II. SPECIAL UNIT WITH A SPECIAL MISSION
- 1 -
On September 02, 1967, a Skoda car of the General Railway Directorates quietly left Hanoi, carrying a team of medical personnel. Around 6 PM. The city was already lit up, a crowded group of people wearing helmets and carrying rifles were still on the streets. Mixed in the crowd were convoys of trucks towing cannons, trucks carrying covered goods, making the air smoked, resulting in traffic jams. Especially at the turnoff leading to the pontoon bridge across the Red River, in the North direction.
That was a decisive period in the Vietnam war. With our strategic offensives, the US suffered humiliating failures during two dry seasons, Johnson was in a frenzy, deployed its most elite units to the Southern battlefield and intensified attacks on the North. The AD-6, F-105, F-4 squadrons from Corat, Udorn, the Fleet 7...constantly roamed the skies, causing havoc to villages and cities in the North. The alarm sirens of the capital frequently sounded along with the voice of the radio announcer reporting that enemy aircraft were approaching Hanoi. Following that, either the sound of anti-aircraft guns echoing in the outskirts or a moment of silence, tension, until the calm voice of the radio announcer announced that U.S. planes had flown away…
In those days, besides the Central Committee and the healthcare team, only a few people were informed that Uncle Ho's health was deteriorating day by day. In the middle of 1966, after returning from a visit to the people of Thai Binh province, Uncle Ho had a slight paralysis on the left side, and he had to use a cane to move around. Thanks to the intensive care of the doctors, in cooperation with Uncle Ho's extraordinary resilience, his health gradually recovered. However, it was the first sign, indicating a health instability.
One morning, Major - Doctor Nguyen Gia Quyen, Head of the Anatomy Department at Hospital 108, Director of the Medical Department of the Military Bureau of Medicine and Surgery; Doctor Le Ngoc Man, Head of the Endocrinology Department at Bach Mai Hospital; and Doctor Le Dieu, Head of the External Diseases Department at Viet-Soviet Hospital, were summoned by Comrade Le Duc Tho to the Central Office, being assigned a mission to study in the Soviet Union. Comrade Nguyen Gia Quyen was appointed as the team leader. During the mission briefing, Comrade Le Duc Tho emphasized: "This is highly confidential, we must obey every Uncle Ho's request, and we must not hide a single piece of information from him. However, this particular task must be highly confidential to Uncle Ho. Unless he will be upset and prohibit the plan from being implemented." Comrade Le Duc Tho also added: "Any details must be disclosed about this mission even towards your family members."
As the car crossed to the northern bank of the Red River, the sky suddenly darkened. Nevertheless, bombarded areas were still clearly visible on both sides of the road. Civilians and soldiers from everywhere were bustling to prepare for the next day's battle. Caravans and trains were hurriedly heading south. However, the Skoda carrying the medical team continued to move stubbornly northward, considered the major rear area for the entire country.
Arriving at Dong Dang station, the three selected doctors boarded a connecting train to Beijing on the way to Moscow. On September 14, 1967, the delegation arrived in Moscow. They were welcomed at the Capital Moscow Station by comrade Ladunov, representing the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The delegation was accommodated at the October Hotel.
Upon just setting foot in the hotel, our delegation was promptly invited to start working, the following day, the delegation was taken to the Lenin Mausoleum Research Institute for discussions on the study program and plans. At this meeting, Comrade Debop, the institute's director, outlined the delegation's study program, which consisted of two parts: theory and practical application. The theoretical component primarily involved reading materials at the institute, while the practical aspect was led by Professor Xarovatop, who had directly participated in the embalming of Dimitrov's body and provided hands-on guidance.
On the second day, Comrade Deputy Director Romakov guided the delegation to visit Lenin's Mausoleum, followed by a series of intensive studying days. Soviet comrades allocated a dedicated workspace for the deputy director's team as the research hub, focusing on researching materials, primarily documents related to the preservation of bodies throughout history, with a special emphasis on ancient Egyptian, Soviet, and American practices.
