I. LAST DAYS OF UNCLE HO
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Historically, it is not common to have someone with such a massive influence as Uncle Ho, his name and legacy are intimately intertwined with the destiny of an entire nation. Uncle Ho is always with us in every breath, and his thoughts are always here with our destinies. "Uncle Ho," the most adorable and sacred name that our entire people have bestowed upon our beloved leader. Uncle Ho is a man of simplicity and friendliness. There is very little or zero distance between ordinary people and Uncle Ho - the revered leader. Uncle Ho has become an indispensable principle both political and spiritual of the country. Considering himself as an individual, but for us, he is everything.
Numerous heroes, shouting loudly before their sacrifice, "Viva La President Ho!", "Viva La Uncle Ho!" In numerous battlefields, that simple yet heartfelt exclamation against the enemy resonated like an oath, embodying the revolutionary spirit of soldiers who were "loyal to the nation, devoted to the people." It is also a heartfelt aspiration, a revolutionary soldier's wish for Uncle Ho's health. Those on the verge of sacrifice wish for Uncle Ho's enduring health, longevity, and the desire for his everlasting life staying with people and country is shared by alive citizens.
However, his health no longer remained positive as expectations of our people and our party. We were on the most challenging stage of the Vietnam War during the 1960s. Half a million American troops aggressively attacked the South, initiating the most brutal warfare in history. Reports of innocents being killed and prosperous villages in the South being devastated had become a painful sorrow of Uncle Ho. As time flies, Uncle Ho's health had been a problem. Once Uncle Ho was advised to quit smoking by his doctors, then he complied. However, just a while later, his health even got worse due to lack of cigarettes. So doctors had to allow him to continue smoking. A cigarette played a significant role as Uncle Ho's companion, making his after working time and his family time stress-free.
In 1962, when the first delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam visited the North, representing the 14 million Southern compatriots, requesting for the Central Party and the Northern citizens before their departure to South: "Endeavours must be made to take care and maintain Uncle Ho well-being, so that Southern compatriots can have a chance gathering with him once the country turns a new chapter of reunification."
In May 1967, following the celebration of Uncle Ho's 77th birthday, the Political Bureau convened an extraordinary meeting to discuss his health protection and ready for the long-term preservation of his body after his loss. The meeting was hosted by Comrade Le Duan, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party. The conference had listed two key requirements:
- Confidentiality must be strictly maintained; otherwise, making people worried, leading to Uncle Ho's criticism towards the Political Bureau, prohibiting the plan implemented.
- Excellent doctors must be sent to the Soviet Union, studying the science of preserving human body. Specific personnel selection has been assigned to the Central Organization Committee.
The conference also unanimously assigned this special task to the Central Military Commission, due to the military's outstanding accomplishments on whatever tasks. On the other hand, Comrade Nguyen Luong Bang, on behalf of the Central Party, was appointed by the Political Bureau to monitor and take a good care of Uncle Ho's health.
As a man of simplicity, the destiny of the nation and people was always his central concern. Uncle Ho frequently urges the entire Party and our entire nation to thrift for more. Therefore, Political Bureau's decision completely went against with his point of view. Uncle Ho's simple wishes when passing away were: to be cremated, with his ashes placed in three urns atop three low hills in the North, Central, and South regions. This way might bring him closer to the fellows and people. Additionally, Uncle Ho also emphasized that plenty of shade-providing trees and rest areas should be on each hill, allowing tireless trips for visitors.
However, the entire Party and our entire nation's sacred desire is to preserve Uncle Ho’s body, unlocking Uncle Ho's presence for future generations. It is a great honor that our Party bestows upon the Vietnamese future generations.
The Political Bureau with a hope to implement as soon as possible, decided to appoint Comrade Le Thanh Nghi, on behalf of our Party and Government, visiting the Soviet Union and seeking assistance in various aspects, including the training of comrades for the long-term preservation of Uncle Ho's body. Certainly, Comrade Le Thanh Nghi also had to keep this trip non-disclosed to Uncle Ho. Driven by profound gratitude and a comprehensive understanding of Uncle Ho's significant role in the national liberation movement and the international communist movement, the Soviet Party and Government affirmed their unwavering support to assist Vietnam unconditionally in the long-term preservation of President Ho Chi Minh’s body and the construction of his Mausoleum.
