Top 10 Essays Retelling Events Related to a Historical Figure or Event That You Admire

President Ho Chi Minh is the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people. His life serves as an exemplary model for every Vietnamese citizen. The stories about him continue to leave us valuable lessons.

It is told that during his years in Viet Bac, whenever going on a mission, Uncle Ho would have two comrades accompanying him. Concerned that he might be tired, they offered to carry his backpack, but Uncle Ho refused. He said:

- On a forest path, climbing mountains, who wouldn't get tired? If one person carries all the equipment, they will get tired faster. Let's divide the load equally among the three of us.

The two comrades reluctantly followed his advice, distributing the items into three backpacks. Uncle Ho then asked:

- Have you divided them equally?

The two comrades replied:

- Yes, we have!

After a while, when they took a break, Uncle Ho went to their spot and picked up one of the backpacks. He asked:

- Why is your backpack heavy, but mine is light?

He opened his backpack and found that it only contained bedding.

Uncle Ho appeared dissatisfied and said:

- Only true labor brings happiness to people.

He then asked his comrades to divide the equipment into three backpacks again before continuing the journey.

This small story carries a big lesson. It shows that Uncle Ho was a person who loved work. He worked his entire life, every day, from big tasks like saving the country to small ones like planting trees in the garden. Whatever could be done by himself, he did it. His way of living helped each of us recognize the value of labor and the need to study and work with greater awareness.

Indeed, the stories about President Ho Chi Minh's life are very meaningful. From these, we always learn valuable lessons for ourselves.

Retelling an event related to a historical figure or event that you admire.

At that time, the Mongol invaders sent an envoy under the pretense of asking to pass through our territory to invade the country. Seeing the audacity of the invaders, Tran Quoc Toan was filled with anger.

This morning, the king convened a meeting on a royal boat. Quoc Toan, aware of the meeting, waited anxiously to meet the king and say two words: "Let's fight." He waited from dawn until noon but could not meet the king. Desperate, he forcefully pushed aside the guards and rushed down to the dock. The soldiers rushed toward him, and Quoc Toan, face flushed, drew his sword and shouted:

- I am here to see the king. Who dares to stop me?

Just then, the meeting on the boat paused, and the king along with his officials stepped outside.

Quoc Toan ran up, knelt, and said:

- Letting the enemy pass means losing the country. I beg you, Your Majesty, to let us fight!

After saying that, he placed his sword on his neck and requested punishment.

The king ordered Quoc Toan to rise and spoke gently:

- Although Quoc Toan has broken the law, he is still young and yet understands the importance of the country. I must commend him for that.

Then, the king had someone present a mandarin orange to Quoc Toan. He thanked the king and went ashore, still feeling upset. He thought to himself: “The king gives me a precious fruit, but still sees me as a child and does not allow me to discuss matters of state.”

Quoc Toan, angered by the Mongols' exploitation of the people, squeezed the mandarin orange in his hand without realizing it. When others came to check on him, he opened his hand and found the fruit crushed.

I am musician Van Cao, the composer of the song "The Marching Song". This song was created in a very special historical context. For me, this song marked a significant turning point in my life, as it symbolized the moment I found my purpose in life.

There was a time when I had lost all my youthful dreams and aspirations. Life seemed like an endless cycle of despair and frustration. Just as I was about to give up, the arrival of my dear friend Ph. D. changed everything for me.

Through Ph.D.'s introduction, I met Vu Quy, an elder who had followed my artistic journey for a long time. After our conversation, I found a new path for myself—one that led to the revolution.

At that time, a military training course for the anti-Japanese movement was about to begin, and they needed a song to inspire the revolutionary soldiers. Reflecting on my previous work, I realized I had written many patriotic songs such as: Dong Da, Thang Long Marching Anthem, Forest Sounds... but none about the revolution. Filled with passion, I composed the lyrics to "The Marching Song".

Ph.D. witnessed the entire process of composing the song, Vu Quy was the first to hear it, and Nguyen Dinh Thi was the first to sing it. They were all deeply moved.

At that moment, I had no idea that just a short time later, on August 17, 1945, "The Marching Song" would be sung by thousands of people in unison in front of the Grand Theatre. It was a moment that words cannot fully describe. The song exploded like a bomb. Within moments, leaflets with the lyrics were handed out to everyone attending the rally. I stood amidst the crowd outside the Grand Theatre, and I could hear my friend Ph. D.'s voice through the loudspeakers. On August 19, during the success of the August Revolution in Hanoi, I heard thousands of people and children singing "The Marching Song" together.

