Proud and moved to welcome Uncle Ho back to his hometown twice

(Baonghean.vn) - 60 years have passed, but Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que still clearly remembers the times Uncle Ho visited his hometown, and those memories have become the pride of a son of Lang Sen.

Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que's house is located in the middle of Sen 4 hamlet, Kim Lien commune (Nam Dan), surrounded by a shady garden with fragrant flowers and fruits carried by the wind. In front of the porch, the owner placed a wooden bench and a table and chairs for old friends to sit and chat, and the walls were filled with photos of the years of revolutionary activities.

Mr. Que enlarged the photos taken with Uncle Ho during his two visits to his hometown and placed them in the most prominent position. He shared: “Time flies so fast, 60 years have passed but it seems like just yesterday. Uncle Ho’s facial expressions, words, smiles, gait and gestures are still imprinted in my memory. Every time I remember them, my heart is filled with emotion, excitement and I miss him endlessly.”

In 1956, after several years of participating in the resistance war against the French, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que was transferred to the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, then continued to be assigned to the Nam Dan District Party Committee Office. In mid-June 1957, Mr. Que received a private notice from his superiors about Kim Lien preparing to welcome a special guest in the next few days. Although he did not know who the guest was, Mr. Que and everyone prepared as carefully as possible, in which the preparation and decoration of the guest house was the top priority.

Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que introduces photos of Uncle Ho visiting his hometown. Photo: Cong Kien

The announced schedule is that after visiting the army unit stationed at the foot of Dun Mountain (Van Dien Commune), guests will return to visit Lang Sen.

At about 7:30 a.m. on June 16, 1957, the people of Sen Village welcomed an old man with white hair and beard, a graceful figure, a simple demeanor, and something very close and familiar. As soon as the old man got out of the car, the people shouted: "Uncle Ho! Uncle Ho!" and rushed to welcome Uncle Ho in tears of emotion...

Also in the delegation were comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh - Secretary of the Inter-Zone IV Party Committee and comrades Nguyen Truong Khoat (Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee), Nguyen Sy Que (Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee).

Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que led Uncle Ho and everyone to the most spacious house, stopped in front of the door, Uncle Ho asked: "What house is this, uncle?". Mr. Que replied: "Sir! This is a guest house!". Uncle Ho immediately said: "This house is for guests, I am the host so I will not go in."

Then Uncle Ho turned to the entrance of his house - the house where he was born and spent his childhood. Arriving at the gate, looking up at the signboard with the words "President Ho's House" attached above, Uncle Ho said to everyone: "You wrote it wrong, this is not President Ho's house, but the house of Vice-Chancellor Nguyen Sinh Sac. Because Uncle also has a sister and brother." Hearing Uncle Ho say that, Mr. Que and the descendants of the Nguyen Sinh family all apologized and promised to correct it according to Uncle Ho's wishes.

Entering the yard, Uncle Ho looked over the house, then walked back and forth in front of the porch, his face showing a pensive expression, as if he was thinking about something very important. Suddenly, Uncle Ho stopped, pointed at the house and said: "This is not my house, guys!"

Mr. Que explained to Uncle Ho that this house was where Mrs. Thanh (Uncle Ho's sister) lived in her last years, and the house of the Vice-Chancellor was sold due to the changes of the times and has not been found yet.

Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que stood next to Uncle Ho during his second visit to his hometown (1961). Photo courtesy

Uncle nodded in sympathy and walked out. When he reached the fence, he stopped and continued: "The gate of my house used to open this way, not the other way." Understanding Uncle's intention, Mr. Que bent down to pull out two fence posts to step out, and then Uncle also stepped over to go outside.

Uncle turned back and asked: "Is Coc Well still there, Uncle?", Mr. Que replied: "Sir! Coc Well is still there!". "Is the forge still there?" - Uncle asked again, Mr. Que quickly replied: "Yes, sir, Mr. Dien's forge is still there!".

Hearing that, Uncle Ho quickly walked towards Mr. Dien's house, at that moment Mr. Dien also came out from the alley to welcome Uncle Ho. Mr. Dien happily said: "Hello Uncle!", Uncle Ho also said: "Hello, old man!", the two happily and joyfully greeted each other. Mr. Dien said: "Sir, do you still remember who I am?". Uncle Ho looked at him with a friendly gaze and said: "Is that you, Dien?".

The blacksmith from Sen Village was moved, hugged Uncle Ho and cried, his emotions overflowed, everyone who witnessed it also shed tears. Moved by Uncle Ho's love, far away from home, more than 50 years later he had the chance to return, but he still recognized his childhood friend... Taking advantage of the time, Uncle Ho asked about his family life, children, the conversation was short but very warm and friendly.

Uncle Ho continued walking towards the Nguyen Sinh family temple. He stood silently before the altar, then lit incense for his ancestors. Once again, his eyes filled with tears. At this time, many relatives had arrived. Uncle Ho asked about their families and encouraged everyone to work hard, take care of their children's education, and serve the revolution in the future.

From the family church, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que led Uncle Ho to the stadium, where the people of Sen Village were waiting to meet the beloved President, a son of the homeland. Standing under the banyan tree, looking at the people, Uncle Ho recited the following verse: "The homeland is important, the love is great/ Those fifty years, how much love".

Then Uncle Ho shared that it had been more than 50 years since he returned to his hometown. When people return home after being away from home for a long time, they often feel happy and sad, but Uncle Ho only felt happy and not sad.

The banyan tree and stadium of Kim Lien commune - where Uncle Ho met and talked with the people during his two visits to his hometown. Photo: Cong Kien

Because when Uncle Ho left, the country was still a slave, now that he returned, the country was independent, our people were free, and life had changed a lot. Uncle Ho discussed and asked about business and production, encouraged people to be active and make every effort to build Kim Lien into a model commune, and then Uncle Ho returned to visit.

The people were extremely excited and happy, many cried, cried because of joy, because they met the beloved Father of the whole nation, cried because of his closeness and simplicity. Uncle took out 5 packs of Ba Dinh tea and some candies from his bag, told Mr. Que to save the tea for the elderly, and the candies for the children, then got in the car and waved goodbye.

After Uncle Ho passed away, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que mobilized his descendants, the people of Lang Sen, the government, and organizations of Kim Lien commune to coordinate in finding ways to restore the garden and house of Mr. Pho Bang Nguyen Sinh Sac. The old house was redeemed, all the household items were found, the gate was reopened in the right direction, and the plants in the garden were replanted in their original positions according to the memories of the village elders.

Within 3-4 years, with all their efforts and respect for Uncle Ho, the people of Sen Village - Kim Lien restored the living space of Uncle Ho's family more than 50 years ago. Then, at the end of 1961, during his second visit to his hometown, he was extremely moved and praised and thanked those who had contributed to restoring Uncle Ho's family's house.

Now, enjoying a peaceful life, enjoying his old age with his grandchildren and friends, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que still remembers President Ho Chi Minh with emotion and respect. For him, the times he met Uncle Ho, especially the first time he visited his hometown, always remain in his mind, becoming a very sacred memory.

Cong Kien