ONE DAY AND FOREVER[I]
Major General TRAN KINH CHI
Command cum Political Commissar of
the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Rooster (1969), Uncle Ho embarked on the first journey of the year to the Air Defense - Air Force troops. Aware that these troops had to face the formidable and battle-hardened U.S. Air Force. Accompanying Uncle Ho on a visit, I could not hold back my concerns and a sense of heart touching pain. I realized the fact, Uncle Ho's health had seriously declined. Harmonizing in the joyful atmosphere of the soldiers, I could not stop my worry for his health, just wanting to inform that: “Dear comrades, Uncle Ho is not really healthy for now, but he unlocked his limit to immerse in the crowd's happiness.” However, It was not possible to inform that. Despite his deteriorated health, he always kept a friendly smile, exuded warmth and love when greeting the soldiers. The more bright and the more proud the Air Defense - Air Force troops expressed, the more happy he felt. Very little or zero participants could imagine that it was the last time being with Uncle Ho. A surge of different emotions overwhelmed me, as I could not hold back from tears and choking.
After the trip to the Air Defense - Air Force, he visited and sent new year wishes to the people of Bat Bat district, Ha Tay. In the heroic village of Vat Lai, he took a rest on Vat Lai hill, gazing at Mountain Tan Vien, seemingly at peace before the lush landscape. It was here that Uncle Ho had planted banyan trees, whose shade still reminds future generations, with the need to keep the environment in safe hands.
During Uncle Ho's 1969 birthday celebration, a meeting with the participation of generals, commanders, and leaders from the Ministry of National Defense was organized at the Prime Minister Palace. During the meeting with Uncle Ho, comrades such as Le Duan, Truong Chinh, Vo Nguyen Giap, Van Tien Dung, Song Hao attended. Uncle Ho delivered his talk, with a reminder and encouragement, aiming at striving for the better. Comrade Vuong Thua Vu, on behalf of the generals and senior officers of the army, expressed sincere wishes for the good health of Uncle Ho, giving flowers to celebrate his birthday.
Uncle Ho reciprocated by giving back the gifts to the delegates, encouraging them to strive for the better, promising more flowers of victories to come.
Following this meeting, the healthcare team of Uncle Ho extremely raised a concern, reporting to the Political Bureau that his heart was showing signs of myocardial ischemia. The Political Bureau decided to invite Chinese doctors to provide medical treatment for Uncle Ho. From August 1969 onwards, Uncle Ho's health continued to deteriorate.
On August 12, 1969, despite a heavy storm, upon hearing that the diplomatic delegation in Paris had returned, Uncle Ho immediately visited them at Ho Tay guesthouse, listening to the reports and providing mental support for the diplomatic front strategy. Afterward, he went back to inspect the task of flood prevention in Ha Noi.
Coming back from the trip, Uncle Ho caught a cold. He developed a persistent cough the next day. On August 23, 1969, doctors administered antibiotics and performed electrocardiograms, revealing signs of heart failure.
On August 28, 1969, Uncle Ho's heart showed signs of arrhythmia and atrioventricular gland disorders.
In mid-August 1969, with Uncle Ho's health showing increasingly negative signs, the Central Military Commission made the decision to establish a Steering Committee for the preservation of Uncle Ho's body. The committee included comrades such as Lieutenant General Le Quang Dao, member of Central Party Committee, member of Central Military Commission, Deputy Chief of the General Political Department, and Head of the Committee; Lieutenant General Pham Ngoc Mau, Deputy Chief of the General Political Department; Colonel Phung The Tai, Deputy Chief of the General Staff; Colonel Vu Van Can, Deputy Chief of the General Logistics Directorate, Director of the Army Medical Department; Colonel Tran Kinh Chi, Director of the Military Security Directorate.
The Steering Committee appointed Comrade Phung The Tai as the Deputy Head and me as the standing member, responsible for coordinating the specific tasks of the Steering Committee. Based on mission requirements during different periods, the committee mobilized additional forces, coping with the increasingly complex situation.
