP

(Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department)