UNCLE HO’S RESTING PLACES IN THE WAR TIME
Colonel BUI DANH CHIEU
Former officer of the Construction Department
Combat Engineer Headquarters
I remember vividly an autumn afternoon in 1968 at the evacuation area in Ha Tay. Mr. Ta Xuan Man, the Head of the Design Department of the Construction Division under the Combat Engineer Headquarters, informed me, "Return to Hanoi immediately for a new mission." Upon receiving such notice, I felt a mix of joy and concern. Joy because I was entrusted with a new mission, and concern about the new task, a new working environment, being far from colleagues and the unit—wondering if I could handle and successfully complete the assigned mission.
Our team consisted of four members at that time: Comrade Nguyen Trong Quyen in overall charge, and three of us—Mr. Pham Hoang Van, an electrical engineer; Mr. Nguyen Lam Sinh, a construction engineer; and myself, a civil engineer responsible for the design of the ventilation and air conditioning system.
Our first task was to go to Military Hospital 108 to discuss and work with the Special Medical Team led by Dr. Nguyen Gia Quyen. Our mission required us to transform the hospital's surgical area into a special laboratory with the code 75A. The main chamber had to meet the following conditions:
- Temperature: 16°C ± 0.2°C
- Humidity: 75% ± 5%
- No drafts allowed
- Absolute sterility must be maintained.
- Completion time should be as soon as possible, and absolute confidentiality must be maintained.
The first step was to search for equipment and materials available in Vietnam, followed by developing a design plan for each chamber and structure. To ensure a thorough understanding of the air conditioning system's technical specifications, we conducted continuous 24/24-hour experiments. I, along with colleagues Pham An Dong and Le Tran Dong, took turns monitoring. Afterward, we moved to Chamber 1 in the hospital's dissecting area to continue the experimental research.
The work was extremely challenging - silent yet demanding utmost patience. The dissection area was silent day and night, with the sounds of insects and rodents dominating even the noise of machines running. After numerous days and nights of research, Mr. Van and I finally discovered a way to adjust the electrical system to meet the cooling requirements of the machine.
To address condensation, we used insulating bakelite sheets on the ceiling, simultaneously ensuring sterile conditions. Looking back now, I resonate with the saying: "The harder the task, the wiser one becomes."
The most difficult part was ensuring the air supply during the period 37 years ago[II], when machines were scarce and rudimentary. Moreover, the country was in the midst of a war, facing numerous challenges. In the end, we found a solution by using the hot air from the WPH-105 machine mixed with the cold air from the UC-26 machine. The test results were successful.
Project 75B was a small project serving the National Funeral Ceremony at Ba Dinh Square. Despite its size, the technical challenges were immense. I had to be on standby regularly beside the machine for adjustments. Sometimes, the formaldehyde and chemicals leak, causing irritation to the eyes. To ensure the job, I spent many sleepless nights. At times when drowsiness overwhelmed me, I poured cold water on my head to stay alert and continue working. I have a small unforgettable memory during these days: at a meeting of the funeral committee to check preparations, I fell asleep after only hearing Deputy Chief of Staff Phung The Tai speak for 5 minutes. Those around me noticed but, knowing that we had been working continuously through the nights, they chose not to wake me up, allowing me a brief moment of rest. Chief Tai also understood and generously forgave.
Objective realities presented a new challenge that forced us to think and find solutions. At that time, Ba Dinh Square did not have air conditioning; there were only basic ventilation fans. The heat and humidity from the crowd visiting President Ho Chi Minh's remains, combined with the heat from the lights for filming and photography, affected the temperature of the glass casket, leading to condensation. After many days and nights of experiments and research, forgetting to eat and sleep, we found a solution: using the fan speed of desk fans, combined with cold air around the glass casket, to address the issue.
In response to the trust of the Party, the Government, the people, and the military, we worked day and night, racing against time, ensuring the best progress and quality. At the end of August 1969, a Soviet medical delegation and the steering committee for preserving President Ho Chi Minh's remains inspected Projects 75A and 75B and concluded that they met the conditions for preserving President Ho Chi Minh's remains during the initial stages of the funeral.