After completing the theoretical part, the delegation was transferred to the body preservation section, managed by Professor Xarovatop. The practical research focused on the aged 60 years-old and above bodies, making the search for specimens in this age group challenging. The cold, snowy days blanketing the streets didn't stop Comrade Xarovatop from tireless searching hospitals far from the capital, even hundreds of kilometers away to find appropriate cadavers for the training delegation.
Due to time constraints, all three doctors invested their utmost endeavors into dissecting and exploring the intricacies of the subject, seizing every opportunity to learn and absorb complex scientific knowledge. They found themselves working tirelessly all day in a confined room with stifling air and difficulty breathing due to the strong smells of chemicals permeating the space for such a long time.
In day time, they spent countless hours working and studying, at night time, the delegation gathered to exchange experiences, review materials, and listen to the broadcasts from Vietnam. Each tranquil day passed as a relief, yet underlying concerns for the unknown future lingered. It's needless to admit their worries with words, the future remained uncertain for Uncle Ho's health while the delegation was still in the Soviet Union. On the last day, leaving the Soviet Union, going back to Vietnam, the team was able to breathe a sigh of relief. For the whole day, the Hanoi Radio continuously reported triumphant news. Being well-informed, they are stress-free, as Uncle Ho was still in the safe hands.
After arriving in Hanoi, the delegation immediately reported their study results to Comrade Nguyen Luong Bang, who was then the Head of the Health Protection Committee for Uncle Ho. After seven months of studying and conducting experiments on the Soviet, the medical team were confident to complete the embalming process during the initial stage, lasting from 15 to 20 days. In the next phase, the Soviet Union would be directly assisting. Therefore, the medical team did not delve into researching long-term preservation methods. The team excellently achieved its mission in both study and practical experimentation. The team pledged to Comrade Nguyen Luong Bang about continuous research, integrating modern science with the Vietnamese traditional methods.
In response to the mission requirements and Uncle Ho's health condition, the team was divided into two departments: Dr. Le Ngoc Man was honorably in charge of working in the Presidential Palace, along with Dr. Nhu The Bao, to monitor and take care of Uncle Ho's health. Comrades Nguyen Gia Quyen and Le Dieu were tasked with establishing a special medical team within the Anatomical Pathology Department of Military Hospital 108, under the control of the Central Military Commission.
On the afternoon of August 19, 1968, Dr. Le Ngoc Man visited the Presidential Palace to meet Uncle Ho when he was walking from the stilt house to the dining area. Upon the two doctors' introduction by Comrade Vu Ky, Uncle Ho expressed dissatisfaction, in his composed manner, remarking, "It's needless to have two doctors taking care of myself. Countless people, soldiers, and children are still lacking medical help." After a brief pause, Uncle Ho continued, "However the Political Bureau has decided, I respect the decision. Elderly people are often difficult patients, hope for your understanding."
From that day forward, Dr. Le Ngoc Man and Dr. Nhu The Bao were regularly present by Uncle Ho's side. By the end of 1968, Uncle Ho maintained a consistent daily routine and exercise regimen. Uncle Ho would wake up at 5:30 AM every early morning, go down to the basement to do personal hygiene. Then heading to the dining area for breakfast, working with guests, and returning to the stilt house for work. Then, having lunch at 11:30 AM. In the afternoon, Uncle Ho often engaged in physical exercises, played ball, and walked along the trail to Hoi Dong Pagoda. He paid much attention to the rows of trees on the sides of the road, always staying curious about those plants. No matter how hot the weather was, he never gave up walking, remarking to Dr. Man with a sigh, "I'm sweating just for a stroll. Imagine how hard the workers in the mines and the frontline artillerymen had to suffer... It's crucial to provide adequate drinks for them."
Keeping the eyes on the people and the soldiers' lives without much self-caring is a hallmark of Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho was 78 years old that year. It was unpredictable that Uncle Ho would get on an eternal rest just in one year, leaving behind the garden full of blossoms and fruits that he had planted since the early years in Hanoi.
