Top 10 Most Beautiful and Sacred Images of President Ho Chi Minh

Viet Bac was the first place President Ho Chi Minh set foot in after spending 30 years abroad. It was here that President Ho, alongside the Party Central Committee, endured tough years, leading the entire nation to the success of the August Revolution.

During his time in the Viet Bac War Zone, President Ho maintained a simple and modest lifestyle. He was always close to the local people, a leader dedicated entirely to the well-being of the nation, living his life for the independence and freedom of the people. The images of his life in the Viet Bac region have been deeply etched in the hearts of every Vietnamese citizen.

The iconic photograph titled “President Leading the Song of Unity” was taken on the evening of September 3, 1960, during a public arts program to celebrate the success of the third National Party Congress (held at Bach Thao Park in Hanoi).

That night, when President Ho Chi Minh stepped up to the conductor's podium, holding the baton to lead the orchestra in performing the song “Unity,” it came as a complete surprise to everyone present. The photographers eagerly awaited the chance to capture this historic moment.

Although the photograph was taken more than half a century ago and has been displayed at numerous photo exhibitions, both in Vietnam and abroad, it still evokes deep emotions every time it is seen. This image has become a symbol of national solidarity, showing the leader’s simple, approachable demeanor and his calm, serene presence.

When the resistance against the French colonialists erupted, the Party and government decided to relocate key assets, factories, and central offices to the war zones to continue production and lead the struggle.

The photo below shows President Ho Chi Minh visiting the first military workshop in Viet Bac. Standing beside him is Labor Hero Ngo Gia Kham, one of the first to build and manage the mechanical workshop in the Viet Bac War Zone. He also played a key role in establishing the first chemical workshop in the area. He was wounded three times while working on production.

During the French resistance, our military industry demonstrated great ingenuity and self-reliance, creating weapons such as the recoilless rifle (SKZ) and mortars of 60mm and 120mm calibers, significantly contributing to supplying our troops with locally made weapons to defeat the enemy.

Throughout his life, President Ho Chi Minh had a deep love for nature and lived in harmony with it. Even during his busiest revolutionary days, he always placed great importance on planting trees and creating forests to protect and build the ecological environment, ensuring a clean and healthy living condition, which also contributed to improving people's material well-being.

President Ho Chi Minh was the initiator and an endless source of inspiration for the “Tree-Planting Festival.” In his speeches and writings, he mentioned the phrase “planting trees” 147 times and “Tree-Planting Festival” 46 times. Notably, for five consecutive years, he wrote five articles under the title “Tree-Planting Festival,” each with distinct thoughts on the matter.

President Ho Chi Minh's lifestyle was based on a philosophy of modesty, simplicity, virtue, and a deep love for humanity. His daily life was marked by simplicity, frugality, and a sense of elegance; it reflected a balanced, orderly way of living, a love for work, and a profound respect for time. He sought no personal fame or material gain. His love for people was intertwined with his admiration for nature, which helped foster a spirit of optimism and resilience in him, similar to that of a soldier, while also embodying the passionate sensitivity of an artist's soul. Though the leader of the nation, his material life was no different from that of ordinary people.

President Ho Chi Minh's office in Viet Bac was often nothing more than a simple mat laid on the floor, with his writings placed on his lap. For longer pieces, he would type them out. As a result, many of his long articles were in typed drafts.

Neatness was a habit of the President, and his workspace was never cluttered with decorations. It typically consisted of a mat and a typewriter. His desk contained a lamp, a pencil, an ink pen, some paper, and envelopes. After reading and using documents, books, and newspapers, he would have them sent to the office.

Not only did President Ho Chi Minh encourage the nation to exercise, but he also set an example through his own dedication to fitness, training diligently and creatively to serve the country and the people.

He once said: “When one person is weak, the whole country is weak; when one person is healthy, the whole country is strong. Physical training and maintaining good health is a duty for every patriotic citizen.”

President Ho Chi Minh was a role model for physical fitness, inspiring others to follow. He regularly practiced physical activities with officials and soldiers, including running, walking, swimming, mountain climbing, and playing volleyball.

On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, marking the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

This timeless Declaration on September 2, 1945, ushered in a new era, where for the first time, the people of Vietnam could stand tall and proudly as citizens of a free and independent nation. The historic event took place at Ba Dinh Square, formerly the western gate of Hanoi's ancient citadel. When the French colonialists took control of Hanoi, they dismantled the citadel in 1894, and at this western gate, they built a small garden known as Puginier.

Throughout his life, President Ho Chi Minh always showed deep care and affection for the children and youth of Vietnam. He once affirmed: “Who loves children more than President Ho Chi Minh?” Before his passing, he left a legacy of immense love for the Vietnamese people, particularly highlighting the younger generation with his special affection: “In the end, I leave my love for the youth and children…”

Looking back at modern world military history, it is rare to find a national leader who personally visits the battlefield. However, our President, Ho Chi Minh, traveled directly to the front lines during the 1950 Border Campaign, leading the Vietnamese army and people in a major operation that resulted in a historic victory. This campaign marked a turning point in the struggle against French colonialism in Vietnam.

The 1950 Autumn Border Campaign, also known as the Lê Hồng Phong 2 Campaign, was part of the Indochina War. It was carried out by the People's Army of Vietnam (referred to as Viet Minh by the French) from September 16 to October 14, 1950. The goal was to break the French encirclement around the Viet Bac base area, open the Vietnam-China border to facilitate Soviet aid via the People's Republic of China, expand the base area, weaken the French garrison, and test military strategies for future large-scale battles.