The journey was a great success. Nevertheless, from that moment, a keen awareness of Uncle Ho's health became everyone's concerns, a sense of emptiness started to emerge, an indistinct void that is uncompensated the impending absence of Uncle Ho in the future, a burden on shoulder of every citizen and every soldier. Nobody wishes for his end, but it is irresistible to think of it.
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His most significant pain was the South still being under the control of the US, and country reunification had not been a truth. In a meeting with a Cuban journalist in 1966, Uncle Ho placed a hand on his chest and said, "Every household and every individual in the South has each own pain, and my pain is the sum of those." Also in that year, he declared an enduring principle: "Nothing is more precious than independence and liberty." That principle had become a guidance for many hindered nations with desires of independence and freedom.
The South Vietnam is forever in Uncle Ho's heart, and he always holds a place in hearts of Southern citizens. In 1946, facing the threat of country disconnection and attack to the South, Uncle Ho affirmed: "The Southern brethren are all Vietnamese citizens." "Rivers may run dry, mountains may erode one day, but that truth stays unchanged."
In the most brutal war time, saving the country from the US occupation, there were no days Uncle Ho making no calls to General Vo Nguyen Giap about military situation's updates in the South. Visiting the South is the heartfelt wish of Uncle Ho during his last days. Uncle Ho proposed to the Political Bureau that for a South visit arrangement, Truong Son trail by road or Hanoi - Phnom Penh by air. However, due to worrying his uncertain health, the Political Bureau looked for ways to postpone the trip by all means. Previously, after returning from a visit to Thai Binh, Uncle Ho experienced complications related to cerebral artery spasm.
In the spring of 1968, Uncle Ho was invited by the Chinese Party and State, traveled to Beijing for a break with medical treatment. Comrade Le Duc Tho visited Uncle Ho in Beijing before undertaking duties to the South. Upon hearing Comrade Le Duc Tho's report about the upcoming trip, Uncle Ho earnestly suggested to the Political Bureau for a South visit, satisfying his misses. He said, "Once arriving, you should discuss Comrade Hung (Pham Hung), arranging my trip to visit the people in the South." Comrade Le Duc Tho tactfully refused, arguing that Uncle Ho could only travel by air through Phnom Penh. He advised: "You need to get a passport to visit the South, otherwise your identity might be leaked easily because of your beard." "Well, then I'll shave," said Uncle Ho. "But if you shave, how can South people recognize who are you," replied Comrade Le Duc Tho. Uncle Ho sat still, looking sadly. Shortly after, he suggested taking the border route. The ship carrying aid support for the Southern battlefield still docked at Sihanoukville port previously. He would disguise himself as a sailor or be hidden in the ship's hold... His plan was meticulous, detailed-oriented that made it difficult to refuse. However, he insisted as before, Comrade Le Duc Tho tactfully deferred due to numerous difficulties, promising that efforts will be taken, allowing people in the South to meet Uncle Ho as soon as possible. As they bid farewell, Uncle Ho hugged Comrade Le Duc Tho tightly with his tears streaming down. In mind of his students and his comrades, a consistent concern and fear of having a very little chance of his appearance upon completing the mission.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year in 1969, Uncle Ho visited the Air Defense - Air Force service, then traveled along National Road 11, wishing a "Happy new year" to the people of Bat Bat District, Son Tay province. This was his last long-distance journey. At noon, taking a break and having lunch under a banyan tree by the hillside, seeing the farmers working diligently, bent over cultivating the grass in the fields along the road, he laughed, turned to Comrade Khang, the Chief of the Military Security Directorate, and jokingly said, "Our people are truly hard-working, there are no days of even on the first day of Lunar new year." And suddenly, he asked, "Hey, is that your troops?" Comrade Khang replied with a shy "Yes." During the difficult time, the country is still on war, safety of Uncle Ho journeys was always the top priority of the High Command of Guard Police.