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The special medical team was officially established in June 1968, with Dr. Nguyen Gia Quyen appointed as the team leader. Team members included Captain and Dr. Le Ngoc Man, First Lieutenant and Dr. Le Dieu, Second Lieutenant and Dr. Nguyen Van Chau, medico Do Trung Hat, and administrative assistant Pham Ngoc Am. To unlock the challenge of preserving the body in climatic conditions, the medical team had to immediately engage in the practical experimentation. The Central Military Commission instructed the Combat engineer headquarters to select capable officers and soldiers from the Military Hospital 108 to establish a special laboratory which would also serve as Uncle Ho's initial resting place before the completion of the Mausoleum, which was just still in the design phase.
Upon receiving the task, a group of technical officers from the Construction Department of the Combat engineer headquarters, including comrades Nguyen Trong Quyen, Bui Danh Chieu, Lam Sinh, and Tran Thanh Van, led by Comrade Nguyen Trong Quyen, swiftly returned to Hanoi from their evacuation site. They not only stabilized accommodation and meals but also conducted on-site surveys and developed preliminary design plans. However, due to the time constraints, they couldn't fully understand the purpose and intended use of the project. All they knew was that it was a special facility serving a unique mission, demanding technical expertise beyond the current capabilities and resources of the unit.
Designing and constructing a complex facility posed significant challenges, requiring the maintenance of a constant temperature of 16 degrees Celsius with fluctuations not exceeding 0.2 degrees Celsius. The humidity had to be stable at 75% under conditions with no drafts, and absolute sterility was a must. This presented a major difficulty. On the other hand, some electric and water facilities were severely damaged by the enemy, making 24/24-hour access to electricity and water for the project impossible. Central agencies were also relocated, eliminating the chances of exchanging experience, technical learning, and the search for equipment and supplies. Despite these numerous challenges, the technical officer team remained determined to prepare for construction. Following the orders of the Combat engineer headquarters, both the design and construction forces had to be implemented simultaneously to ensure on-time completion. The construction process also served as a means to refine the design. A few days later, the main construction force from Battalion 2 of the Engineer Brigade 259, commanded by Comrade Tran Si Yem, was assigned to get on duty. During this time, most departments of Military Hospital 108 had been evacuated. The atmosphere in the hospital was calm and quiet, providing favorable conditions for construction during the whole day. Due to the limited space in the construction sites, Battalion 2 had to organize several rotating shifts coordinating with the timely gathering of materials and supplies in a synchronized manner. These soldiers, with experience facing American bombs and bullets day and night on the roads, bridges, and ferries, demonstrated resilience and skillful experience, ensuring the successful completion of the tasks.
After a period of dedicated implementation, the construction was finally completed on time and successfully met the technical requirements. However, during the installation of equipment and machinery, new challenges seemingly remained unsolved. For example, when installing the air conditioning system, it was difficult to lower the temperature as required, which required the need of further research and modifications to ensure that the temperature control system met all the technical requirements for each stage of preserving Uncle Ho's body.
After resolving the issues with the temperature control system, another problem emerged in the central chamber where Uncle Ho's body would be placed. It was noticed condensation on the ceiling after the air conditioning system stopped working. This phenomenon allowed easy growth of bacteria and mold, which posed a threat to the sterile environment required for the chamber. Despite multiple attempts using quick-drying paint and water-absorbent cloths, the condensation issue persisted. Finally, a solution was found: covering the entire ceiling with wood panels and equipping it with ventilation. This effectively solved the problem. The completion of this project, known by the code name "Project 75A," took place in the final days of 1968.
When the Soviet expert delegation came for inspection, they were pleasantly surprised by the outstanding assessment of the prepared working facilities. Starting from that, the project was handed over to the special medical team for operational use. Battalion 2 of the engineering brigade only left a small unit behind for ongoing reinforcement, supplementation, and operational management. The majority of the unit transitioned to a new task: renovating and constructing the Project 75B, a facility with a similar structure and equipment to 75A. This site would be where Uncle Ho’s body would be placed during the mourning period.
