I'm from the South and I'm visiting President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at the national flag.

In a lifetime, not everyone has the honor of going to Hanoi to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Regardless of who they are—businessman or laborer; artist or poor; ordinary citizen or high-ranking official—each visit to the Mausoleum evokes a shared feeling: respectful reverence and admiration for the revered spirit of President Ho Chi Minh.

We—the people of the South, the impregnable fortress of our Fatherland—share that same sacred and moving feeling.

Soldiers march to the Mausoleum to perform the flag-raising ceremony every morning. Photo: Mai Thắng

A new day begins at the historic Ba Dinh Square with the raising of the national flag at 6:00 AM. From 5:50 AM, the loudspeakers in the square announce: “It is time for the flag-raising ceremony. We request that all people in the square area cease all activities and turn towards the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for the solemn ceremony.” Immediately, all the people exercising in the area turn their faces towards the Mausoleum and stand respectfully.

The majestic music of "Marching Under the Military Banner" resounded throughout Hanoi: "The dawn has broken, the mountains are green and far away, the vast and peaceful homeland." A platoon of guards in neat uniforms, powerful and carrying rifles, marched to the flagpole and performed the flag-raising ceremony.

Blending in with the crowds of Hanoi, we headed towards the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The solemn and majestic sound of the national flag evoked a profound and sacred feeling.“The Vietnamese army marches on, united in heart to save the nation, their footsteps resounding on the long, arduous road…”From their very veins surged an boundless love for Vietnam. In that moment, each person experienced different emotions, but a common feeling was one of profound gratitude to the national hero Ho Chi Minh. They silently thanked him for bringing peace and happiness to Vietnam. They were proud of the Vietnamese people, who were unwavering and resilient in their struggle against foreign invaders, persistent in building a peaceful nation, and loyal to their friends around the world.

The flag-raising ceremony is performed every morning. Photo: Mai Thắng

It was even more moving when the stream of people began to enter the Mausoleum to pay their respects to President Ho Chi Minh. Thousands of footsteps climb the steps every day, millions visit every week, hundreds of international delegations from all continents visit President Ho Chi Minh every year, but all are quiet, gentle, and slow as they walk around the President's coffin. In that solemn, sacred silence, there was the choked sob of a young teacher; there were the tears of emotion of a young volunteer. And we – naval soldiers returning from Truong Sa and DK1 – raised our hands to salute him, our eyes welling up with tears of boundless emotion.

The flag-lowering ceremony began at 8 PM that day. The loudspeaker announced: “It is time for the flag-lowering ceremony. We request that all people in the square cease all activity and turn towards the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for the solemn ceremony.” Without being told, thousands of Hanoi residents and visitors spontaneously moved behind the third patch of grass, standing solemnly with their eyes fixed on the Mausoleum. The flag-lowering ceremony began. The majestic melody of “Uncle Ho Still Marches With Us” emanated from the Mausoleum. A platoon of guards in neat uniforms marched from a distance to the flagpole and performed the flag-lowering ritual.

Mr. Tran Van Loi, a former Major and officer at the DK1 offshore platform, originally from Luu Son, Do Luong, Nghe An, shared: “This isn't my first time visiting President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, but every time I walk around his coffin, I always feel a profound and sacred emotion. Each person experiences different emotions, but we all share a common feeling of reverence and gratitude towards President Ho Chi Minh. Every time I visit his mausoleum, my pride and love for my country grow stronger.”

In the South, we remember Uncle Ho with endless longing.

Raising the national flag at Ba Dinh Square is not only a national ceremony, but also an expression of the entire nation's affection for President Ho Chi Minh. This ceremony has become a source of pride for the people of Hanoi, a noble symbol of the Vietnamese people's reverence for their country, and a source of pride for the Vietnamese people in the eyes of the international community.

Flag-raising ceremony. Photo: Mai Thắng

Every day, the people of Hanoi and visitors from all over witness the solemn and sacred flag-raising and lowering ceremony at Ba Dinh Square, but not everyone knows exactly how many soldiers are in the contingent performing that ceremony. Some say it's a large army, others say it's a platoon of guards, but almost no one knows precisely how many people are in that contingent.

An officer from the Mausoleum Command said that the daily flag-raising and lowering ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum consists of 34 soldiers. This was the first contingent of the Vietnam People's Army, whose predecessor was the Vietnam Liberation Propaganda Team. The 34 soldiers performing the flag-raising and lowering ceremony have sacred significance. They were the first soldiers of our army, founded and trained by President Ho Chi Minh. These soldiers, bearing the noble title of "Ho Chi Minh's Soldiers," were always present beside President Ho Chi Minh, both during his birth, military campaigns, and battles, and after his passing.

Hundreds of people doing morning exercises stand at attention and salute the flag in front of the square. Photo: Mai Thắng

One thing that not everyone is aware of is the use of music in the morning flag-raising ceremony, specifically the song "Marching Under the Military Banner." The lyrics urge the troops onward:“The dawn has broken / the green mountains stretch far into the distance / our vast and peaceful homeland... / countless hearts beat in unison with a thousand songs amidst the waves of rice / stars twinkle on the military banner.”This is the trumpet sound heralding a new day with the morning sun, urging and inspiring the hearts of the Vietnamese people to live and act according to Uncle Ho's teachings and to dedicate their youthful energy to the country...

The day at the historic Ba Dinh Square concluded with the stirring melody of "Uncle Ho Still Marches with Us." The powerful and heartfelt lyrics seemed to urge over 90 million Vietnamese people on the path to building a prosperous nation.“Tonight, on the march to the front lines, countless troops advance along the path of Uncle Ho / The entire army follows Him like a rushing waterfall / Let us raise high the red flag that Uncle Ho bestowed upon us…”

Day or night, far out at sea or on deserted islands, in cities or in rural areas, millions of people marched as one, following the path chosen by the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. Although the road ahead may be fraught with obstacles, a battlefield filled with sacrifice, the Vietnamese people were determined, their resolve unwavering, and the Vietnamese Party shone with glorious splendor. During the war, the Vietnamese people united and marched to the front lines, "Charging forward to liberate the cities and sweep away the invading forces."

In peacetime, we unite in the struggle to build the country, eradicate poverty, increase wealth, and build a prosperous nation. Although Uncle Ho has passed away, he remains in the hearts of every person. His great ideas about national liberation and building a "decent and beautiful" country will forever accompany the Vietnamese people.

We returned to the South, the impregnable fortress of our Fatherland, filled with pride for Hanoi, pride for the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and admiration for the land and people of Hanoi, a city with a thousand years of cultural heritage. In my heart, I heard the song "The Moon over Ba Dinh Square." The lyrics of the song..."I, a child from the South, came to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum / and saw the vast bamboo groves in the mist / tomorrow I will return to the South and tears will flow / tomorrow I will return to the South and remember Uncle Ho without ceasing."It permeates the liver and intestines.