And that’s how "The Marching Song" was born, in a historic era marked by "a new dawn" for our nation. I feel immense pride when I reflect on that moment.

"The Marching Song" - the song chosen as the national anthem of Vietnam. And I am Van Cao, the composer of this song.

The song was created in a special historical context, with immense significance for the country. For me personally, it is a spiritual child, marking a significant turning point in my life.

Before that, I had lost my youthful dreams and aspirations. Each day felt like a repetitive cycle of weariness and frustration. Just when I was ready to give up, my close friend Ph.D. appeared and changed my life.

Through Ph.D., I met Vu Quy, who had followed my artistic journey for a long time. After a conversation with him, I found a new path for myself—the revolutionary path.

At that time, a military training course for the anti-Japanese movement was about to begin, and they needed a song to inspire the revolutionary army. I had written many songs about patriotism such as Dong Da, Thang Long Marching Anthem, Forest Sounds… but none about the revolution. That’s when I composed "The Marching Song".

Ph.D. witnessed the entire process of composing the song, Vu Quy was the first to hear it, and Nguyen Dinh Thi was the first to sing it. They all shared the same feeling—pride and emotion—when they heard the song.

What I never expected was that, in just a short time, on August 17, 1945, "The Marching Song" would be sung by thousands of people in unison in front of the Grand Theatre. The song truly had a tremendous impact. In an instant, leaflets with the lyrics were handed to everyone in the crowd at the rally. I stood among the people outside the Grand Theatre, and I heard my friend Ph. D.’s familiar voice through the loudspeakers. On August 19, during the success of the August Revolution in Hanoi, I heard thousands of people and children singing "The Marching Song" together.

And thus, "The Marching Song" was born, during an era of our nation marked by "a new dawn". As the composer of this song, I am filled with joy and pride.

President Ho Chi Minh is a beloved leader of the Vietnamese people. Numerous stories about his life demonstrate his admirable qualities.

In the fall of 1954, he attended the "Land Reform Experience Conference" in Ha Bac. During the conference, he learned that a directive from the Central Committee was asking to reduce the number of officials sent to a capital city orientation course. Everyone was eager to go, particularly those from Hanoi.

After many years away from their homeland, people hoped to receive special attention. There were varying opinions about who should attend the conference, making the leadership somewhat uncomfortable.

The autumn weather was still quite warm, with sweat soaking through the shoulders of his brown shirt. He started the meeting by discussing current events. Then, he pulled out a pocket watch and asked the officials about the function of each part of the watch. Finally, he asked:

- Which part of the watch is the most important?

Everyone remained silent, no one answered:

- Can we remove any part of the watch?

- No, we cannot! - the officials responded in unison.

Seeing their responses, he raised the watch and concluded:

- Comrades, the parts of a watch are like the departments of a government or the tasks of a revolution. All tasks of the revolution are crucial, and every task must be carried out. Imagine: if the hour hand wanted to become the minute hand, or the movement tried to be the face of the watch… if each part competed for a different role, would it still be a watch?

After hearing this, the room fell silent. Each person reflected on President Ho's words.

Later, in late 1954, he visited a military artillery unit in Bach Mai, preparing for the victory parade in celebration of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. After visiting the soldiers' quarters, he chatted with them. He pulled out a pocket watch again and asked the soldiers about the function of each part of the watch. Everyone gave correct answers, but no one understood the significance of the lesson until he spoke again:

- For many years, the hands of the watch have kept time, the numbers on the face have remained in place, and the internal mechanisms have worked in harmony. Every part plays its designated role. If we swapped the parts around, would it still be a watch? After hearing this, the soldiers understood the important lesson: Every task given by the revolution must be completed with dedication.

Furthermore, this pocket watch was a priceless gift from the International Red Cross, symbolizing the world's support for President Ho. He carried it with him during his years of hardship in prison until Vietnam gained independence.

The story of the watch highlights the qualities of President Ho Chi Minh, along with the deep lesson he sought to impart to his officials and soldiers.

Tran Quoc Tuan was an outstanding military general during the Tran dynasty. He is widely recognized for his significant role in defeating the Mongol invaders during the Yuan dynasty.

Tran Quoc Tuan was born in 1231 and passed away in 1300. He was the son of Prince An Sinh Vuong – Tran Lieu. He was born in a turbulent period of the Tran dynasty. In 1285 and 1287, the Mongol-Yuan forces invaded Vietnam, and each time, Tran Quoc Tuan was appointed by King Tran Nhan Tong to lead the armies, achieving decisive victories both times. Later, during the reign of King Tran Anh Tong, he retired to Van Kiep (now Hung Dao commune, Chi Linh district, Hai Duong province) and passed away there. The people revered him as Saint Tran and built temples dedicated to him across the country.

