Proud and moved to have had the opportunity to welcome President Ho Chi Minh to my hometown twice.

(Baonghean.vn) - Sixty years have passed, yet Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que still vividly remembers the times President Ho Chi Minh visited his hometown, and those memories have become a source of pride for a son of Lang Sen village.

Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que's house is located in the middle of Sen 4 hamlet, Kim Lien commune (Nam Dan district), surrounded by shady gardens where the scent of flowers and fruits fills the air. In front of the house, the owner has placed a wooden platform and a set of tables and chairs for his elderly friends to sit and chat, while the walls are covered with photographs from his years of revolutionary activity.

Mr. Que enlarged the photos of himself with President Ho Chi Minh 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 feels like just yesterday. From his facial features, words, smile, gait, and gestures, President Ho Chi Minh's image is still vividly imprinted in my memory. Every time I think of him, my heart is filled with emotion and I miss him endlessly."

In 1956, after several years participating in the resistance war against the French, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que was transferred to the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, and then seconded to the Nam Dan District Party Committee Office. In mid-June 1957, Mr. Que received a private notification from his superiors to prepare Kim Lien to receive a special guest in a few days. Although he did not know who the guest was, Mr. Que and everyone else prepared as thoroughly as possible, with the preparation and decoration of the guesthouse being the top priority.

Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que introduces photographs of President Ho Chi Minh visiting his hometown. Photo: Cong Kien

The announced itinerary states that after visiting the military unit stationed at the foot of Mount Đụn (Vân Diên commune), visitors will return to visit Làng Sen village.

Around 7:30 a.m. on June 16, 1957, the people of Lang Sen village welcomed an elderly man with a long, white beard, a graceful figure, and a simple demeanor, who exuded an air of warmth and familiarity. As soon as the old man stepped out of the car, the villagers exclaimed, "Uncle Ho! Uncle Ho!" and rushed forward to greet him with overwhelming emotion...

Accompanying the delegation were Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh - Secretary of the Party Committee of Inter-regional Zone IV, and Comrades Nguyen Truong Khoat (Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee) and Nguyen Sy Que (Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee).

Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que led Uncle Ho and everyone to the most spacious house. Stopping at the door, Uncle Ho asked, "What kind of house is this, young man?" Mr. Que replied, "Uncle Ho, this is a guesthouse!" Uncle Ho then said, "This house is for guests. I am the host, so I will not go inside."

Then Uncle Ho turned towards the entrance to his house – the house where he was born and spent his childhood years. Standing before the gate, looking up at the sign above which read "Ho Chi Minh's House," he said to everyone: "You've written it wrong. This isn't Ho Chi Minh's house, but the house of Mr. Nguyen Sinh Sac, the former scholar. Because I also have a sister and a brother." Hearing Uncle Ho's words, Mr. Que and the descendants of the Nguyen Sinh family apologized and promised to correct it according to Uncle Ho's wishes.

Entering the yard, Uncle Ho glanced at the house, then paced back and forth on the porch, his face showing a pensive expression, as if he were thinking about something very important. Suddenly, he stopped, pointed to the house and said, "This is not my house, comrades!"

Mr. Que explained to Uncle Ho that this house was where Mrs. Thanh (Uncle Ho's older sister) lived in her final years, while the house of the former high-ranking official had been sold due to the upheavals of the times and could not be found again.

Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que stands next to President Ho Chi Minh during the latter's second visit to his hometown (1961). (Archival photo)

The President nodded in understanding and went out. He stopped at the fence and continued, "My gate used to open this way, not the other way." Understanding the President's meaning, Mr. Que bent down and pulled out two fence posts to step out, and then the President also stepped over to go outside.

The President turned back and asked, "Is the Cốc Well still there, young man?" Mr. Quế replied, "Yes, sir! The Cốc Well is still there!" "Is the blacksmith's forge still there?" the President asked again, and Mr. Quế quickly answered, "Yes, sir, Mr. Điền's forge is still there!"

Hearing this, Uncle Ho hurried towards Mr. Dien's house. Just then, Mr. Dien came out of the alley to greet him. Mr. Dien happily exclaimed, "Greetings, Uncle Ho!" Uncle Ho replied, "Greetings, sir!" The two men greeted each other cheerfully and joyfully. Mr. Dien said, "Uncle Ho, do you still remember who I am?" Uncle Ho looked at him with a friendly gaze and said, "Is that Dien?"

The blacksmith from Lang Sen village was deeply moved and embraced Uncle Ho, weeping with emotion. Everyone who witnessed it was moved to tears. They were touched by Uncle Ho's affection; after being away from his homeland for over 50 years, he still recognized his childhood friend. Taking advantage of the moment, Uncle Ho inquired about his family life and children. The conversation was brief but incredibly warm and intimate.

Uncle Ho continued walking towards the Nguyen Sinh family church. He stood silently before the altar, then lit incense for his ancestors, and once again his eyes welled up with tears. By this time, many relatives had arrived. Uncle Ho inquired about their family circumstances and encouraged everyone to work hard in production, take care of their children's education so that they could serve the revolution in the future.

From the ancestral church, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que led Uncle Ho to the stadium, where the people of Lang Sen village were waiting to meet their beloved President, a son of their homeland. Standing under the banyan tree, looking towards the villagers, Uncle Ho recited the poem: "Homeland, a place of profound meaning and deep affection / Fifty years have passed, and how much love there is."

Then Uncle Ho shared that it had been over 50 years since he last visited his hometown. People who have been away from home for so long usually feel a mix of joy and sadness upon returning, but he only felt joy, not sadness.

The banyan tree and stadium in Kim Lien commune - where President Ho Chi Minh 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 under colonial rule, but now that he has returned, the country is independent, the people are free, and life has changed significantly. Uncle Ho discussed and inquired about the people's work and production, encouraging them to be proactive and strive in all aspects to build Kim Lien into a model commune. At that time, Uncle Ho visited again.

The people were extremely excited and happy; many wept, weeping with joy at meeting the beloved Father of the nation, weeping because of his approachability and simplicity. Uncle Ho took five packets of Ba Dinh tea and a few packets of candy from his bag, instructing Mr. Que to give the tea to the elderly and the candy to the children, then got into the car and waved goodbye.

After his father passed away, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que mobilized his descendants, the people of Lang Sen village, and the local government and organizations in Kim Lien commune to work together to restore the garden and house of his late father, Nguyen Sinh Sac. The old house was recovered, the household items were found, the gate was reopened to its original position, and the trees in the garden were replanted in their original places according to the memories of the village elders.

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

Now, enjoying a peaceful life in his old age, surrounded by grandchildren and friends, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Que never forgets President Ho Chi Minh with deep emotion and reverence. For him, the times he met Uncle Ho, especially the first time the President visited his hometown, remain vividly etched in his memory, becoming a sacred recollection.

Cong Kien