Monitoring Uncle Ho's health hour-to-hour, day-to-day, we knew that the most critical period was approaching. The Steering Committee urgently conducted inspections in all aspects of preparation, completing remaining tasks promptly, and suspending all leaves and academic activities for officers and soldiers involved in the mission. The Military Security Directorate and Battalion 144 organized a convoy of five vehicles, including two ambulances and three Gaz cars. Selected comrades, including Hoang Dinh Thinh, the driver from the General Logistics Directorate, and Nguyen Van Nhich, the driver from the General Staff Directorate, were assigned to drive the ambulances. Other vehicles were managed by drivers from the Military Security Directorate. Every night, the drivers worked tirelessly, enduring hardship and intensive training, always completing the duties, allowing continuous transportation in various situations and on different routes.
Some officers and soldiers from Battalion 144 and the Military Security Directorate were selected for training. They wore police uniforms or disguised themselves as ordinary people, patrolling the streets along the convoy route. They prepared for the worst, all problems (such as vehicle breakdowns, traffic jams, accidents, sabotage) were well anticipated, and solutions were always ready to solve.
The Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of National Defense was tasked with establishing accommodations, renovations, and equipping the best facilities. The needs of personnel, two cars, assigned drivers, and administrative staff, along with two officers from the Military Security Protection Department (Comrade Vu Quang Kha - interpreter, and Comrade Hoan - liaison officer) were also well fulfilled. A security platoon from Battalion 144 served as a side support for the medical experts from the Soviet Union. Comrade Vu Quang Kha was appointed to be in charge of general tasks. Several officers from the Combat Engineer Headquarters, Battalion 144, and some officers and soldiers from the Military Security Directorate (Tong Xuan Dai, Mac Ho, Nhu, Tan, etc.) were assigned specific roles to manage various tasks under the Steering Committee's direction. Comrade Nguyen Van Hanh, Head of the Military Security Directorate, was tasked with general management of units, directly serving at Building 75A and 75B.
At the end of August 1969, the Steering Committee rechecked all facilities, units, and preparations. We then reported to comrades Nguyen Luong Bang, Tran Quoc Hoan, Le Van Luong, and the Political Bureau: All preparations satisfied the needs of the highest quality. Every member, every unit, and every facility hoped for the best, but yet ready to prepare for the worst.
During this time, seeing Uncle Ho's health deteriorate significantly, the Central Party Committee notified the Political Bureau of the Central Party Committee, requesting immediate assistance from the Soviet Union, asking their medical delegations for a timely arrival in Ha Noi, initiating tasks of preserving Uncle Ho’s body.
On August 28, 1969, the Soviet medical delegation arrived in Hanoi. The delegation, led by Comrade X.X. Debop - Academician of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, Deputy Chairman of the Soviet Academy of Medical Sciences, and Director of the Institute of Scientific Preservation of Lenin's body. He was welcomed by senior officers and leaders of Party and State upon arrival, allowing his easy access to work. The delegation then inspected Buildings 75A and 75B and reviewed the preparations made by the Special Medical Team. After the inspection, the delegation concluded that conditions were sufficient enough, facilitating the initial process of preserving Uncle Ho’s body, allowing seamless organizing for the funeral ceremony. Our Steering Committee could take a deep breath afterwards.
Meanwhile, at the medical room, doctors still keep an eye on Uncle Ho's health, taking good care of him everyday. Party officials visited regularly, informing updates on the country's situation. The more news of victories from the Southern battlefield, the more happiness Uncle Ho felt.
On August 30, 1969, Comrade Pham Van Dong visited and reported on the preparations for the upcoming National Independence Day celebration on September 2. After hearing the report, Uncle Ho demanded "Do not forget to set off fireworks so that everyone's spirit could be elevated." However, who would be happy watching fireworks when Uncle’s health was seriously deteriorating?