Embarking on the renovation and construction of Project 75B, Battalion 2 of the engineering brigade gained some advantages. Following the cessation of bombing enemy, the offices of the Combat engineer headquarters and various civilian agencies, including those of the Party and State, gathered in Hanoi. Technical challenges and lack of materials resources were solved by Party and State agencies, with an unconditional willingness to assist. Similar to Project 75A, the construction site for 75B was cramped, making it challenging to gather materials and conduct intensive construction simultaneously. Additionally, its proximity to the road necessitated night-time operations to maintain confidentiality. All activities must be meticulously finished before dawn, allowing the hall to be used for different purposes as usual.
In those anxious days, as the crowds surged through Ba Dinh Square, historic events of the nation remained untold in the serene and solemn ambiance of Ba Dinh Hall, the soldiers of the engineering brigade were preparing for the nation's most sorrowful day in silence. They worked tirelessly, with an awareness of how vital the initial phase was, taking place within the halls of Ba Dinh. This stage would determine the entire process of preserving Uncle Ho’s body in the future.
Seeking optimal solutions, a series of experiments in technical assurance work were conducted. Similar to the central chamber of project 75A, on the surface of the metal casing, tests were conducted to run the machinery. Not only did they encounter the issue of dew formation, but water vapor also rose, condensed, and flowed into streams. Faced with this challenge, the technical officers were struggling to find out remedial plans. Finally, after many sleepless nights, they got a solution by running the air conditioning in conjunction with ventilation at a specific wind speed to eliminate dew formation and water condensation. This result formed the basis for the leadership's decision to maintain the renovation plan for constructing project 75B and to proceed with installing machinery and technical equipment similar to those in project 75A.
On a side note, in 1967, Comrade Phung The Tai was sent by the Central Committee to the Soviet Union and Bulgaria to study the national funeral ceremony. Comrade Phung The Tai carefully examined why an artillery tractor was used to transport the body instead of other types of vehicles during the burial ceremony. In the Soviet Union, the explanation was that during the war, when Marshal Kutuzov died, only an artillery tractor was available to transport the body. Meanwhile, in Bulgaria, the response was that this practice depended on the customs and traditions of each country, and no universal rule occurred. After being reported, Comrade Nguyen Luong Bang proposed using horse-drawn vehicles to avoid public attention. Immediately, Comrade Do Viet Khang, Director of the Security Bureau, was dispatched to Mongolia to purchase horses. However, during the rehearsal, it was not practical to use horses, so the Central Committee decided to use the artillery tractor during national funeral ceremonies, learning from the practice of the Soviet Union and other European countries.
Having completed two special projects in a short period represented wholehearted dedication of the soldiers of the Engineer Brigade 259 to Uncle Ho. Having no satisfactions with their outstanding achievements, only a sense of emptiness in their hearts appeared. They hoped that the projects would never be used, all things for the good health of Uncle Ho, wishing for the longevity of Uncle Ho, everlasting with the country.
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While the engineering soldiers embarked on the renovation phase of building Project 75B. At Project 75A, the special medical team also began preparing medical equipment. An urgent task was to commission the production of a specialized granite table for preserving the body. This was a unique table which had been well-measured upon the medical team’s return to Vietnam. Upon receiving the design, the workers at the An Duong Stone Factory successfully crafted a beautiful table, duplicating the one in the dissection room of Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow.
Upon the return of the special medical team, the Soviet provided us with three sets of surgical garments and some specialized tools. These tools were initially crucial for researching further the preservation of the body at the Assembly Hall and body's transportation. Comrade Vuong Quoc My conducted a preliminary study on the construction of the Mausoleum. All tasks were carried out urgently, and the Soviet assisted with easy conditions, facilitating the successful task.
It is worth mentioning that, beneath the usual tranquility of the capital, there is rising anxiety and tension among the party leaders and the departments entrusted with the task of preparing for the upcoming mournful days, which was just around the corner.
