He remains amidst the myriad rhythms of his homeland.
May arrives like a sacred promise, drawing people from all corners of the country back to the land where President Ho Chi Minh was born. Amidst the fragrant lotus blossoms, through the years, Uncle Ho remains present in every step of their return, in the simple things of life, and in the stream of love that continues through generations today.
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Content:Thanh Quynh /Present:Hong ToaiMay 19, 2026
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May arrives like a sacred promise, drawing people from all corners of the country back to the land where President Ho Chi Minh was born. Amidst the fragrant lotus blossoms, through the years, Uncle Ho remains present in every step of their return, in the simple things of life, and in the stream of love that continues through generations today.
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Among the crowds paying respects to Uncle Ho today, Sam Ngoc Suong is a Thai man with many interesting qualities. Born in Ham village, Muong Ham commune, and raised amidst the mountains and forests of western Nghe An province, Suong soon broke away from the familiar paths of his village. Fluent in English and having worked abroad for many years as a manager of a chain of restaurants, this young man born in 1996 had at one point reached a life that many young people in the highlands dream of: a stable job, good income, and a modern environment.
But then, after all that, he chose to come back!
And this May, standing in the heart of Kim Lien, receiving the title of "Advanced Youth Following Uncle Ho's Teachings" at the provincial level for 2026, Suong became even more convinced that his choice was the right one.
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Amidst the fragrant lotus blossoms in full bloom in President Ho Chi Minh's homeland, the young man from Thai Nguyen recalled a turning point in his life in 2017 that significantly changed his perspective. At that time, Suong was one of eight student delegates from Nghe An participating in the "Following in the Footsteps of Vietnamese and Lao Leaders" journey organized by the Central Youth Union. This journey commemorated the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos. The trip, passing through historical sites and places marked by President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary activities, left a profound and lasting impression on the young man from the mountainous region.
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For the first time, the image of President Ho Chi Minh in his mind was no longer just the pages of books or history lessons. It was a man who overcame countless hardships to find a path to freedom for the nation. A man whose deepest concern for his compatriots, especially those in disadvantaged areas, grew stronger the further he went.
Perhaps that's why, many years later, after having traveled to new lands and had the opportunity to develop in a modern environment abroad, Sướng understood even more deeply the meaning of "returning home." Returning home is not just about going back to live in your hometown, but about bringing with you what you've learned to do something for your village.
In 2024, he began building a community-based tourism model in his hometown, connecting local youth to participate in tourism, creating jobs for the people, preserving traditional stilt houses, culture, and the increasingly rare Thai folk songs. As a member of the Youth Union Committee of Muong Ham commune, he diligently worked with young people to organize many activities to preserve ethnic culture.
For Sam Ngoc Suong, learning from President Ho Chi Minh began with very simple things: living a life that is useful to one's homeland, so that after traveling to distant horizons, one's heart will always be directed towards the place where one was born.
Not only Sam Ngoc Suong, but generations of people in Nghe An today are still keeping Uncle Ho in their hearts in their own unique ways. Some quietly cling to the sea and protect the forests, some bring knowledge back to their homeland to establish businesses, and some diligently preserve every folk song, every traditional dance, and every cultural value of their villages. Their love for Uncle Ho is evident in the way the people of Nghe An live, work, and build their homeland every day.
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For many, the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site is not just a "red address," but also a meeting place for hearts filled with love, respect, and gratitude for Uncle Ho. From the quiet crowds who come to offer incense every May, to young children hearing stories about his childhood for the first time, to young people finding inspiration for a beautiful life… all of this creates a special emotional current in the homeland of Lang Sen.
And from that love, there are people who silently nurture and preserve the greenery every day, keeping this space peaceful and dignified to welcome compatriots and tourists from all over the country.
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And Mr. Nguyen Xuan Quy (born in 1983) is one such person. For more than 10 years, he has been dedicated to caring for and trimming trees at the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site. His wife, Ms. Thai Thi Ha (born in 1984), has also devoted nearly 15 years to this work at the tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan, the mother of President Ho Chi Minh.
