The "Heart" of the Red City

(Baonghean) - Only when standing on the top of Chung Mountain in the middle of a sunny day in May, looking at the bustling city with high-rises, low-roofs and bustling streets spreading out like concentric waves, did I somewhat understand the intentions of those who chose this place as a "highlight" to place a project rich in political and cultural significance in Uncle Ho's hometown. Ho Chi Minh Square is not only a destination, but also a place that crystallizes traditional and present values, raising the stature of a class I urban area in the future.

Mr. Phan Xuan Ngu, former Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh Square Project, former Head of the Square Management Board from 2003 to 2010, said: “Ho Chi Minh Square is a symbol of the heroic Red City”. I leisurely strolled with him around the square area of ​​more than 11 hectares, climbed the winding stairs leading to the top of Chung Mountain (simulated) now covered with shady trees, and listened to the sharing of a man of “ancient and modern” age.

He has been retired since 2010, meaning that he has not been associated with Ho Chi Minh Square in his state management position for 5 years, but he said that he still finds a very special, very familiar attachment. Every morning and afternoon, he and his young grandchild walk to the square, joining the flow of people from everywhere looking for this precious community space in the heart of the city. He breathes deeply into his chest the familiar atmosphere, looks at each tree, each row of bricks... He has his own special stories about Ho Chi Minh Square...

Ceremony to honor Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam folk songs held at Ho Chi Minh Square. Photo: Sy Minh

The story is special right from the days when the idea of ​​building a cultural and spiritual project in Uncle Ho's hometown was initiated. "The person who inspired and was very enthusiastic and determined about this project was Mr. Ho Xuan Hung, former Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Since 1997, in many forums and even in side conversations, he has expressed his earnest wish for a large-scale, majestic project to commemorate the contributions of President Ho Chi Minh right in his hometown. The idea received high consensus from the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, the difficulty is to choose a location to honor that large-scale project, and conversely, the project must create a highlight value for Vinh City on its future development path". He said that when it was brought up for discussion, there were up to 7 locations in the city that were "chosen", but in the end, after considering geopolitical, geo-economic factors and convenient transportation and trade, the current location was chosen to build Ho Chi Minh Square.

The process of site clearance for the entire area of ​​over 11 hectares went quite smoothly. 325 households and more than 10 state agencies and units located on Truong Thi and Ho Tung Mau streets all unanimously agreed with this humane and meaningful work. "The site clearance process for the construction of Ho Chi Minh Square can set a record in the field of site clearance, in just over 2 months it was completed and handed over to the construction units" - Mr. Phan Xuan Ngu recalled.

More specifically, from the idea of ​​building a provincial cultural project, the Ho Chi Minh Square project was approved by the Politburo as a national cultural project, containing and spreading the humanistic ideology of President Ho Chi Minh, representing the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese people. Construction began on May 19, 2000, exactly 3 years later, on May 19, 2003, the massive project with hundreds of large and small items was completed, ensuring progress and quality.

According to Mr. Ngu, the quality and progress of the project are absolutely guaranteed, not because of the commitment in the document, but because of the good wishes of the construction units, of each supervisor, each construction worker..., the desire to contribute to the project of the stature and strategy of the homeland. "For 3 consecutive years, the construction site has always been bustling with the sound of machinery and workers regardless of day or night. All towards the common goal: To soon complete Ho Chi Minh Square, to offer to the spirit of the beloved Father of the nation on his birthday", Mr. Phan Xuan Ngu gently flipped through his memories, his eyes filled with tears as he looked out into the vastness ahead. There, the lines of vehicles on Ho Tung Mau Street were bustling like a never-ending stream. And here, where he and I are standing, is the sturdy, peaceful Chung mountain peak, like a majestic support for the strong, dynamic development ahead.

Chung Mountain is over 11m high, modeled after Chung Mountain in his hometown of Nam Dan. The artificial mountain was built from over 1 million cubic meters of soil, taken from Nam Giang Commune (Nam Dan) - the resting place of Uncle Ho's mother, Hoang Thi Loan. It is not a natural mountain, but since when has the image of Chung Mountain in Ho Chi Minh Square become a peaceful memory, a peaceful place in the minds of urban children?

How many times have I walked on this peaceful mountain, looking at the rows of trees with lush green leaves and flowers all year round, and it is said that there are more than 300 species of trees from all 63 provinces and cities across the country planted here. Each species of tree and flower represents the remembrance and gratitude of millions of Vietnamese hearts towards Him!

And his image is still there, in the peaceful blue sky of his homeland. His image is engraved in the minds of the people of Nghe An, carved in a towering statue into which the talented sculptors of the three regions of North - Central - South have poured all their intelligence and talent.

In terms of figures, the statue of Uncle Ho in Ho Chi Minh Square is one of the most impressive in the country: 18 meters high including the pedestal, weighing 150 tons made of warm white granite from Binh Dinh province. The statue stands tall in the square, with a ceremonial yard 100 meters long, 80 meters wide, accommodating over 30,000 people, a granite platform, a 300-person auxiliary grandstand, a durable parade route that can accommodate large trucks and tanks. Harmoniously integrated into the solemn and majestic complex, the statue of President Ho Chi Minh has become a meaningful cultural and spiritual symbol not only for the people of Nghe An but also for the people of the whole country.

It is no coincidence that Ho Chi Minh Square is considered the “heart” of Vinh City. The project not only has political and cultural value, but is also a highlight of spiritual tourism on the Nghe heritage road, inviting visitors from all over to the sacred land of talented people. Millions of people have come here in the past 13 years, how many hearts have prayed to Him, how many tears have been shed because of emotion and happiness…

From Ho Chi Minh Square, the cultural and spiritual journey extends to Dung Quyet Mountain, with the temple of Emperor Quang Trung, then the ancient and mossy temple and pagoda circuit... All major events are held here, most recently, the grand Lotus Village Festival in 2015. Light, sound, smiles, moments... all blend together in a splendid atmosphere for the masses, at the foot of the sturdy and peaceful statue of Uncle Ho. Those major events, like thousands of children of Nghe An, I blend into the seemingly endless stream of people, standing in the hearts of the people and feeling many simple and great things. Simple and great, have created a great personality of the Vietnamese people...

Phuong Chi