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1. Contest Entry on Ho Chi Minh's Exemplary Ethics (No. 4)
Honorable judges, esteemed organizers, distinguished delegates, respected teachers, and dear friends!
My name is..., and I am in my final year of kindergarten. Today, I am delighted and proud to contribute a small part in honoring and expressing gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh. With a spirit of learning and sharing, I hope to receive encouragement from all of you at this event, and I would also like to extend my best wishes for health and success to the organizers, judges, teachers, and my fellow students.
Dear participants,
President Ho Chi Minh was born on May 19, 1890, and passed away on September 2, 1969, in Kim Liên, Nam Đàn, Nghệ An. He was a devoted father of the Vietnamese nation, dedicating his entire life to the country's people. He left to find the way to rescue the country when he was still young, and by the time he returned, his hair had turned gray. He traveled around the world in search of the truth to lead the nation to freedom, prosperity, and glory. Throughout his life, he never had a day of happiness for himself.
Our leader, besides his work for the country and its people, would also visit the elderly and children. He had a deep love for young people. There are many moving stories, and one of the most notable is the story “Uncle Ho Teaches Children.” This story reflects Uncle Ho’s care and love for children and also conveys his educational philosophy about nurturing the future of the country. He believed in teaching children to be polite and self-disciplined in life. Uncle Ho is indeed a shining example of love for young people and revolutionary ethics that all Vietnamese should follow.
Dear participants, I would now like to share the story “Uncle Ho Teaches Children.” This story is from “120 Stories About President Ho Chi Minh’s Exemplary Ethics.”
One day, President Ho Chi Minh met a young boy, the child of a colleague working at the Central Government. The colleague took the child to the office but was delayed with work, so President Ho invited the boy to have lunch with him. On that day, Prime Minister Phạm Văn Đồng also joined them. Sitting at the table, the boy was nervous and unsure of how to eat. There was only one bowl of soup, so the boy hesitated to take any. The plate of chicken was placed closer to the Prime Minister. Noticing this, Uncle Ho placed a piece of chicken from his plate into the boy's bowl. Then, he added more food and poured soup into the boy's bowl. After eating two bowls of rice, the boy put his bowl down and said, 'I’m done, Uncle.' He hurriedly ran off. Uncle Ho called him back gently and said:
- Hey, not yet! Come back here. Today, Uncle Ho and Uncle Tô invited you to lunch. After eating, you must thank us before you leave. It’s not polite to leave without saying thank you.
The boy bowed and said:
- Thank you, Uncle Ho! Thank you, Uncle Tô!
But as soon as he finished, the boy dashed off. When he reached the door, Uncle Ho called him again:
- Wait, wait! Come back here. You’re still young, and when you go home, you should play. But after you finish eating, you must wash your dishes, put them on the table, not leave them for anyone else to clean up for you.
Listening to Uncle Ho’s words, the boy washed the dishes, cleaned them thoroughly, and then put them on the shelf. After finishing the task, Uncle Ho gently said:
- Now, come sit down and have 'dessert' with me. Uncle Tô had to leave for work.
President Ho then cut an apple in half, with the top part small and the bottom part larger, resembling a pot with a lid.
- Now, let’s share it, you take the small 'lid,' and I will have the large 'pot.' Do you know why I share it this way? I work all day long, so I need to eat more, hence the large 'pot.' You are still young, so you only need the small 'lid.' Remember, when you eat with your parents, they work all day and need the larger portion. You should always give them the bigger share, and don’t take the bigger portion for yourself.
The story “Uncle Ho Teaches Children” has ended, and from this story, we learn that children must be taught respect and, most importantly, self-discipline. Self-discipline reflects a person’s character and can be cultivated through education and good examples in the family. The family plays a crucial role in teaching children self-discipline, and the education system of any country must guide children not to let their instincts take over but to learn to say no to bad behavior.
Dear friends, President Ho Chi Minh sacrificed his entire life so that today we can live in peace, surrounded by the love of our parents and the careful guidance of our teachers. To live up to his hopes and not disappoint our parents and teachers, we must strive to study hard, cultivate good morals, and become good children, good students, and valuable citizens of society. Lastly, I would like to wish the judges, organizers, distinguished delegates, and teachers good health and success in your work. I wish all students to study well and be kind. May this event be a great success.
Thank you very much!
2. Sample Storytelling Contest Entry on Ho Chi Minh's Exemplary Ethics (No. 5)
3. Sample Essay Submission on the Ethical Example of Ho Chi Minh (No. 6)
4. Example of a moral story competition submission about the moral example of Ho Chi Minh (No. 7)
As children, we feel the deep affection Ho Chi Minh had for us, for the youth, as we are constantly motivated by his words, nurturing us in our pursuits and shaping our dreams of a bright, independent, and free future. His greatest wish was for all children to receive an education, to live in freedom and independence.