One historical event that left a deep impression on me regarding Tran Quoc Tuan is his writing of the "Hich Tuong Si" (The Appeal to the Generals). This document was written by Tran Quoc Tuan prior to the second Mongol invasion (1285).

The content of the "Hich Tuong Si" reflects the intense patriotism of the Vietnamese people in their resistance against foreign invaders. The author expressed deep hatred for the enemy and a firm determination to defeat the invading forces.

Tran Quoc Tuan cited examples of the loyalty of past generals. He then exposed the atrocities of the enemy forces, expressing his sorrow for the nation's plight. He pointed out the errors in the actions and thoughts of the generals. Finally, he called upon the generals to study the "Binh Thu Yeu Luoc" (The Essentials of War Strategy).

It is clear that Tran Quoc Tuan is a national hero. He serves as a model for future generations to study and emulate.

The Vietnamese people have endured many years of war. Countless heroes have contributed to shaping the history of the nation, and one of the most notable figures is General Võ Nguyên Giáp.

Born in 1911, Võ Nguyên Giáp, originally named Võ Giáp with the alias Văn, passed away in 2013. He hailed from An Xá village, now Lộc Thủy commune, Lệ Thủy district, Quảng Bình province. Raised in a family with a rich tradition of patriotism, he was educated from a young age with a deep sense of hatred for invaders and love for his homeland.

During both the French and American wars, General Giáp earned the trust of President Hồ Chí Minh, who assigned him crucial responsibilities. A story recounts that in late 1954, the Central Committee decided to establish the Command and Party Committee for the Điện Biên Phủ Front, with General Võ Nguyên Giáp as the Commander and Secretary. Before departing for the front, President Hồ asked: "Chú (you) are going so far, will it be difficult to command the battlefield?" General Giáp responded, "Only distance is a challenge, as it may be hard to consult you and the Politburo on critical issues." Hồ Chí Minh reassured him: "You will have full authority to make decisions, just report back after." When they parted ways, Hồ reminded him: "This battle is of great importance. You must fight only when victory is certain. If victory is not guaranteed, do not engage in battle!"

Thanks to Hồ Chí Minh's absolute trust, General Giáp's resolve to follow the battle strategy of 'strike with certainty, advance with certainty' remained unshaken. The success of the Điện Biên Phủ campaign became a monumental victory for Vietnam.

General Võ Nguyên Giáp is regarded as the elder brother of the Vietnam People's Army. He has become a shining example for future generations to follow.

Last April, our school organized an excursion as part of the extracurricular activities. This time, our destination was the Hùng Kings Temple in Việt Trì-Phú Thọ. The temple honors the Hùng Kings and their royal family. This place is connected to the Hùng Kings' Death Anniversary, celebrated annually on the 10th of the third lunar month, providing an opportunity for descendants to visit and honor those who contributed to the founding of the nation.

I had heard many tales about the Hùng Kings, including famous myths like the story of the square and round cakes (bánh chưng, bánh dày) and the battle between Sơn Tinh and Thủy Tinh. These stories highlight the wisdom and majesty of the kings, which made me look forward to this trip even more.

At the foot of the mountain, the grandeur of the Nghĩa Lĩnh mountain with its forest and misty atmosphere is breathtaking. The shrine to the kings is located atop the mountain with three main temples: the Lower Temple (Đền Hạ), Middle Temple (Đền Trung), and Upper Temple (Đền Thượng). The Lower Temple is believed to be the place where the mother Âu Cơ gave birth to a hundred eggs.

From those hundred eggs came a hundred children, fifty followed their father to the sea, and forty-nine followed their mother to the mountains. The child who remained became the first Hùng King. The Middle Temple is where the kings held official meetings, and the Upper Temple is the tomb of the sixth Hùng King. The annual Hùng Kings Festival includes various cultural activities and traditional rituals, as well as other folk performances. Among these, the ritual procession with offerings and incense is one of the oldest practices still carried out today, often accompanied by the deep, resonating sound of bronze drums as the procession winds its way through the legendary stone steps to the summit.

Before touring the temples, we performed a ritual offering and listened to a speech about the Hùng Kings. The solemn and grand atmosphere filled me with immense pride for our nation’s history. The Hùng Kings founded and defended our country, ensuring the peace and independence that we enjoy today. Now, we visit to express our gratitude and respect, in line with the traditional saying, 'when eating fruit, remember who planted the tree.' They laid the foundation for the current Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and we are all deeply thankful for that.