During the National Funeral Ceremony at Ba Dinh Square, our team and the leaders of the Military Command were always present, never leaving our positions for a minute. On the third day of the President's lying in state, Comrade Nguyen Luong Bang, Central Committee member and head of the Central Inspection Commission, asked us: "Can you ensure additional time for the people to pay their respects?" We confidently replied, "Technically, we can absolutely guarantee it, for as long as needed."
Next was the renovation of Project K9 (later renamed K84), a long-term preservation facility for President Ho Chi Minh's remains during the war. It consisted of two areas: an above-ground section and an underground section to protect against enemy bombings. The project had to be completed within three months under challenging construction conditions: no electricity grid, insufficient water supply for air conditioning equipment, strict adherence to secrecy rules prohibiting explosives and large construction machinery.
The design, electrical, water, air conditioning, and construction teams worked continuously day and night. We all understood the significance of this crucial and historically important task, so everyone made tremendous efforts, shared the same determination, love, and encouraged each other to successfully complete the mission. On December 15, 1969, Project K9 was completed, surpassing the prescribed time by 10 days and renamed K84. Early on the morning of December 24 that year, President Ho Chi Minh's remains were moved to K84 for long-term protection during the fierce war against the imperialist invaders.
In 1972, President Nixon ordered the resumption of bombing in the North. American bombs wreaked havoc in many places, including Hanoi and Hai Phong. Although K84 was located far from Hanoi, it fell within the flight path of American planes. In anticipation of fierce retaliation, the Central Party Committee and Central Military Committee decided to move President Ho Chi Minh's body to a safer location before July 15, 1972. We were once again tasked with building this facility. Alongside comrades Pham Hoang Van and Hoang Quang Ba, I was ordered to survey the design and construction on-site. We set a goal to complete the work within 20 days. The location was in a forested mountainous area, damp and humid, with countless mosquitoes. The road was difficult, there was no electricity or water, and food was extremely scarce. However, difficulties did not weaken our spirits and determination. With boundless love and gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, guided by Lieutenant General Pham Ngoc Mau, the project was completed on time, ensuring quality. Just over a week after completing the project, the beloved President's body were brought here for safekeeping.
More than a third of a century has passed, but every time I recall those thoughts, emotions, sleepless nights, and the dedicated teamwork, I am deeply moved. These are unforgettable years, years of "overcoming all difficulties" to fulfill the glorious task entrusted by the Party and the people.
Our technical team collaborated with the medical team to jointly preserve President Ho Chi Minh's remains until being brought to the Mausoleum. We were deeply touched when we heard that the Scientific Council, consisting of Soviet and Vietnamese health experts, concluded after inspection that, despite moving across a tropical climate, President Ho Chi Minh's appearance remained intact as when he was alive, and conditions were sufficient for long-term preservation.
Rewriting these brief memories, I only want to convey that in the 20th century, during the harsh war years of our country, the engineers and soldiers of the engineering corps silently built secret facilities where President Ho Chi Minh rested during the war, contributing their small part to the long-term preservation of President Ho Chi Minh's beloved body.
The workplace of President Ho Chi Minh and the Central Committee at Da Chong (1960-1969)
Preservation Site for President Ho Chi Minh's Body (1969-1975)
The Party leaders, members of the National Assembly, government officials, and representatives from the Vietnam Fatherland Front honored President Ho Chi Minh during the Mausoleum's inauguration ceremony on August 29, 1975.
Fellow citizens and international guests visit the Mausoleum to pay respects to President Ho Chi Minh.
Military parade commemorating the 60th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2005).
Facilitating the live television broadcast connecting the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh with the city named after Uncle Ho and Thai Nguyen province on the occasion of commemorating the 60th anniversary of National Resistance Day (December 19, 1946 - December 19, 2006).