Did you know? Many beautiful stories, poems, and songs have been created to express the love Bác (Uncle) had for us, the youth.
In celebration of his 128th birthday, I would like to share a story titled “Bác only wanted us to learn.” This story is featured in a book called ‘Ho Chi Minh and moral lessons for 5th grade students,’ published by the Vietnam Education Publishing House.
The story goes:
“After the French forces withdrew from Hanoi, on a business trip, President Ho visited a remote village located within a guerilla zone. The villagers, both young and old, rushed out to greet him with great joy. Bác asked about the health of the elders, spoke to the people about the war and the redistribution of land, and shared wisdom on rebuilding their village. He handed out candies to the children, who eagerly unwrapped and enjoyed them while gazing at him. At that moment, a little girl, about five or six years old, stood still, holding her candy and gazing at Bác intently. Seeing this, Bác kindly said:
- Go ahead and eat your candy, little one!
The girl replied:
- Thank you, Bác! I’m saving it for my mother.
The girl’s voice was so soft that it captured the attention of everyone around. A fellow official accompanying Bác stepped forward and offered another piece of candy, saying:
- Here, have this candy, but keep the first one for your mother.
Yet, the girl still refused to eat, her eyes fixed on Bác. Bác repeated:
- Eat the candy, little one.
The girl responded again:
- I’m waiting for my mother to eat it with me.
Moved by the child's selflessness, Bác asked:
- What’s your name?
- My name is Chiến, Bác. My mother calls me that.
Bác nodded and asked:
- Chiến, is that your name? The girl continued:
- Yes, Bác! My mother said we need to chase all the invaders away, so she named me Chiến.
At that point, an elderly villager shared with Bác the story of the little girl’s family. Her grandfather had been taken by the French, never to return. Her father had been killed by the French when she was just born. Her mother, a farmer, also fought against the invaders while caring for her children. The young girl had a deep affection for her mother.
Hearing the story, Bác was deeply moved. He took the girl into his arms, urging the villagers to care for the children and families of war veterans and martyrs.
As Bác was leaving, little Chiến stood beside him, her wide eyes looking up at him with curiosity. She asked:
- Bác, when I grow up, will there still be enemies to fight?
Bác gently patted her head and replied:
- Bác only wants you to study well, to grow up and help build the country. His words left everyone in tears as they imagined a future of independence, where the children could learn and prosper.
The villagers bid Bác farewell as he left. The little girl, still mesmerized, continued to watch the departing vehicle.
Dear judges, and esteemed audience:
The story of “Bác only wanted us to learn” deeply touched me. Despite her young age, little Chiến understood the hardships her mother faced and the suffering caused by the French invaders. Driven by a desire to protect her homeland, she aspired to fight just like her father and grandfather. Bác’s kind words comforted her, expressing his desire for all children to grow up in peace, free from war, and to receive a proper education.
As a fifth-grade student, I too had not fully understood how I could become a role model for others. Sometimes, I lacked confidence and procrastinated on my tasks. However, after reading Bác’s stories, I have been motivated to follow his teachings on love and dedication to our nation’s youth. I am striving to be a good student and a role model, as Bác always wanted us to study well and help build a strong, prosperous nation. I’ve decided to fight against my own weaknesses and dedicate myself to my studies.
Additionally, I actively participate in extracurricular activities organized by my school, such as visiting the Gạc Ma Martyrs Memorial and offering incense at the Phước Hải Village Heroic Memorial. We also visited the families of war heroes and martyrs in our local area.
We all need to do more to share in the sacrifices of our veterans and their families.
Let us all commit to following Bác’s teachings and strive to be good students, working together for a brighter future. Let us never forget his wise words: “Whether Vietnam becomes beautiful or not, whether the Vietnamese people can stand proudly alongside the great powers of the world, depends largely on the education and hard work of the children.” Let us all promise to study and grow together!
We will forever remember our beloved Bác and raise our voices in the song: 'Who loves Hồ Chí Minh more than the youth and children?'”
That concludes my story. Once again, I wish good health to the judges and teachers. May the competition be a resounding success.
