A RESOLUTION OF INDEPENDENT AND AUTONOMOUS WILL
Colonel DO VAN KHOAN
Former Secretary of the Party Committee, Deputy Commander of Politics
President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command
In December 1980, after completing the supplementary cultural course of the Ministry of National Defense, I was assigned to Unit 969 - the unit responsible for safeguarding the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. I was deeply moved and thought, "This is a great honor and an incredibly heavy responsibility that I had never dared to imagine."
Within the unit, I took on the role of Head of Propaganda Division - Political Department, living and working in a close-knit environment with experienced senior comrades who provided valuable support. With the backing of various agencies, units, and dedicated party members, I successfully fulfilled my tasks, gradually being appointed to positions such as Deputy Chief, Chief of Political Department, and Deputy Commander of Politics. The Party trusted me with roles in the Party Committee and Standing Committee and as the Deputy Secretary cum Party Committee Secretary of Unit 969.
During my more than three terms as the Party Secretary, I contributed to Standing Committee and Party Committee of Unit 969, advising numerous important resolutions related to the leadership of the mission to preserve the body of President Ho Chi Minh. However, the most profound impact on me was Resolution No. 150 issued by the Standing Committee regarding the leadership of the mission. This resolution was forward-looking, closely aligned with reality, and demonstrated the spirit of independence, self-reliance, and the strong determination to safeguard President Ho Chi Minh's body.
By 1986, after almost two decades of collaboration with the Soviet Union, our medical and technical staff had matured considerably. They were adept at regularly mastering techniques, utilizing established methods to monitor developments on the corpse, operating technical equipment, and ensuring a sterile environment. Our team demonstrates the capability to handle complex situations arising from war, floods, or unpredicted circumstances.
However, numerous problems and obstacles persisted. Despite our nearly 20-year partnership with the Soviet Union, they maintain absolute secrecy about chemicals, preservation techniques, and never shared the test results with us. Their laboratory’s test results had never been revealed, making us were completely clueless about the preserving human techniques.
Furthermore, in scientific research, we faced shortages of equipment, chemicals, specialized personnel, and a cohesive scientific rationale to explain phenomena and eliminate factors affecting the body.
At that time, the implementation of Resolution No. 07 and later Resolution No. 27 faced difficulties. Comrade Nguyen Hong Quang, Deputy Commander of Politics, was a seasoned cadre who actively participated in two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism. Holding various positions, he possessed extensive experience in establishing retirement units. Shortly thereafter, comrade Luong Soan, a pre-uprising officer with a history of involvement in both wars and early contributions to the construction of Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, passed away. In his professional life, he was known for being a dedicated officer with a strong sense of responsibility. Among his teammates, he maintained close and sincere relationships. To his family, he was a loving husband and father deeply devoted to his wife and children. Despite the challenges faced during the subsidy period, he never exploited his position for personal gain. His passing left a void in the Party Committee and the unit, leaving officers, employees, and soldiers in a state of profound grief.
Following this, the Standing Committee and the High Command underwent restructuring. Comrade Nguyen Van Tuong assumed the role of Commander - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee; I took on the position of Deputy Commander of Politics – the Party Committee Secretary; Comrade Duong Duc Thac became the Head of Political Department - a member of the Standing Committee. The newly formed Standing Committee promptly convened to discuss the medical tasks at hand. A major focus was on providing advice, making proposals, and submitting reports to the Standing Committee of the Central Military Party Committee, urging the issuance of a thematic resolution concerning the medical responsibility of preserving Uncle Ho's body. This resolution was deemed essential to serve as a robust foundation and support for the unit. The Commander took the lead in preparing the necessary documents for submission to the Standing Central Military Party Committee.
During the Standing Central Military Party Committee meeting, comrade Tuong and I were invited to attend and directly hear the profound opinions of key figures such as Comrades Le Duc Anh - Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Party Committee and Minister of National Defense; Comrade Nguyen Quyet - Director of the General Political Department; and Comrade Doan Khue - Chief of the General Staff. The comrades reiterated that the cause of preserving Uncle Ho's body held immense importance with both national and international implications. It symbolized the sentiments and beliefs of compatriots, soldiers nationwide, and international friends towards Uncle Ho, the Vietnamese people, and the socialist regime. The Standing Committee of the Central Military Party Committee and the Ministry of National Defense expressed their trust and continued to assign significant responsibility to the Party Committee and the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command.
On February 25, 1988, Resolution No. 50 of the Standing Central Military Party Committee regarding the execution of the task of preserving the body of President Ho Chi Minh was officially released. Subsequently, the Party Committee of Unit 969 promptly convened an extraordinary conference on March 17, 1988, to thoroughly comprehend and affirm their determination to successfully fulfill this special political task.
In accordance with the policy and direction outlined by the Standing Central Military Party Committee, the Standing Party Committee of Unit 969 was tasked with expeditiously preparing well-thought-out and meticulous resolutions. These resolutions were aimed at providing clear and stringent guidance, directing the Party in carrying out the crucial responsibility of preserving Uncle Ho's body.
On November 15, 1988, the Unit 969 Party Committee held a conference where invited comrades, including Nguyen Van Tham - Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, Nguyen Quang Tan - Technical Chairman, and several other leading officers of Institute 69, listened to Comrade Nguyen Gia Quyen, Deputy Commander, reporting on the mission of preserving President Ho Chi Minh's body.
