Inauguration of the Monument "Uncle Ho with the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands"

The monument: "Uncle Ho with the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands" is a work of cultural, historical and humanistic significance typical of the people of the 5 Central Highlands provinces and the whole country.

On the evening of December 9, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended the inauguration ceremony of the “Uncle Ho with the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands” Monument located in Pleiku city, Gia Lai province. Also attending the ceremony were former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and leaders of many ministries, central agencies, the Central Highlands Steering Committee and provinces in the Central Highlands region.

Stemming from the aspirations, feelings and wishes of the ethnic groups in the Central Highlands, in 2008, the Central Party Secretariat agreed to build a monument "Uncle Ho with the ethnic groups in the Central Highlands" in Pleiku - the place where the Southern Ethnic Minorities Congress was held in 1946.



Monument "Uncle Ho with the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands" at Dai Doan Ket Square.

Construction began in October 2010, after 2 years of construction, the project has just been completed. The statue of Uncle Ho, modeled by sculptor Pham Van Dua, is cast in bronze, 10.8m high, placed on a 4.5m high pedestal, weighing 16 tons, located in the Great Unity Square, 12.5ha wide.

The image of Uncle Ho is shown in a standing position, communicating with the people of the Central Highlands. Behind and on both sides of the statue of Uncle Ho is a relief made of natural stone, 58m long, 11m high, running in an arc with many lotus petals, vividly depicting the process of living, fighting, building and developing of the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands, the traditional cultural beauty of the people such as communal houses, rice wine, gongs, patterns... are stylized.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated: The inauguration ceremony of the monument “Uncle Ho with the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands” is an event of great political and cultural significance. This is a project of cultural, historical and humanistic significance typical of the people of the 5 Central Highlands provinces and is a common joy for the whole country.

The General Secretary recalled that during his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh did not have the opportunity to visit the Central Highlands, but deep in his heart he always felt a deep longing and love for the ethnic groups in the Central Highlands.

In 1946, when the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was newly born, it had to face countless difficulties, the fate of the nation was in a precarious situation, amidst the worries of fighting against enemies at home and abroad, Uncle Ho still took the time and affection to write a letter to the Congress of Southern Ethnic Minorities held in Pleiku, on April 19, 1946.

In Uncle Ho's letter, there was a passage that read: "Today, the people are having a great time, gathering together as a family. It is a pity that the road is far away, so I cannot attend the Congress. Although I am far away, my heart and the Government are still close to the people... The Kinh or Tho, Muong or Man, Jrai or Ede, Xe Dang or Ba Na and other ethnic minorities are all blood brothers... We live and die together, share joy and sorrow together... Rivers may dry up, mountains may wear away, but our solidarity will never diminish. We are determined to join forces to maintain our freedom and independence."

The General Secretary emphasized that, keeping in mind Uncle Ho's teachings, the people of the Central Highlands always carry in their hearts the image of Uncle Ho as a spiritual support, overcoming all difficulties and hardships with the whole country to complete the cause of completely liberating the South, unifying the country and today are carrying out the renovation process towards socialism, contributing step by step to making the Central Highlands increasingly prosperous, the people's lives are constantly improving...

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong believes that, with the tradition of solidarity, self-reliance and self-strengthening, Gia Lai province and the Central Highlands provinces in general will continue to move forward, achieve many achievements and make even greater contributions to the revolutionary cause of the entire Party and the entire nation.

The General Secretary hopes that the Party Committee, government and people of Gia Lai will do a good job of managing, preserving and exploiting the Uncle Ho monument effectively, contributing to educating the revolutionary tradition of the Party and the nation, educating the great example of Uncle Ho, especially for the younger generations, thereby fostering patriotism and promoting the revolutionary tradition of the indomitable Central Highlands, of civilized and heroic Vietnam.

The General Secretary affirmed: “We vow to forever follow Uncle Ho's example, follow Uncle Ho's words, and follow the path that Uncle Ho has outlined, striving to build a Vietnam with “rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization, on par with friendly countries in the world”.

Right after the ceremony was an art program called “Welcoming Uncle Ho back to the Central Highlands”. The program consisted of 4 chapters: “The sun on the H'rong peak”, “The great merit of heaven and sea”, “The Kônia tree only drinks from one source” and “Uncle Ho leads the song of solidarity” highlighting Uncle Ho’s feelings for the people of the Central Highlands as well as the feelings of the people of the Central Highlands for Uncle Ho; the spirit of great solidarity among ethnic groups in fighting as well as building and defending the Fatherland today…/.

(According to VOV) -LH