On August 31, 1969, upon hearing the news that the Air Defense Forces had shot down a US UAV(which was downed on August 30), Uncle Ho showed a sign of satisfaction. He requested the Presidential Office to immediately send congratulatory flowers and praise the Air Defense Forces. The 361st Air Defense Division soldiers could not imagine, these flowers were the last gifts given by our beloved leader.
That day, thanks to the good news, Uncle Ho’s spirit was lifted up, he managed to finish a bowl of porridge, making everyone feel a sense of outstanding happiness. The attending doctors were surprised yet still remained worried, understanding that the improvement was just temporary.
And then, the most unexpected scenario was yet to come.
On the morning of September 2, 1969, while the entire nation was celebrating National Independence Day. In a small and simple room, located close to Uncle Ho's stilt house, on a simple wooden bed covered with a plain mat, our beloved Ho Chi Minh was taking his last breaths. Surrounding him were Party officials from the Central Committee, Political Bureau, professors, doctors, and medical staff. Comrade Vu Ky, Uncle Ho's closest aide, sat by the bed, continuously fanning him with a palm leaf fan.
All efforts did not pay off, exactly at 9:47AM, Uncle Ho's heart stopped beating.
The palm leaf fan slipped from Comrade Vu Ky's hand, and he collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably. The doctors continued their efforts, performing massages and artificial respiration with a fragile hope that the great and loving heart of Uncle Ho would restart, saving him from death. But it was just a hope which could not come true. A moment later, while discussing with the emergency medical team, Comrade Pham Van Dong sadly gestured, "Please stop comrades, let Uncle Ho rest in peace." Everyone present at Uncle Ho's bedside could not hold back from tears.
Updates on Uncle Ho's health had been continuously communicated to Building 75A. At Building 75A, comrades Nguyen Luong Bang, Le Quang Dao, Phung The Tai, and I closely followed the situation at the Presidential Palace via telephone. Soviet experts and the special medical team were on standby.
The updates on Uncle Ho's health situation were consistently in touch with Building 75A. At Building 75A, comrades Nguyen Luong Bang, Le Quang Dao, Phung The Tai, and I closely monitored the situation at the Presidential Palace through the telephone. Soviet experts and the special medical team were specifically instructed to be on standby.
At 10 AM., in pain, I reluctantly hung up the phone and informed those present at Building 75A, "Uncle has passed away." Comrade Phung The Tai, in tears, gave orders to everyone: "Get into position."
Wiping away my tears and rushing to the command vehicle, we were ordered to drive to the Presidential Palace. Sitting in the vehicle, there were comrades Nguyen Gia Quyen, Nguyen Van Chau, Nguyen Trung Hat, the Special Medical Team, and Comrade Do Hai - the political officer of Battalion 144.
Upon reaching the entrance of the Presidential Palace, the convoy stopped. Only the ambulance with the license plate FH1468, driven by Comrade Nguyen Van Hop, was ordered to go through. The ambulance arrived in front of Uncle's stilt house, where Comrade Tran Quoc Hoan was waiting. He embraced me, saying with tears, "It happened! Comrades, stay calm and perform your duties well." When he saw me and the Special Medical Team, Comrade Pham Van Dong, also in tears, waved his hand and said, "Alright, make some space for the specialists to do their job."
Seeing Uncle lying peacefully on the bed, tears welled up in my eyes. But just after a while, I suddenly realized a need to be highly aware and lucid. As his bodyguard, it is not uncommon to guarantee him in safe hands, without difference from previous official trips. With this thought, I calmed myself down, and along with the Special Medical Team, entered. "Comrades, be cautious!" - I made the request while they were relocating Uncle Ho from the bed to the stretcher. I was always beside Uncle on the way from the house to the vehicle. At this moment, I paid no attention to anyone around me “Make some space for moving Uncle Ho" - Did I seem to have said like that. People spread to both sides, forming an honor guard. These were all members of the Political Bureau- his outstanding disciples.