5. Sample Storytelling Contest Entry on the Ethical Example of Ho Chi Minh (No. 8)
Dear Teachers,
Dear students,
President Ho Chi Minh – a man born from truth – is the epitome of the best qualities of the Vietnamese people. Though he has passed away, his life, work, and moral example remain immortal. He was the culmination and shining symbol of the greatest intellectual and ethical values of Vietnam. His character and ethics will forever serve as a bright beacon for the Vietnamese people. In his poetry, he once wrote: 'The lotus of Thap Muoi is the most beautiful flower / And Vietnam is the most beautiful with the name Ho Chi Minh.' Today, although Uncle Ho has left us, the ethical values and noble traditions he instilled continue to guide the people and the world. The following short story will help us better understand this beloved leader, reminding us to cherish every moment of life and follow his teachings.
One winter night in 1951, the cold wind and fine rain made the air even chillier. The valley of Ban Ty lay quiet, except for a small stilt house that still glowed with light. There, Ho Chi Minh remained awake, working late into the night as usual. Suddenly, the door of the house opened, and Uncle Ho appeared. He walked down the stairs and toward the tree where I was standing guard.
- Are you on duty here?
- Yes, sir!
- Don't you have a raincoat?
I hesitated, but answered boldly:
- No, I don't have one, sir!
Uncle Ho looked me over with concern:
- For night duty, a raincoat would keep you dry and warm...
He then walked back into the house, lost in thought. A week later, Mr. Bay and several others brought 12 long woolen coats to us. He said:
- Uncle asked us to find raincoats for you. Today we have these, and we’re bringing them to the comrades. Having such a coat is a great blessing, but what is even more precious is knowing that Uncle Ho personally took care of us with all the love of a father.
The next morning, I wore the new coat to the place where Uncle Ho was working. When he saw me, he smiled and praised:
- You have a new coat today!
- Yes, sir. Mr. Bay brought them to us, one for each of us.
Upon hearing this, Uncle Ho was pleased. He kindly reminded us:
- It's cold, take care of your health, and do your work well.
After his words, Uncle Ho returned to his house to continue working. I was deeply moved. He had given us warm coats while he himself wore a thin, old cotton jacket. We should have been the ones caring for him, yet he was more concerned about us.
From that moment on, we kept the coat Uncle Ho had given us as if it carried his warmth. That warmth provided us with strength during each stage of our work.
This story reflects the deep love and care Uncle Ho showed to the soldiers and staff around him. Despite being burdened with countless tasks, when he saw a soldier standing guard in the cold, he immediately made sure warm clothing was found for them. A simple coat provided not only physical warmth but also emotional comfort for the soldier and for millions of hearts in Vietnam.
Dear Teachers and Students,
We can say that the life and moral example of Ho Chi Minh has become ingrained in the history and hearts of the Vietnamese people. As the song by Thuan Nguyen says: 'Uncle Ho is the deepest love, in the hearts of the people and all of humanity.' This love will forever flow through the veins of every Vietnamese. It is the essence of communism that shines a guiding light for every generation of Vietnamese, for you, for me, and for all of us. From the stories of Uncle Ho, each of us may feel something different, but the overwhelming feeling is one of deep respect and gratitude. From this, we must strive to follow his moral example and continue to improve ourselves.
Dear young pioneers,
In this week, we will enter the first semester final exams. To follow Uncle Ho's Five Teachings, let us study diligently and approach the exams with the best mindset. I wish all of you in the Young Pioneer organization the best of success in this exam.
The story under the flag ends here. Thank you to the teachers and all students for listening attentively.
6. Sample Storytelling Contest Entry on the Ethical Example of Ho Chi Minh (No. 1)
Distinguished delegates,
Honored comrades,
President Ho Chi Minh was a world-renowned cultural figure and a national liberation hero. Throughout his life, he made countless sacrifices for the revolutionary cause and the nation's independence. He devoted all his immense love to his people, comrades, and the nation's well-being.
“Oh! Uncle Ho's heart is vast. It embraces the mountains, rivers, and countless lives...”
In both life and work, he valued both talent and virtue, but virtue was the foundation. Therefore, in his lifetime, he wrote:
“The sky has four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. The earth has four directions: East, West, South, North. A person has four virtues: Diligence, thrift, integrity, and righteousness. Without one season, the sky is incomplete. Without one direction, the earth is incomplete. Without one virtue, a person is incomplete.”
Each of his speeches, writings, and instructions, every meeting and mission he undertook, carried the essence of a moral compass: “Diligence, thrift, integrity, righteousness, justice, and selflessness,” as well as “Humanity, righteousness, courage, wisdom, and trust.”
Ho Chi Minh's moral philosophy crystallizes the nation's finest traditions and the essence of global culture. It is a priceless spiritual asset for our Party and people, a shining example for all Vietnamese to follow.