This includes the efforts of the engineering soldiers renovating Project 75B and the rapid completion of the special glass case to replace the old one made by the Ministry of Architecture, which has undergone many experiments…
Soldiers of Team 2 of the Mobile Unit were in charge of making the glass case, they encountered a seemingly illogical difficulty: making a glass case without having the appropriate glass. The glass for the case needed to be thick, transparent, and no waves on the surface. Comrade Tran Ba Dang, the Deputy Commander of the Engineer Corps, who was frequently present at Projects 75A and 75B, reported the issue. There was a suggestion to use glass from the display counter at the General Grocery Store. However, upon inspection, it was found that this type of glass was too thin which did not meet the technical requirements. In the meantime, the team discovered some glass panels under the stage of Ba Dinh Square that were eligible to use. Comrade Tran Ba Dang had them tested, and the results were surprisingly good: the glass met the standards for use.
Once the glass case was completed, another issue arose: where to place Uncle Ho's sandals? Storing them inside the glass case wasn't a good idea, and leaving them outside was even less acceptable. The decision was made to create an own small glass case specifically for the sandals. The soldiers from Workshop 49 of the Ministry of National Defense worked overnight to complete this small glass case.
Meanwhile, Regiment 144 was appointed to select 150 officers and soldiers for training in the protocols of a large funeral ceremony, led by Comrade Vu Ngach as the Regimental Commander.
As the city lights up, the soldiers of Regiment 144 quietly leave their units, divided into two groups gathering at Ba Dinh Square and the Military Club on a daily basis. They practice standing in honor guards, practice approaching the target's protection, carry the bier, present wreaths, ensuring a smooth, error-free national funeral ceremony.
One of the exercises that requires constant training is the bier-carrying movement. The bier is made of Ngoc Am wood, a rare and precious wood with a fragrant yellow color, weighing nearly 200 kg. Inside, there are two bags of rice. On the top of the bier is a bowl filled with water. Sixteen officers and soldiers must carry the bier according to orders, going up and down the three-level steps smoothly, ensuring the water in the bowl does not spill over.
In addition, Regiment 144 is also tasked with selecting a number of officers and soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Nguyen Van Moc, protecting the 75A area and implementing the training plan for the march from the Presidential Palace to 75A and vice versa.
The lineup of vehicles participating in the training includes five cars, containing two limousines (one official, one backup) and three escorting cars driven by soldiers Nguyen Van Hop, Nguyen Van Nhit, and Nguyen Van Thinh.
During the training, some officers and soldiers of Regiment 144 disguise themselves, wear traffic police uniforms, and hide at checkpoints along the roads the convoy will pass through. Every possible worst-case scenario has been anticipated for handling.
Even though it was just a rehearsal, a solemn atmosphere has enveloped the faces of each soldier. During the training sessions, even during breaks, very little or zero laughs or conversations could be found. Everyone moves quietly, standing, with sweat drenching their shirts. Despite not publishing his detailed status, everyone understood that Uncle Ho was seriously ill, and the work they are doing is to prepare for the inevitable upcoming day.
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That unexpected day finally was about to come. It was the morning of September 2, 1969, the day when the greatest figure bid farewell to us. A man made his life into legend and myth, a man of and for the people.
On that morning, in a modest underground house close to his stilt house, Uncle Ho lay peacefully on his simple wooden bed. Doctors, specialists, and comrades from the Political Bureau were surrounded by Uncle Ho. Every face in the room was filled with deep sorrow, and when Comrade Vu Ky, sitting at the head of Uncle’s bed, stopped the fan with his tears falling, silence appeared, submerged in an overwhelming grief. His heart had already shown a sign of unbeating. Nevertheless, the doctors tried their best to resuscitate him, hoping - a fierce but fragile hope - for his recovery from death. However, an hour later, Comrade Pham Van Dong painfully signaled the doctors to stop artificial respiration, hoping Uncle Ho to rest in peace.
In the final days of August, witnessing Uncle’s deteriorating health, the Political Bureau urgently invited Soviet experts and entrusted the Military Command to promptly establish a committee responsible for monitoring and overseeing the preservation of Uncle Ho's body during the mourning period. This committee included departments that had been involved in preparatory work, such as medical, military, the Security Department, and the Regiment 144. The entire operation was under the direct guidance of comrades Le Quang Dao, Phung The Tai, Kinh Chi, and Vu Van Can.