When Uncle was safely settled in the vehicle, I quickly observed and made an order: "Let's go." The vehicle smoothly moved out of the Presidential Palace gate. At that moment, all vehicles were maintained at the right positions and the right distances. The convoy escorted Uncle through Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Nhat Duat, Tran Quang Khai, Le Thanh Tong streets , heading to 75A. On the command vehicle, I observed the peaceful streets of Hanoi. Life seemed lively as everyone was hustling for the National Day. No one could have imagined uncompensable loss and profound sorrow that our entire nation was facing. At street intersections, I glimpsed the sentinels on duty, standing at attention as the convoy passed. Looking into the eyes of these soldiers, I understood that they were bidding a farewell to our beloved Uncle. They knew the most significant farewell in the nation's history had come, yet they remained silent and vigilant. They were the guards protecting the journey of the Leader. They must not leave the right positions, and must not let tears fall.
When the vehicle stopped in front of 75A, everyone rushed to welcome. I only managed to get out of the vehicle and report to comrades Nguyen Luong Bang, Le Quang Dao, and Phung The Tai: "Comrades, Uncle Ho has arrived."
I had been accompanying Uncle Ho during numerous official trips, but never had there been such a sorrowful journey. Throughout the way from the Presidential Palace to 75A, I constantly clenched my teeth, recalling myself, "Don't cry! Don't shed tears." But now, after completing the examination report, when the Soviet and Special Medical Team experts began moving Uncle to a special chamber, I could no longer hold it back.
In the special chamber, there were Soviet medical experts, comrades from the Special Medical Team, Comrade Phung The Tai, and I approached to monitor the process and report promptly to the leaders. At the same time, we also took on the task of caring for the Soviet and Vietnamese experts.
The general principles and requirements of long-term preservation of Uncle's body were:
- Preserve his original shape of Uncle's body, making no different from his alive appearance
- Ensure the long-term preservation of Uncle Ho's body.
- Ensure continuous stream of visitors easy access to the Mausoleum without an obstacle.
To the best of our knowledge, only the Soviet Union had accomplished such a technique of scientific preservation worldwide.
Comrades from the Special Medical Team of Vietnam, who were excellent specialists, with prolonged training and education of body preservation for two years, were assigned this task. However, driven by a sense of high responsibility and love for Uncle Ho, Professors Iu.M. Lopukhin, Academician x.x. De-bop, and Professor I.N. Mi-khai-lop directly carried out the medical work to preserve Uncle's body., with the assistance of two physicians, Nguyen Gia Quyen and Le Dieu - members of the Special Medical Team of Vietnam. In the quiet room, the sound of everyone’s heartbeat seemed to make noise. The medical experts were also deeply touched. After all preparations were completed, everyone stood silently in front of Uncle for a few seconds before Comrade Iu.M. Lopukhin raised his head and ordered, "Let's start."
One unique aspect was that despite Uncle Ho's old age and frail health, his circulatory system was still generally clear, even in the capillary systems. This was a testament to his excellence of frequent exercise. Thanks to this advantage, allowing easy preservation, as every capillary needed meticulous care. It was a highly delicate task. The Soviet medical experts performed this task with great love, profound respect for our Leader, high scientific spirit, and exceptional talent.
Later on, whenever it looked like rain outdoors, I would feel a strange chill, shivering. Although my life had experienced numerous days of hardship, rare victories, and endured many pains, losses, never before had I lived through such a heavy, painful day. During the days when Uncle passed away, Hanoi seemed to be burdened under a gloomy, swollen sky. The news of the nation's profound grief was not allowed to spread, but it appeared that gradually everyone in Hanoi, even the plants and trees, could sense that overwhelming loss.
For me, September 2, 1969, was an unforgettable day etched in my memory. Also from that day onwards, I realized that the mission to protect Uncle Ho, especially safeguarding his spiritual legacy, remained a significant duty for us, and our future generations were about to embark on that journey. The security mission, therefore, does not confine itself to a specific space or time. He might have departed, but the guardians, the soldiers close to him, are always by his side, always ready to act to protect the sacred values he left for the nation, the Party, and humanity. This is a crucial realization that I deeply understood on that solemn day.
