SACRED MOMENTS WITH UNCLE HO
Colonel PHAM TUAN
Former Deputy Commander - Chief of Staff
President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command.
Each day, thousands of compatriots from all corners of the country and international visitors come to pay their respects at President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Year after year, generation after generation, this continuous stream of people stretches endlessly, mirroring the boundless love and reverence of the Vietnamese people for their beloved President.
In the life of every Vietnamese, there exists a deep-seated desire to visit President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at least once, to express boundless gratitude and endless affection for the unforgettable leader.
As a privileged officer proudly serving at the Mausoleum since its early days, I vividly remember profoundly moving moments related to the sentiments expressed by national leaders, delegations from both within and outside the country, and people from all walks of life who come to honor our beloved President Ho Chi Minh. These memories are the most profound during my more than 30 years of service at the Mausoleum.
Perhaps, as I hail from the South, I am often assigned to welcome delegations from the South on their visits to the Mausoleum. One of the most touching experiences was welcoming a delegation of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers from the South. My comrades and I in the Reception Committee welcomed these mothers in the most luxurious guest room. Within the delegation, many mothers were over 70 or 80 years old, walking slowly and facing difficulties. The endurance of sacrifice and loss was etched on the weathered faces of these mothers, with only their eyes retaining clarity. We served these mothers with utmost care and attention, hoping to repay, even if just a little, for the immense sacrifices they made for the independence and freedom of the nation. I empathize deeply with the profound pain of these mothers, as I, too, have a mother and three siblings who are martyrs. I spent an entire morning briefing the mothers on the preservation of President Ho Chi Minh's body, the construction of the Mausoleum, and President Ho Chi Minh's affection for the people of the South. The most touching moment was when the mothers watched a documentary about the final moments of President Ho Chi Minh's life. Upon leaving the screening room, every mother had teary eyes. One mother, wiping her tears with the hem of her áo dài, choked back tears, saying, "Last night, I couldn't sleep, eagerly awaiting the morning to come to the Mausoleum. Seeing President Ho Chi Minh's image made me miss him terribly!"
I knew these mothers were deeply moved, so before entering the Mausoleum, I encouraged them, saying, "When visiting President Ho Chi Minh, please restrain your emotions. Don't cry so that you can see President Ho Chi Minh more clearly. When you return home, you can share the experience with your children and grandchildren."
On the way to the Mausoleum, I also introduced the mothers to the Mausoleum and the precious contributions of the people from the South in building the Mausoleum. I saw the mothers looking lively, so I was reassured. However, upon entering President Ho Chi Minh's resting place, some mothers shed silent tears, and the entire delegation followed suit. When leaving the Mausoleum, I asked the mothers, "Did you see President Ho Chi Minh clearly?"
Every mother said they couldn't see President Ho Chi Minh clearly. The long-awaited moment of hope and waiting for a lifetime by these mothers had not been fulfilled. Surely, when they returned, they would not be at peace.
Thinking this, I said to my colleagues, "To give the mothers peace of mind, I will lead them to visit President Ho Chi Minh again because they came from afar, are elderly, and this might be their first and last visit to Hanoi and the Mausoleum."
I encouraged the mothers once again, "I will lead you to visit President Ho Chi Minh; this is the last time, so please don't cry to see President Ho Chi Minh more clearly."
After a while, the mothers calmed down and reminded each other not to cry. I led the mothers to tour around the back of the Mausoleum to join the line of visitors. This time, the mothers walked more slowly, allowing them to observe the scenery outside and inside the Mausoleum more closely. Stepping into President Ho Chi Minh's resting place, taking slow and deliberate steps, they attentively looked at President Ho Chi Minh, softly uttering prayers. When leaving the Mausoleum, every mother was joyful, and in my heart, I felt an indescribable joy for having fulfilled the mothers' long-cherished dream.
Upon leaving, the mothers held my hand for a long time, as if reluctant to part. One mother burst into tears and said to me through her tears, "Meeting President Ho Chi Minh, even if I die now, I will die in peace." Although her words were simple, I understood that it was the common sentiment of the entire delegation, and I couldn't hold back my tears either.
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In September 1989, a delegation of former Southern prisoners visited the North and the Mausoleum. Led by Mr. Le Quang Vinh, the delegation came up with 36 members. The Mausoleum was closed for annual maintenance on this day, but with approval from higher authorities, the delegation was allowed to visit President Ho Chi Minh in the afternoon. This was a great opportunity for these comrades, getting closer to President Ho Chi Minh, stay longer with Uncle Ho, seeing him more clearly. The delegation was honorably welcomed by Commander Nguyen Van Tuong and Presiding officer of the High Command.
During the war, these comrades were young people who participated in revolutionary activities in the South, enduring imprisonment in various U.S-backed jails, undergoing countless severe tortures, and experiencing death and resurrection multiple times. Many comrades were sentenced to death by the enemy (luckily not carried out) before the liberation of the South, and thanks to the reunification of the country, which welcomed them home. Despite being tortured with modern torture methods, these comrades gritted their teeth, maintained their radiant revolutionary spirit, and remained steadfast before the enemy. The iron brave of these prisoners were a night mare of the enemy.