This conference addresses significant issues not only domestically but also internationally, particularly emphasizing the nation's commitment to preserving the safety of President Ho Chi Minh's body and maintaining the special solidarity with Soviet experts. All participants raised their oppinion in the voice of passion and activeness.
Comrade Nguyen Quang Tan affirmed, "The science of preserving human bodies is an expertise exclusive to the Soviet Union. Despite not being officially shared with us, nearly 20 years of direct collaboration should allow us to comply our understanding, achievements, shortcomings, and areas for improvement. This forms the basis for our discussions and future orientations."
Comrade Nguyen Van Chau stated, "If that technique is transferred to us, all the best efforts should be made, ensuring a seamless operation with a determination and decisiveness. This political is our mission, not for the future generations to come. Scientific research as a dedicated research institute was neccesitated to be conducted, facilitating the chance of success. This involves effective training for leading and specialized cadres, along with reporting to superiors to ensure consistent resource allocation."
The concerns expressed by the scientists resonate with the Standing Committee. The Commander and I engaged in numerous discussions, actively preparing all necessary factors. We carefully assessed the medical work situation, conducted scientific research, and boldly proposed appropriate policies and measures.
On March 09, 1989, the Standing Party Committee of Unit 969 convened its final session. After a meticulous analysis of the current situation, the conference acknowledged that, while the achieved results represent only the initial step towards the long-term preservation of President Ho Chi Minh's body, they are nonetheless crucial accomplishments with both scientific and practical significance. In addition to the guidance from above and your assistance, we have independently established the foundational infrastructure for a body preservation research institute in a tropical climate. Our research focuses on the effects of various factors, including medical, biological, chemical, and physical factors, as well as techniques for embalming and preserving corpses under specific conditions in Vietnam. We have successfully trained a proficient team capable of technical operations and handling the available equipment.
On March 09, 1989, the Standing Party Committee of Unit 969 held its final session. After a thorough analysis of the situation, the conference unanimously concluded: In comparison to the long-term preservation requirements of President Ho Chi Minh's body, the achieved results were just a beginning. However, scientific and practical implications had been successfully absorbed, making a significant milestone in history. Alongside the leadership and guidance from above and Soviet assistance, we proactively established the initial foundation of the Institute for researching the impact of various factors, including medical, biological, chemical, and physical aspects, on preserving the body under specific conditions in Vietnam. A group of skilled members of personnel in technical operations, with the ability to operate the equipment at our disposal.
Based on the evaluation, the Standing Committee defined the oriented solutions: The healthcare task of preserving President Ho Chi Minh's body is top priority of entire Command. Institute 69, as the specialized unit, is directly responsible for the task, collaborating with the Soviet Union in producing preservative substances and undertaking scientific research. It also serves as an advisory body to assist the Party Committee, led by the Standing Committee and Commander, in directing the long-term healthcare task.
It is necessary to continue leveraging the comprehensive support from the Soviet Union, coordinating with experts to carry out the preservation task actively. We must actively research and acquire complete knowledge of technical procedures, material conditions, aiming to have the capability to preserve the body in case of disruptions due to war or flooding…
After three years of meticulous and democratic preparations, utilizing the collective intelligence of the entire Party Committee, with the Standing Committee at the center, along with the Party Committee of Institute 69 and the team of officials leading the healthcare and scientific and technical work, Resolution No. 50 of the Central Military Party Committee paved the way. Thus, Resolution No. 150 gained vitality, guiding the Party Committee and the unit to assert their independence, self-reliance, and ascend as masters in the noble mission of preserving President Ho Chi Minh's body.
On March 16, 1989, Resolution No. 150 on the leadership of the healthcare task for preserving President Ho Chi Minh's body was issued, disseminated, thoroughly implemented at all levels of the Party Committee and the unit, with specific work contents.
The investment and upgrade strategy for Institute 69 to complete the special political task was directed by the Ministry of National Defense through Decision No. 324/QĐ-BVL on May 17, 1990. The new organizational structure of Institute 69 consisted of a Director and suitable departments for the mission: Managing all healthcare work related to the long-term preservation of President Ho Chi Minh's body; developing a long-term research strategy, determining research plans for each stage; managing scientific research activities and organizing research projects at various levels from local to state level.
Simultaneously, the Institute also focused on training a team of scientifically qualified and experienced personnel, investing in modern equipment. Institute 69 actively trained officers, successfully completing numerous scientific research projects. Dozens of officers and staff were sent to Russia for further studies, and many achieved doctorates, master's degrees, and second-degree specializations. This force made significant contributions to the outstanding completion of the mission to preserve President Ho Chi Minh's body safely.
Looking back at those years, a very short period in the career of long-term preservation and absolute safety of President Ho Chi Minh's body, there were many complex changes that highlighted the special importance for the unit. With the leadership and guidance from above, the Party Committee and the unit had the correct orientation and high determination to overcome all difficulties and challenges in the transitional phase. They opened a new turning point on the path of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, actively innovating, and taking charge of the long-term mission of preserving President Ho Chi Minh's body for current and future generations to visit indefinitely.
