(HBO) - Setting up an altar worshipping President Ho Chi Minh, hanging his picture and offering incense and flowers on holidays and festivals has become a cultural practice in the lives of many families in the northern province of Hoa Binh. Particularly, on the occasion of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), Hoa Binh people usually offer incense and flowers on the altar to show their respect to President Ho Chi Minh whom they refer to as Uncle Ho.
Pham Ngoc The, former Deputy
Director of the Hoa Binh Young Socialist Workers’ school (now known as the Hoa
Binh provincial Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities) tells young people his
memories about his meetings with Uncle Ho.
For more than 30 years, Ban Thi Sinh from Tan Minh commune, Da Bac district,
has worshipped Uncle Ho. Sinh said that to her family, Uncle Ho is the greatest leader because of his
immense contributions and devotion to national defence and development. Celebrating the National Day, Vietnamese people also miss Uncle
Ho as he passed away on September 2, 1969, she said.
Quach Dinh Thi, from Yen Mong commune, Hoa Binh city, said that
every household in the Quach family has an altar worshipping Uncle Ho. It is a
way for people to remind themselves and educate their children and
grandchildren to remember his merits and try to contribute to building their
homeland and country.
Nguyen Huu Duc, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Phu Lao
commune (now Phu Nghia commune) in Lac Thuy district, has for years collected
thousands of photos and documents about Uncle Ho, and compiled them into
volumes titled "Following Uncle Ho’s Footprints”. He also uses a solemn space in his house to display documents.
Party members and students in the commune can come there to learn about Uncle
Ho a lot.
Pham Ngoc The, former Deputy Director of the Hoa Binh Young Socialist Workers’
school(now known as the Hoa Binh provincial Boarding School for Ethnic
Minorities), said that he was so lucky to meet Uncle Ho three times. Now, he
still vividly remembers the meetings and Uncle Ho’s warm teachings.
Every year, on August 19 and September 2, The and his children
and grandchildren come to offer incense at the relic site of a visit of
President Ho Chi Minh to the Hoa Binh Young Socialist Workers’ school.
On the occasion of
the 78th anniversary of the day President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of
Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and 54th
anniversary of his death, Hoa Binh people promise to make efforts in developing
their homeland.