After that journey, Uncle's health remained normal, but doctors observed reversed heart waves during the electrocardiogram examination. The council of doctors diagnosed that Uncle Ho was experiencing initial symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD). Facing with these concerning symptoms, Chinese professors and doctors was invited for medical treatment by Political Bureau.
In May 1969, Uncle Ho made the final revisions to his famous Will. This Will was initiated in the summer of 1965, which Uncle Ho considered as a "Top-Secret Document." The term "top-secret" does not refer to the content but rather to the fact that Uncle didn't want people to inform that he was aware of doing his final work during his last days. Comrade Vu Ky, Uncle Ho's secretary, unfolded that Uncle often wrote during a specific time of the day. Once Comrade Truong Chinh called to request permission to work with Uncle Ho when he was writing the "Top Secret Document." Understanding that Uncle Ho was not available for a meeting with guests during that time. On the other hand, he was also busy at noon. Comrade Vu Ky smartly arranged a lunch for Comrade Truong Chinh with Uncle Ho, allowing them to eat and work at the same time
At that time, he was reviewing and making final revisions to the Will. These were hot summer days in Hanoi. Plenty of shade-providing trees were planted in the garden of the Presidential Palace, but the air was stiflingly hot and oppressive. Uncle Ho continued his daily routine as usual. His morning routine included exercising, watering the plants, having breakfast, and feeding the fish. Uncle Ho's steps on the stairs got slow and difficult as time passes. Nonetheless, Uncle Ho made an effort to hide his health problem, so that those who served and the leadership comrades could be worried-free.
Once, as Uncle Ho was strolling in the garden, Comrade Man, an intensive doctor responsible for Uncle's health, noticed the scorching sun, brought along a feathered fan to cool Uncle Ho down. He expressed displeasure, saying "It seems like you're treating me as a king!" Well-informed that Uncle Ho didn't like being manually fanned by others, and especially these made of precious bird feathers, Comrade Man quickly cut a palm leaf in the garden and fashioned it into a fan for Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho really liked it. It serves both as a sunshade and a cooling fan. Since then, the palm leaf fan is found everywhere in the Presidential Palace. To avoid confusion with other fans, Uncle Ho carefully marked his fan by engraving the letter B on it using a cigarette.
Also in this memorable month - May 1969, senior military officials from across the country came to visit and held a longevity wish ceremony for Uncle Ho, on his 79th birthday occasion. It was a nostalgic and touching meeting of Uncle Ho and other comrades Le Duan, Pham Van Dong, and Vo Nguyen Giap. Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap, on behalf of the Central Military Commission of the Ministry of National Defense and the entire military, wishing Uncle Ho a good health and longevity. With a strong determination of winning the US, he promised to take Uncle Ho visiting the South. Comrade Vuong Thua Vu, on behalf of the comrades, presented a large bouquet to celebrate longevity. Seated in a chair, Uncle Ho felt touched when receiving the flowers, expressing gratitude to the military personnel for their endless caring about his health. Uncle Ho said a victory had been the comrade's mission, his health improvement and happiness also thanks to that mission completed. Uncle Ho voice is warm and familiar, but it's soft, and he has to pause and rest for a while.
Every general deeply pondered, this might be the last time they had a chance to be with him on that day, listening to his warm and touching voice.
A thunderstorm occurred in the afternoon of August 12. The wind gusts fiercely through the clusters of trees in the garden. He suddenly planned to visit our delegation at Ho Tay Guest house, those who had just returned from the Paris Conference. On that day, Uncle Ho was transported directly to the Guest house, visiting the Comrades in our delegation.
Next day, Uncle Ho had symptoms of cold, and dry cough. Then he had an inflammation in the bronchial tubes, observing an increase in white blood cells compared to the previous day results. The professors and consulting doctors decided to administer antibiotics, but he did not show a sign of improvement. On August 23, penicillin injections had to be used. Uncle Ho felt pain in his chest around 9 PM. The doctors quickly suspended the injection and performed immediate cardiac defibrillation, clearly observing signs of myocardial infarction. After consultation, the doctors decided to administer an injection again.
