Opening of the thematic exhibition 'Communist Le Hong Phong and the days in the hell on earth of Con Dao'

On the afternoon of August 28, at the Memorial Site of General Secretary Le Hong Phong in Hung Thong Commune, Hung Nguyen District, the Con Dao National Monuments Conservation Center coordinated with the Nghe An Monuments Management Board to organize the opening of the thematic exhibition "Communist Le Hong Phong and the years in the hell on earth of Con Dao".

Attending the program were members of the Provincial Party Executive Committee: Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Vo Van Dung - Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department; Tran Thi My Hanh - Director of the Department of Culture and Sports; Nguyen Thuy Nga - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Dao district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and leaders of the Con Dao National Monument Conservation Center.

Delegates attending the program. Photo: Thanh Le

Con Dao - a sacred land, home to the densest prison system in Indochina built by the French colonialists to detain communist prisoners and Vietnamese patriots who opposed the colonial regime. During the French colonial period, Con Dao prison imprisoned and tortured hundreds of thousands of revolutionary soldiers and Vietnamese patriots.

Before the opening ceremony, delegates offered flowers and incense to pay tribute to General Secretary Le Hong Phong. Photo: Thanh Le

This place was once considered a "hell on earth" with the brutal prison regime of colonialism, but it is an immortal symbol of the indomitable will and determination of Nghe Tinh revolutionary soldiers in particular and thousands of outstanding Vietnamese people, including comrade Le Hong Phong.

Comrade Nguyen Thuy Nga - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Dao district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province spoke at the ceremony. Photo: Thanh Le

Comrade Le Hong Phong was a talented military man, an outstanding intellectual, an outstanding leader of the Party who devoted his whole life to the Vietnamese revolution and the revolutionary movement in the South.

During his years of working abroad, in the country and during his time of hard labor and torture in the hell on earth of Con Dao, comrade Le Hong Phong demonstrated his steadfast, indomitable spirit and unwavering loyalty to the Party's ideals.

Comrade Tran Thi My Hanh - Director of the Department of Culture and Sports spoke at the ceremony. Photo: Thanh Le

The life and revolutionary career of more than 20 years of the late General Secretary Le Hong Phong are associated with many places, but the two lands of Nghe An and Con Dao have special significance, being the places that preserve images and memories of his life.

Nghe An is the birthplace, the place where Le Hong Phong's revolutionary will and ideals were nurtured and formed. Con Dao is where he was imprisoned, where he breathed his last and where he rested in peace.

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. Photo: Thanh Le

The days of exile and torture in Con Dao could not subdue the spirit of communist Le Hong Phong. On the contrary, this land also contributed to proving his tireless work, strong will, and steadfast loyalty to the revolutionary ideal, to national independence, and to the happiness of the people.

With 40 years of age and nearly 20 years of continuous and enthusiastic revolutionary activities, the name of comrade Le Hong Phong is associated with the heroic history of our nation. His life is a shining example of revolutionary ethics, deep love for family, love for country, and lifelong sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and the happiness of the people.

The thematic exhibition “Communist Le Hong Phong and the years in the hell on earth of Con Dao” is one of the activities with profound political and practical significance to celebrate the country's important anniversaries, especially the 120th anniversary of the birth and 80th anniversary of the death of General Secretary Le Hong Phong in Nghe An province.

Con Dao district presents souvenirs to Nghe An province. Photo: Thanh Le

With more than 200 valuable documents and images, the exhibition recreated the history of Con Dao prison, the revolutionary struggle tradition from 1862 to 1975; the role of comrade Le Hong Phong at Con Dao prison and the development achievements of Con Dao. Through this exhibition, people will better understand the life and revolutionary career of the late General Secretary Le Hong Phong.

This contributes to educating patriotism and revolutionary traditions for generations, especially the young generation - those who inherit the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

Delegates visit the exhibition. Photo: Thanh Le

In addition to carrying out the political and professional tasks of the two units, the activity also contributes to promoting tourism potential, promoting the preservation and promotion of heritage values ​​in general and Con Dao Relic Site in particular. The exhibition will run until September 6, 2022./.

Thanh Le