Uncle Ho's letter to the people of Nghe An province (August 1949)

August 1949

Thank you, my compatriots, for giving me a precious gift on my birthday – the emulation achievements of the first 4 months of 1949.

Here are some words of friendly advice for my fellow countrymen:

• Competition must be practical, persistent and widespread.

• The militia must be well organized, well trained, and fully armed.

• Six districts have eliminated illiteracy. That's very good, the government will send a certificate of merit. We must help the other districts to finish this within this year.

• I am very pleased that every commune has women participating in the People's Council. Women must participate in the government more and more practically. 64 communes, that is one third of the province, have achieved close solidarity, consolidated government, and a strong militia, so the other two thirds must compete to do the same.

• The cooperative and labor-exchange movement must be developed and strengthened. Those in charge must be resourceful and clean. New life in the countryside must be further developed.

Our province has a fairly solid momentum to progress in all aspects. I hope that our people will continue to compete and help each other compete to make Nghe An a model province in all resistance and national construction work.

Best regards and best wishes

Ho Chi Minh

(Archival records of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee. Typewritten copy, 1949; printed in: Uncle Ho with his homeland Nghe Tinh, Nghe Tinh Provincial Party Committee History Research Board, 1977, pp. 38,39)