In May, amidst the orchards laden with grapefruit and rows of lush green trees bathed in sunlight, Mr. Quy nimbly prunes branches while simultaneously pulling long hoses to water each lawn and flowerbed. Maintaining the landscape at the historical site is a constant routine, with almost no fixed days off. Weekends and major holidays are the busiest times, so he and his colleagues must be on duty even more frequently to ensure the area remains green, clean, and dignified.
There were periods when the work became particularly difficult. For example, after typhoons No. 5 and No. 10 in 2025, nearly 1,000 trees in the historical site were broken or uprooted, many structures were severely damaged, and the landscape was seriously affected. Despite proactive prevention and control measures, the immense destructive power of the natural disaster still caused more than 10 structures to deteriorate. Immediately after the storms subsided, the leaders, officials, and workers of the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site concentrated all their resources on khắc phục the consequences. During those days, Mr. Quy was almost entirely dedicated to his work.
At the tomb of Lady Hoang Thi Loan, a historical site located on Dong Tranh mountain, Ms. Ha's work is even more arduous due to the steep and winding path. For nearly 15 years, she has become almost accustomed to the winding stone steps leading up the mountainside. Every day, she regularly climbs hundreds of stone steps to care for the greenery, clean the pathways, and keep the space clean, peaceful, and welcoming.
Perhaps it is precisely because of these humble and unassuming people that the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site has always maintained its special appeal to people nationwide. In 2025 alone, it welcomed over 88,000 groups with nearly 1.65 million visitors; including thousands of international visitors from 41 countries. More than 1,400 groups held solemn ceremonies at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial House, offering flowers and incense and reporting their achievements.
Behind those numbers are countless people silently preserving every tree, pathway, thatched roof, and artifact… so that Kim Lien is not only a place that preserves memories of President Ho Chi Minh, but also becomes a source connecting the beautiful feelings of millions of hearts towards him.
Even more significant, at the Kim Lien Special National Historical Site, the sacred flame of the "I Love My Homeland" journey in 2026, organized by the Central Youth Union, was lit at the Memorial House dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. From his hometown of Lang Sen, the torch traveled along meaningful routes, carrying with it the source of patriotism, beautiful ideals, and a spirit of dedication passed down through generations. And from the place where President Ho Chi Minh was born, that flame continues to be passed on, inspiring today's youth to live more responsibly, to love their homeland more, and to be ready to contribute to building the nation.
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Inspired by President Ho Chi Minh's teachings, over the years, the Party Committee, government, and people of Kim Lien commune have always strived to build a more prosperous homeland. After implementing the two-tiered local government model, Kim Lien commune is now formed from the former communes of Kim Lien, Xuan Hong, Hung Tien, Nam Giang, and Nam Cat. Despite facing many difficulties, the political system at the grassroots level has quickly stabilized its organizational structure, operating in an orderly, smooth, and effective manner.
Changes are clearly visible in every hamlet and village, on increasingly well-maintained rural roads, lush green gardens, and a gradually more modern pace of life. By 2025, the local economy is projected to grow at over 8.6%, with an average per capita income of 72 million VND per year. In its new development orientation, Kim Lien commune is focusing on becoming a modern new rural commune, where traditional values are preserved alongside contemporary development.
The joy is further extended by the recent decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognizing Kim Lien National Tourist Area in Nghe An province, covering an area of over 10,500 hectares, with the central area spanning nearly 8,946 hectares, encompassing the entire Kim Lien commune, part of Van An commune, and surrounding areas. A vast cultural and historical space is gradually unfolding, stemming from the very essence of President Ho Chi Minh's homeland. This is not only a significant milestone for President Ho Chi Minh's birthplace but also opens up great opportunities for developing cultural and historical tourism associated with the unique values of the Lang Sen region.
And perhaps, the most beautiful thing about Kim Lien commune today lies not only in the growth figures or new titles, but in the fact that, from their love for President Ho Chi Minh, this land is transforming day by day through the unity, responsibility, and aspirations of its people.