Later, we visited the royal temples on the mountain. The arrangement of artifacts was meticulous and respectful. I was particularly moved by a plaque at the Lower Temple bearing Hồ Chí Minh’s words: 'The Hùng Kings laid the foundation for our nation, and we, the people, will preserve it.' These words serve as a promise from the younger generation to honor their duty towards the country.

It was truly a meaningful and enriching experience. Though it was only a brief visit, it made me realize my responsibility towards our nation.

One must always show respect and gratitude to the generations before, especially the Hùng Kings, and remember:

'Though we may travel far and wide,'

'Let us remember the tenth day of the third month as the day to honor our ancestors.'

During the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Tiger (Nhâm Dần), I had the opportunity to visit the Yên Tử Spring Festival in Uông Bí city (Quảng Ninh) to participate in the incense offering ceremony for the peace and prosperity of the nation at the Yên Tử Spring Festival 2022. This is one of the largest and longest traditional spring festivals in Vietnam, lasting from the 10th day of the Lunar New Year and continuing for about three months. During this time, thousands of people from all over the country come to offer incense and pay tribute to King Trần Nhân Tông, and others participate in a pilgrimage to Yên Tử.

I learned that Yên Tử is where King Trần Nhân Tông, who founded the Trúc Lâm Zen sect, came to meditate and practice. He was a wise and virtuous king, greatly beloved by the people.

At the incense offering ceremony at Yên Tử, my emotions were deeply moved. The incense offering began at the Huệ Quang Stupa garden and ascended to the Hoa Yên Pagoda. The Huệ Quang Stupa garden, with 64 stone stupas and tombs, has a profound historical significance. The stupa's central feature is a statue of King Trần Nhân Tông made of marble, depicted in a meditative posture, wearing a monk's robe. The image is serene and ancient. In the sacred atmosphere, the monks carried the incense offerings up to the Hoa Yên Pagoda, a place with architecture that carries the essence of ancient times. The people gathered around the ceremony, while the monks and local leaders conducted the ritual.

In this solemn atmosphere, a prayer for peace was recited, and everyone held a stick of incense to offer to the statue of King Trần Nhân Tông, hoping for a prosperous and peaceful year ahead.

After the incense offering, people dispersed to admire the surroundings, some setting off to continue their pilgrimage to Yên Tử. They eagerly journeyed to the top of Đồng Pagoda to see the grand statue of King Trần Nhân Tông.

Indeed, the contributions of King Trần Nhân Tông have been preserved through the centuries. Therefore, the Yên Tử Spring Festival serves as an important occasion to honor his legacy. It has long been a beloved tradition for the people of Quảng Ninh and the entire nation, consistently drawing large crowds of both locals and tourists.

In 1945, during his speech at the graduation ceremony of the 5th batch at the Vietnam Training School for Cadres, President Ho Chi Minh candidly remarked: “The invitation said the event starts at 8 AM, but it's already 8:10, and many people have yet to arrive. I advise you all to be on time, because time is precious.” Regarding punctuality, during the French resistance war, a general arrived late for a meeting with President Ho, 15 minutes behind schedule, due to heavy rain, flooded streams, and horses being unable to cross.

Ho replied:

- You’re a general, yet you are late by 15 minutes; how many mistakes will your troops make due to poor coordination? Today, you were careless and didn’t prepare enough contingency plans, so you lost your advantage.”

On another occasion, Ho and the people had to wait for a comrade to arrive before starting a meeting.

Ho asked:

- How late are you?

- Sorry, I’m 10 minutes late!

- That’s not correct, you should consider that your 10 minutes of delay equals the time wasted by 500 people waiting here.

In 1953, Ho decided to visit a class of intellectuals undergoing ideological training amidst intense struggles. Just before leaving, torrential rain began. Some suggested postponing the visit or relocating the class to a place closer to Ho's residence… but Ho disagreed:

- If we have an appointment, we must keep it. If we wait for the rain to stop, when will we go? It’s better for just me and a few others to get wet than to let the entire class lose their time!

So, Ho traveled to the class as planned, cheered on by the excited students… Ho cherished his time as much as he valued others’ time. Therefore, throughout his life, Ho never made anyone wait for him. His respect for time is a shining example for all of us.

Human time is limited. One can rebuild a house or a road, but no one can retrieve lost time. Thus, time is more precious than gold or silver. Time-saving is the most intelligent and civilized way of saving.

Everyone can save their own time. However, to do this, we must work with clear, specific plans; maintain order and neatness in our work; teachers must prepare lessons thoroughly before class, start on time, and make effective use of learning hours; officials must prepare good content before holding meetings or receiving citizens, and so on… This is how we save our own time and the time of others.