By August 28, his heart began to show signs of arrhythmia and disturbances in the transmission of the ventricles. In those tense days, comrades from the Political Bureau visited Uncle Ho on a daily basis, updating him on the situation on the battlefields in both regions. Each piece of victorious news brightened Uncle's face entirely. Every time, Uncle Ho would say, "Today, I am feeling healthier than yesterday" But it was just his white lie, the fact is completely opposite.
On the afternoon of August 30, Uncle asked Comrade Pham Van Dong when he was visiting: "How was the National Day celebration preparation?" Listening to Comrade Pham Van Dong's report, he advised "Don't forget to set off fireworks, celebrating the victory and motivating the people spirit of warfare." But Uncle Ho is unwell, how can fireworks be set off?
On August 31, he craved a bowl of porridge. The comrades in service quickly cooked a delicious bowl of porridge for him. Everyone was delighted seeing he finished the meal. However, the Independence Day celebration at Ba Dinh Square took place in an atmosphere filled with anxiety on the faces of the comrades in the Political Bureau that evening.
Hearing that the Hanoi Missile Unit shot down an US drone on August 30, on the following day (August 31), he suggested to send a floral arrangement to the unit that had just achieved this success. This marked the last bouquet presented by Uncle to the soldiers of Missile Battalion 361.
At 9:47 AM on the second day of September, Uncle Ho's heart no longer beat. In the last minutes, the Southern compatriots and the sacred spirit of the beloved homeland Vietnam remained eternally in his great heart.
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For the Vietnam war and the efforts of building socialism, the sudden eternal rest of Uncle Ho is an immense and irreparable loss that nothing could be compensated.
On September 02, the day when Uncle read the famous Declaration of Independence, initiating the first presence of a socialist state in Southeast Asia 24 years ago, is also the day when he bids farewell to us! This is a truly questionable coincidence without an appropriate explanation. To commemorate the Independence Day in a quiet manner, the Political Bureau decided to announce Uncle Ho passing a day later, on September 03.
Perhaps in this era, after Lenin's passing, there has been no eternal rest of historical figures that has stirred the progressive humanity as much as Uncle Ho loss. As the radio broadcast the news, the world seemed to pause in intense sorrow, and a sense of emptiness enveloped the entire country.
That year, it was raining heavily during his funeral. The Ba Dinh Square seemed burdened with heartfelt sorrow. Nature also seemed to share the deepest condolences with human loss. In the streets of Hanoi capital, in the villages, along the rivers, and within the forests, people mourned Uncle Ho with simplicity yet solemnity. Tears and raindrops mingled, flowing endlessly in the boundless sorrow of each Vietnamese.
However, it was probably more painful for Southern people, especially for the soldiers on the battlefield, as everyone felt the regret of an uncompleted mission, entrusted by the Party, liberating the South, to welcome Uncle Ho to visit the South that remained forever poignant in his heart.
That year, in the Mekong Delta, people erected shrines along the banks of canals, amidst mangrove forests and vast cajuput woodlands, allowing everyone passing by to step up to worship Uncle. These simple shrines are still to be found nowadays. In the central battlefield, numerous soldiers spent two or three days climbing high mountains to gather agarwood, firing incense for his altar. The pain and sorrow were tightly held within their hearts.
Right after Uncle Ho passed away, hundreds of delegations from various Parties, States, and international organizations requested to enter Vietnam, mourning for Uncle Ho. Thousands of telegrams were sent to the Central Party Committee and the Vietnamese Government, expressing condolences with full of sorrow and respect.
Alongside the Vietnamese people, Uncle Ho principles became the life guidance and the conscience of the era.
He has left this world, turning himself into a new chapter, lasting in the hearts of every citizen, every soldier eternally. The top priority during that time was to construct the Mausoleum and to preserve his body. However, it was not an easy mission, numerous trials and hardships with extraordinary strength and intelligence had been made, welcoming the grand opening of the Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square. Unit 969 had a great honor to represent the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army, preserving Uncle Ho’s body and protecting the Mausoleum - the eternal resting place of Uncle Ho.
