Remember the memories with you forever

Full of love
Meeting former female youth volunteer Nguyen Thi Lan (born 1944), in Ben Thuy ward (Vinh city), recalling the story of meeting Uncle Ho 55 years ago, Ms. Lan told it enthusiastically and in detail.

She said: “I was lucky to meet Uncle Ho twice, the first time with nearly 200 outstanding union members and cadres in the capital at the end of 1967. That time, Uncle Ho could not meet each person so he just stood there waving his hand and smiling warmly instead of saying hello, that was enough to make us feel happy and excited. The second time I met Uncle Ho was in early 1969, this time I was lucky that Uncle Ho took the time to talk to me.”

According to former Youth Volunteer Nguyen Thi Lan, in early 1969, she was on the list of 23 delegates from Military Region 4 who went to the capital to wish Uncle Ho good health. Entering the Presidential Palace, General Vo Nguyen Giap opened the door, Uncle Ho stepped out, and everyone rushed to hug him like children and grandchildren returning home after a long time away.

The same was true for Him, holding each person’s hand and asking questions as if welcoming his close, blood-related grandchildren after many years apart. His gentle voice and intimate gestures made everyone moved and choked up…

Mrs. Lan was honored to be one of the 7 people chosen to report on her achievements to Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho asked her about her life and fighting in the unit and was especially interested in the hardships and fierceness of the resistance war against the US to save the country and the sacrifices of the Youth Volunteers. Then Uncle Ho praised Captain Nguyen Thi Lan: "Wow! She is a small person but has a great ambition!"

General Vo Nguyen Giap informed Uncle that the meeting time was over and invited him to go home and rest to preserve his health. Uncle said that tomorrow he would admit his shortcomings to the Politburo, and today he would meet the delegation of fellow countrymen from Military Region 4 for a while longer. Everyone was moved, wiped away the tears streaming down their faces with handkerchiefs, and took souvenir photos with Uncle...

Later, although life was still difficult and complicated, former Youth Volunteer Nguyen Thi Lan always kept in mind the memories of meeting Uncle Ho twice. That helped her always strive to overcome difficulties and challenges in life.

Sharing the honor of having met Uncle Ho, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nham (born 1942) still keeps the photo taken with Uncle Ho and considers it a "treasure".

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“Life has many joys and sorrows, but the moment I met Uncle Ho is one I can never forget. Nearly 60 years have passed, but that moment seems to still stand still. His warm words, loving eyes, and intimate gestures have urged me to live well, live happily, live healthily, and do many useful things for the Party and the State...”.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nham

In 1968, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nham, as Head of the Propaganda Department of the Quynh Luu District Party Committee, was assigned by the Provincial Party Committee to join the provincial working delegation to Thai Binh to learn high-yield rice cultivation techniques. After the training session, the delegation was able to visit the capital Hanoi, visit the Presidential Palace and, most happily, meet Uncle Ho. "While sitting in the meeting room, Uncle Ho suddenly entered through the back door, still with a simple demeanor and full of love," Ms. Nham recalled.

Uncle Ho talked about the topic of rice cultivation techniques, he gave many instructions, the general idea was that, when studying in Thai Binh, we need to remember that Thai Binh land is different from Nghe An land, and Thai Binh people also have different points compared to Nghe An people. Therefore, we cannot put Thai Binh land on Nghe An land, but must be diligent and creative to soon bring Nghe An to have many units achieving 5 tons/ha like Thai Binh.

“Later, through many different positions, every time I made an important decision, I remembered Uncle Ho's advice to consider and weigh it, always thinking of ways to get the best results. For me, Uncle Ho's advice still follows me...”, Ms. Nham shared.
Uncle Ho's words still echo in my heart
Mr. La Dinh Tham is a retired teacher, currently residing in Mon Son commune (Con Cuong). At the age of nearly 80, he still retains the memory of meeting Uncle Ho. At that time, Mr. Tham was studying at Nghe An Mountainous Pedagogical School, where Uncle Ho visited during his second visit to his hometown (1961).

More than 62 years have passed, but Mr. Tham still remembers clearly the day Uncle Ho visited the school: "When Uncle Ho entered the hall, everyone was moved and excited, and there was a long applause. When talking to the students of the school, Uncle Ho called each student of the ethnic groups to stand up one by one.

When I arrived at the Dan Lai ethnic group, I was the only one. Seeing that, Uncle Ho was surprised and asked: “Why is there only you in the Dan Lai ethnic group? In the future, you must try to impart knowledge so that more Dan Lai people can go to school, especially girls. That day, I was one of three ethnic minority students who received a gift from Uncle Ho, which was a bamboo vase.”

Following Uncle Ho's advice, after graduating from school, young teacher La Dinh Tham returned to his hometown, volunteering to go to schools with many Dan Lai ethnic children in Chau Khe and Mon Son communes (Con Cuong) to "sow letters". That journey was extremely difficult, because the lives of the Dan Lai people were still poor and backward, not even enough to eat, let alone study. Teacher Tham and his colleagues crossed waterfalls and forests to remote villages and hamlets to mobilize the Dan Lai children to go to class...

As for Meritorious Artist Song Thao, now over 80 years old, he still remembers the times he met Uncle Ho and sang for him. “I met Uncle Ho three times, each time was a very profound memory, every word he said I kept in my mind. All became provisions for me to firmly step forward in life as well as in my singing career, urging me to overcome many challenges and obstacles…”.

As a member of the Nghe An Art Troupe, Meritorious Artist Song Thao performed for Uncle Ho during his second visit to his hometown (1961) and the Northern Region Music and Dance Festival (1965). The third time was after the Music and Dance Festival, Song Thao and two other singers were assigned to stay and sing for Uncle Ho. That time, she sang the ferry song for Uncle Ho, then Uncle Ho had a friendly conversation with her and gave her detailed instructions, which the Nghe An female singer always remembered...

There are many, many people who were fortunate enough to meet and work with Uncle Ho, and have profound memories of the Father of the nation. On his birthday, memories of the past come flooding back with emotion…