Buzz
Post the August Revolution, our nation declared independence amidst economic struggles. The inaugural currency printing facility emerged in such dire times, now a historical landmark intertwined with our illustrious national saga.
Embark on a journey to Hòa Bình, where Vietnam's pioneering currency printing facility resides.
Following the revolution, the state treasury held a mere 1,250,000 Đồng Bạc Đông Dương. Consequently, the Party and Government swiftly moved to issue the currency of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. On November 15, 1945, the Printing Office under the Ministry of Finance was established with the mission to produce the new Vietnamese currency.
Initially, some private printing houses were enlisted for currency production. However, due to escalating demands, the Ministry of Finance commissioned Mr. Đỗ Đình Thiện to purchase and donate Tô-Panh printing house from the French to the Government. Thus, the Government acquired its own printing facility named the 'Vietnam National Printing Bureau.'
In March 1946, both Chinese Kuomintang and French colonial forces relentlessly sought to sabotage our revolutionary base. Consequently, a portion of the printing house was relocated to Chi Nê farmstead. By November 1946, the remaining machinery was transferred to continue currency production. Here, the largest denomination bill of the era, the 'Green Buffalo' 100-Đồng banknote, featuring a green buffalo image, was introduced.
During the operation of the first currency printing factory at Chi Nê farmstead, workers only worked from 3 PM to 4 AM to avoid detection. From December 1946 to February 1947, the Central Printing Office at Chi Nê farmstead provided approximately 400 million Đồng Bạc to various sectors and regions from the Central Coast to serve the resistance effort, including weaponry, provisions, and medicine.
By March 1947, the currency printing factory was relocated to Tràng Đà commune (Tuyên Quang) and later moved to Bản Thi commune (Chợ Đồn district, Bắc Kạn province). From here, the currency printing factory of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam Government commenced stable operations and was named the 'Central Special Printing Office.'
In 2007, the first currency printing factory at Chi Nê farmstead was designated a national historical relic. Preserved structures include: the printing workshop, Uncle Ho's residence and workplace, silver storage warehouse, assembly hall, reception house, relief sculptures in the printing area, garden, regional transportation system, park area, and recreational facilities...
Today, the historical site of Chi Nê farmstead and the first currency printing factory in Cố Nghĩa commune have become attractive tourist destinations in Lạc Thủy district, Hòa Bình. Visitors not only learn about the patriotic spirit of the bourgeois Do Dinh Thien family but also gain a vivid understanding of the currency printing factory's formation during the intense resistance years.
According to Mytour
***
Reference: Travel guide by Mytour
MytourSeptember 25, 2023
