VietNamNet Bridge – Over the past 25 years, the Ho Chi Minh Museum has preserved and displayed thousands of items related to President Ho Chi Minh’s life and revolutionary career. Among 170,000 exhibits, many have been donated by individuals and organizations in the hope that the items will help domestic and foreign visitors better understand Vietnam’s beloved leader Ho Chi Minh.  

The bronze statue of President Ho Chi Minh with 3.5 meters height and 3 tons weight is placed at the center of the museum. (Photo: Keegan Govender)

Despite life difficulties, Cong Doan Duong of Phu Thuong ward in Hanoi carefully preserved the items he collected as a member of escort teams for President Ho Chi Minh. Duong said from late 1967 to early 1968, he and his colleagues piloted flights transporting President Ho Chi Minh to China.

Duong recalled: “We flew for two nights. It was very cold and we were given two warm coats and a hat. My family want to make a small cupboard to display the items. But that way only my relatives will see them. If I give them to the museum, many people will have an opportunity to see the items, which testify to the great kindness President Ho Chi Minh showed his subordinates, even when Vietnam was in its hardest period. And the museum will preserve the items better than we could.”

In 2011, after almost half a century, Duong decided to donate to the Ho Chi Minh Museum the coats and the hat he wore while escorting President Ho Chi Minh. Duong said that although he didn’t have much time or opportunity to talk with President Ho, he was impressed by Uncle Ho’s warm care.

“President Ho Chi Minh took good care of us. He sympathized that we had to work from early till late and gave us his bottle of milk,” said Duong.

The special subject hall: President Ho Chi Minh’s native land and family. (Photo: Brenton Sewart)

Nguyen thi Kim Dung is a former official of the Nam Dinh provincial Party Committee and a deputy of the third National Assembly in 1964. She is now living in Nam Dinh city. She had the honor of meeting President Ho Chi Minh twice. Every item, writing, and image is still engraved in her mind, said Dung.

“At the first session of the National Assembly, President Ho Chi Minh asked me how I was and told me to work to become a good and useful leader and NA deputy. He said he would give me a badge. When we took a photo, he told me to stand in front because I was small. I was very moved when I got the photo because his white beard covered my hair,” Dung told us.

Tourists visit Ho Chi Minh Museum’s branch in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Thanh Vu/VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s encouragement persuaded Ms. Dung to do her best to fulfill her duties. And her Ho Chi Minh badge has been donated to the museum.

She said: “The badge is the most sacred object in my life. I donated it to the museum because I want it become a national keepsake, not just mine.”

Chu Duc Tinh, the museum’s former director, said there are many donated items in stock but only about 2,000 objects are on display. The museum plans to expand the display area.

Tinh added: “All museum items are donated, so they are precious. Now they have become national treasures, not just of an individual or clan.”

Each item at the Ho Chi Minh Museum carries a story about some aspects of President Ho Chi Minh’s life.  

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