The Commander guided the delegation on a visit to the Mausoleum and the surrounding areas, fostering a friendly and open atmosphere. 14 years after the liberation of the South, these comrades had the chance to visit Uncle Ho's mausoleum, they showed a face of happiness no matter how painful and brutal they had experienced. Welcoming these comrades back from their harrowing experiences, the Commander and our brothers treated the group with an incredibly intimate warmth, akin to family, fulfilling the earnest and fervent wishes they had cherished for many years – visiting Uncle Ho. Similar to the people of the South who faced numerous challenges and had no chance to welcome Uncle Ho for a visit, Uncle Ho was always in their hearts. During the brutal times of enemy torture and imprisonment in tiger cages, they silently invoked Uncle Ho’s name – Ho Chi Minh, maintaining their revolutionary spirit, staying determined to fight victoriously while waiting for the day of meeting Uncle Ho.
The long-awaited day finally arrived. Today, gathering around Uncle Ho, moving with a gentle caution as if afraid of awakening him. They walked silently around the place where Uncle Ho lay, then one by one, they ascended the high wooden platform to get a closer look to Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho's beard and hair were in their eyes of tears. Wishing for a time stretching, having more time with Uncle Ho as their first time being close to Uncle Ho, fulfilling their long-standing desires.
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When bidding farewell to the delegation of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers and the delegation of former Southern prisoners, I felt a sense of relief and joy, knowing that I had contributed a small part to fulfilling the wishes and dreams of these mothers, brothers, and sisters. However, there are some delegations that have left a lingering sadness in my heart until now. It was on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth and the inauguration of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, where thousands of people from across the country and international guests visited the Mausoleum. Among the crowd that day was a delegation of disabled veterans from Hanoi. Most of them were visually impaired veterans, including many couples who were both blind and relied on their children and comrades to guide them. My colleague Truong Dien Bien and I, the Head of the Reception Committee, welcomed the delegation and other veteran comrades, helping them into the Mausoleum. Due to the large size of the delegation, there were not enough wheelchairs, so some brothers and sisters had to walk. Watching them slowly make their way into the Mausoleum, my heart was deeply moved. As the group approached the Mausoleum, veteran comrades gently lifted some of them over the three levels of stairs to enter the room to pay respects to President Ho Chi Minh. These brothers and sisters had sacrificed their blood, bones, and most precious eyes for the independence and freedom of the homeland, for the happiness of the people. Many of them had never met President Ho Chi Minh and had cherished the dream of doing so. When the group reached the resting place of President Ho Chi Minh, the veteran comrades signaled for the delegation to stop and quietly said, "President Ho Chi Minh is in front of you!"
The entire delegation looked up, but there was no sight of President Ho Chi Minh. Everyone stood in silence, allowing tears to flow down their faces. Witnessing this scene, everyone in the room felt a deep sense of sympathy and joined in shedding tears.
As the delegation left, my colleagues and I were left pondering: While everyone entering the Mausoleum had the opportunity to see President Ho Chi Minh, how about our comrades, the visually impaired veterans? Although they couldn't see President Ho Chi Minh, he would always reside in their hearts. These brothers and sisters had come to President Ho Chi Minh with their whole hearts and souls!
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The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum has become a place where the hearts and beliefs of not only the Vietnamese people but also international friends converge. Since its opening to the public, hundreds of national leaders and millions of people from all corners of the globe, representing all skin colors, have visited the Mausoleum. Among the delegations that I had the privilege to welcome and guide into the Mausoleum, one left an incredibly profound impression on me. I distinctly remember, in December 1995, the delegation from the Communist Party and the State of Cuba, led by President Fidel Castro, visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Despite the winter weather and the windy atmosphere at Ba Dinh Square, we, the honored individuals receiving the delegation inside the Mausoleum, felt a warm atmosphere. Every Vietnamese person understands the heroic Cuban people and the globally renowned President Fidel Castro. The people of Vietnam and Cuba had a strong bond forged during the revolutionary struggle and the construction of a new life. During the harsh and intense years of the resistance against the United States, the salvation of the nation, President Fidel Castro personally visited and even went to the battlefields. He famously said, "For Vietnam, the Cuban people are ready to sacrifice even their blood."
During today's reception, although we knew the exact time of the delegation's arrival, everyone was eagerly anticipating. When the convoy stopped, President Fidel Castro, in military uniform and his iconic olive-green hat, stepped out of the car. As I approached and stood at attention to greet him, President Castro responded with the formal military protocol. I was pleasantly surprised when President Castro shook my hand, a rare and friendly gesture from a national leader. After that, I guided the delegation into the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum following the solemn ceremony reserved for heads of state. President Castro walked briskly and gracefully. In front of the Mausoleum, the delegation stopped, and President Fidel Castro approached the wreath-laying area to adjust the ribbon on the wreath briefly, a gesture demonstrating respect for President Ho Chi Minh. President Fidel Castro silently entered the room where President Ho Chi Minh lies. In front of President Ho Chi Minh, President Castro raised his hand in salute, then took off his hat, standing silently. No head of state had stood by President Ho Chi Minh for so long. It seemed like President Fidel Castro did not want to leave President Ho Chi Minh. Finally, I took the initiative to invite President Castro to leave. Looking at his expression, I could sense that he was deeply moved, not as agile as when he entered the Mausoleum, but slowly stepped out of the visiting room.
In that sacred moment, President Fidel Castro devoted all his emotions to President Ho Chi Minh and the people of Vietnam.
A rare coincidence is that I am writing these memories on the 80th birthday of President Fidel Castro. He recently underwent major surgery, shaking the emotions of the people of Cuba, Vietnam, and friends worldwide.
In recounting these memories, I would like to dedicate them to my colleagues involved in the reception as well as to all the officers, workers, and soldiers who tirelessly safeguard and preserve the absolute safety of President Ho Chi Minh's body. This ensures that present and future generations can visit and express their deepest wishes and profound feelings for President Ho Chi Minh, whom we love infinitely.