Comrades,
Our ongoing movement to follow the ethical example of Ho Chi Minh is being enthusiastically embraced by the entire Party, people, and armed forces through concrete and practical actions. This is a large-scale, long-term movement aimed at shifting societal awareness, fostering revolutionary moral integrity, and combating political and moral decay, as well as social vices. The movement focuses on qualities like “Loyalty to the nation, devotion to the people,” “Diligence, thrift, integrity, righteousness, justice, and selflessness,” organizational discipline, responsibility, and serving the people. It also strives to combat individualism, bureaucracy, corruption, and waste. Yes, comrades.
His entire life is a “treasure trove” of stories about exemplary conduct for us to learn from. Today, I would like to share with you a story illustrating Uncle Ho's simple, frugal lifestyle, taken from accounts of his servants, featured in a book titled “Some Teachings and Stories about Ho Chi Minh's Ethical Example.”
Although I worked in Uncle Ho's office primarily, sometimes I was tasked with sewing his clothes, bedding, and pillow covers. This job allowed me to be close to Uncle Ho and learn much from him, especially his simplicity and frugality. Sometimes, Uncle Ho would wear the same torn clothes until they were patched repeatedly. I will never forget his green peace-themed pillow cover, which Mr. Can (his servant) asked me to sew over and over again. As I held his pillow, tears welled up, and I said to Mr. Can:
- Please, don't ask me to patch Uncle Ho's pillow anymore; I feel so sorry for him. Please change it to a new one. Mr. Can replied:
- I suggested to Uncle Ho to change it, but he hasn't agreed yet. Please bear with me and help.
Holding the needle, I couldn’t even push it through, moved by how simple and frugal Uncle Ho was, like a father caring for a large family, struggling despite his best efforts.
Once, while in Vietnam's northern region, Uncle Ho returned late after a mission. Tired, he rested briefly at the office. Mr. Khang said to me:
- Uncle Ho is too tired to eat rice, so please cook him some porridge.
Upon hearing this, Uncle Ho immediately sat up and told me:
- Please cook the porridge with leftover rice; it will cook faster and save rice, preventing waste.
As I stood there silently, I felt deeply moved. Despite his exhaustion, Uncle Ho chose to make porridge with leftover rice to avoid wasting food, even though it didn’t taste as good. I had no choice but to follow his instructions, knowing that failure to do so would be met with criticism.
Frugality was one of Uncle Ho's core virtues. For him, frugality wasn’t about being stingy, but about choosing wisely when to spend and when not to.
When unnecessary, even a single coin shouldn’t be spent. But when it’s for the benefit of the people or the country, no matter how much effort or expense, it should be done gladly. That’s true frugality.
Diligence and thrift must go hand in hand, like the two legs of a person.
Comrades, in today's market economy, there is a growing number of Party members, officials, and youth who have lost their moral compass, chasing after money and indulging in decadence. Our country is still poor, yet we face luxury, wasteful spending, and hedonism. This is a warning sign. As Party members and state officials, we must learn the virtue of frugality, not just in our homes but also in our workplaces and society. Even small acts of frugality, when combined, contribute greatly to society.
We can give many more examples of how Uncle Ho used money and material resources, illustrating the “Contradictions and Unity” approach: frugal and careful yet generous, never wasteful or stingy.
The world takes pride in Uncle Ho, and as Vietnamese people, we are doubly proud! His approach to money, food, clothing, and material resources isn’t beyond our reach. It’s not an unattainable ideal but a practical lesson we can all follow.
Distinguished comrades, Uncle Ho's love and dedication to the people were unparalleled. He gave his life completely to the nation, leaving behind an invaluable legacy—his thoughts and moral example, which embody the best traditions of our people, humanity, and the era. Each of us, living in this new era, should see his life and actions as a grand lesson, where virtue comes first, integrity is paramount, and talent serves the people and the nation, making us better people in society.
Thank you sincerely for your attentive listening, esteemed delegates and comrades!
With great respect, I bid you farewell.
7. Sample Essay on Ho Chi Minh's Moral Example (No. 2)
Honorable delegates,
Distinguished judges, organizers, and everyone attending the storytelling contest on the moral example of Ho Chi Minh!
I am truly honored to participate in today's event. I wish the contest great success!
Dear esteemed guests and fellow students! I would like to humbly share a moment with you all, as we gather to honor and reflect upon the great leader, Ho Chi Minh! These three words—Ho Chi Minh—are deeply revered and cherished in the hearts of all generations of Vietnamese people. Today, the beats of our hearts are filled with emotions of respect, pride, and gratitude for the Father of the Nation.
