From a letter from Uncle Ho

In the summer of 1959, at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the Government of the Soviet Union, President Ho Chi Minh visited and spent his summer vacation in the Soviet Union from June 30 to July 30, 1959.

Before going on vacation, Uncle Ho sent a telegram requesting that his Soviet comrades allow him to go on vacation as an ordinary "tourist," in a simple manner, and to waive all welcoming ceremonies, banquets, newspaper announcements, etc.

While visiting a foreign country, Uncle Ho witnessed firsthand the efforts, resilience, persistent competition, immense enthusiasm, and remarkable progress of its people. He recorded this and sent it to the Nhan Dan newspaper for publication so that the Vietnamese people could learn about the construction and development of that country and the friendly feelings of its people towards him and the Vietnamese people.

On the last day before leaving the Soviet Union, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union sent Uncle Ho and Comrade Vu Ky a sum of money, but Uncle Ho wrote a letter to the treasurer of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union requesting that the money be returned. The letter was written in French, and its contents are the most vivid evidence to further understand the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh.

"To the treasurer."

Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Dear comrade.

Before leaving Moscow, the Central Committee gave me 4000 rubles and my secretary, Vu Ky, 1000 rubles. A total of 5000 rubles.

Since we didn't spend anything during our visit, I'd like to return 5000 rubles to you and hope you'll accept this money.

"Greetings, everyone."

August 1, 1959.

Signed: Ho Chi Minh

Lam Dinh Hung (Compiled and presented based on materials from the Ho Chi Minh Museum)