In this special atmosphere, I would like to share with you a small story to ignite the flame of hope – a hope for LIFE, for STRUGGLE, for WORK, and for LEARNING, following the great example of Ho Chi Minh! Fellow students and esteemed guests, in response to Bác's teachings: "The young do small things—according to their own strength", countless generations of students have embraced the campaign of 'A Thousand Good Deeds'. Over the past decades, this movement has blossomed into a field of good deeds offered to Bác as a token of gratitude from the Vietnamese youth. During his lifetime, Ho Chi Minh was always overjoyed to receive such fresh, fragrant flowers as expressions of appreciation. The moving words and advice Bác shared during his visit to the land of a thousand good deeds more than forty years ago remain a deeply meaningful story for today’s youth.
Now, I would like to present to the contest the story of Ho Chi Minh’s visit to the garden of a thousand good deeds, as referenced in the document titled '117 Stories of Ho Chi Minh's Moral Example' published by the Central Propaganda Department (pages 107 and 108).
Dear guests and friends, our beautiful country, shaped like a winding S, is truly a land of beauty everywhere, just as the poem beautifully sings: "What could be more beautiful? – The names of rivers, mountains, and the people of Vietnam!" Tam Son, Bac Ninh, is not only famous for its smooth Quan Ho folk songs but also for being the land of a thousand good deeds. This beautiful Kinh Bac region was honored to welcome Ho Chi Minh—the most noble Vietnamese of all.
It was a dreamlike morning. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, February 9, 1967, Ho Chi Minh arrived in Tam Son to meet with the ethnic delegates of Ha Bac Province at the Cam Ung Pagoda.
As Bác’s car entered the schoolyard, Nguyen The Hai, a first-grade student playing with his friends, suddenly shouted:
- Ho Chi Minh! Ho Chi Minh!
- Ho Chi Minh is visiting the homeland of a thousand good deeds.
The group of children stopped playing, gathered around Bác’s car.
A staff member stepped out of the car, gently reminding the children and opening the door for Bác to step out.
Bác smiled warmly at the children and asked:
- Are you playing for the New Year?
- Yes, Bác, we are!
- Bác, we wish you health and longevity in the new year!...
The children eagerly expressed their long-awaited wishes, but they were so nervous they couldn’t speak much… Bác was delighted. After hearing their wishes, Bác kindly asked:
- Are you all doing a thousand good deeds? Do you remember and follow my advice?
- Yes, Bác! – Nguyen The Hai stood straight and recited the five things Ho Chi Minh taught, like a group chant:
Love the Fatherland, love the people
Study well, work well
Maintain cleanliness well
Unite well, obey rules well
Be humble, honest, and courageous.
Everyone smiled. They were happy because Hai had answered correctly.
As Bác and the leaders entered the pagoda, the Honorary Children’s Team presented flowers to Bác. Bác received the bouquet from the hand of Team Leader Nguyen Toan Thang and handed it over to the staff member.
Bác asked Thang:
- Are you a good student? Have you received a reward from Bác?
- Yes, Bác! I’ve received Bác’s reward twice: once a notebook, and once two oranges.
- Now that you have received Bác’s reward, you must help your friends study well and work hard so that many others can receive Bác’s rewards. That’s the right thing to do!
- Yes, Bác!
The story of Ho Chi Minh’s visit to the garden of a thousand good deeds has concluded, but in our hearts, we all wish to say to Bác, just as the Team Leader from Tam Son, Bac Ninh, did many years ago: "Yes, Bác, we will follow your teachings and remember them well!" We will continue to remind and support each other to progress so that we can live up to Bác’s hopes:
Bác wishes for us to grow up quickly
And follow in the footsteps of our ancestors.
Dear Ho Chi Minh—our beloved Bác! On behalf of the young students of Tây Giang School, I send my heart through this song: Flowers for Bác.
The red scarves symbolize our fiery faith, like the beautiful flowers blooming across the land. Together, they come here to display their bright colors and fragrant scent. The flowers of a thousand good deeds, the flowers of diligent study, and the flowers of building the Youth League—all strive to live up to the name of Bác’s good children.
Let us strive for a thousand good deeds, study diligently, and build a strong Youth League to live up to the name of Bác’s good children.
Dear guests and friends! This heartfelt song will accompany me, and will walk side by side with the youth of Tây Giang on their path of study, training, and competition, contributing to the development of the beautiful land by the Côn River, where Bác once passed before embarking on his journey abroad to save the country and the people; also the land where Nguyễn Sinh Sắc, Bác’s father, was once a famous patriot and an official who loved the people, contributing to the mission of building a prosperous and progressive Vietnam, a country where "The people are rich, the country is strong, society is just, democratic, and civilized".
8. Sample Entry for the Storytelling Contest on the Moral Example of Ho Chi Minh (No. 3)