On August 28, a Soviet medical delegation led by Academician and Professor Debop arrived in Hanoi. As they landed at Gia Lam Airport, observing the bright autumn sunlight and the scorched patches of grass along the runway, the specialist comrades were concerned. The high temperatures in Hanoi during this season, making them doubt the feasibility of preserving Uncle's body.
During these days, the atmosphere of funeral preparations at Ba Dinh Square was intense. The glass coffin for Uncle's body and the air conditioning system were carefully examined and evaluated. The lighting system, air conditioning, and humidity control were key factors that the engineers and officers of the Combat engineer headquarters worked diligently on. Maintaining stable temperature and humidity within the glass coffin in the tropical climate posed a significant challenge which required tremendous efforts from the engineers and officers of the Combat engineer headquarters.
Over two days, on August 31 and September 01, following the Steering Committee's announcement of the experimental results and machinery operations, the Soviet expert delegation meticulously examined each experiment. At both 75A and 75B, the delegation expressed satisfaction, and the results passed initial requirements.
At 11:00 AM on September 02, a special convoy commanded by Comrade Kinh Chi received orders to depart from construction site 75A. Upon reaching the entrance of the Presidential Palace, the convoy was instructed to halt. Only the red cross vehicle with license plate FH 1468 from Military Hospital 108, driven by soldier Nguyen Van Hop, received orders to pass through the gate. As the vehicle arrived in front of Uncle's stilt house, Comrade Tran Quoc Hoan emerged from the basement house to receive them. He earnestly advised, "The incident was past; comrades, please be calm and well-perform your duties." Comrade Nguyen Gia Quyen, deeply moved, pledged on behalf of his comrades, "We will turn the pain into responsibility."
Inside the bunker, comrades from the Political Bureau stood silently around Uncle’s room, where a large bouquet of lilies adorned the bedside. Medical personnel were shocked upon seeing Uncle Ho in a thin and pale appearance. Tears flowed as people approached Uncle's bedside. Comrade Pham Van Dong spoke while signaling, "Alright, step back and let the medical team perform their duties."
It seemed that up until that moment, the people in the underground house remained bewildered, seeming no one could face the fact that had still not been believed.
The path along Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Nhat Duat, Tran Quang Khai, and Le Thanh Tong, Uncle was escorted in tranquility and serenity. The guards of Regiment 144 ensured the safe return of an Uncle's convoy to 75A.
Comrades Nguyen Luong Bang, Le Quang Dao, Phung The Tai, and several experts were waiting at Military Hospital 108 for his arrival. As the vehicle stopped, everyone joined their hands to escort Uncle Ho into the special chamber. After nearly two years of preparation, today's task had come true for the special medical team. People took off their hats, standing silently around Uncle's casket.
Thirty minutes later, the examination report was complete. Two Soviet professors and academicians, Yuri Mikhailovich I-urii and Nikolai Ilich Mikhailov, directly attended to Uncle's medical procedures, with assistance from two Vietnamese doctors.
After two hours of work, the experts, along with the special medical team, successfully completed the first phase of the medical procedures and implemented measures for the initial preservation of Uncle's body. To keep his daily shape, the experts and medical team meticulously paid attention to each strand of hair, each strand of beard, and each cell on his face and hands. It necessitated the need for detail orientation, utmost precision and skill around the eyes and mouth. Each needle, each medication injection must be well-prepared before execution to achieve the highest possible result. This task not only prepared for the mourning days but also directly related to the preservation of Uncle's body. In the specially crafted glass casket made by soldiers, he lay peacefully as taking a break after a day of intense work, returning from a long trip. The familiar khaki clothing seemed to ripple along with the rhythmic breath. Uncle lay there, yet his spirit flew away from the hospital room, being with the people in every alley, village, and alongside the soldiers in every battlefield.
The meeting with experts pointed out that only a few ones were allowed to approach his body. Therefore, Comrade Nguyen Gia Quyen had to acquire some staff from the Department of Pathological Anatomy at Military Hospital 108, establishing a mobile medical team to support the body preservation team under the supervision of Dr. Le Dieu. This team had to regularly handle transportation, maintain hygiene in the glass casket at Ba Dinh Square, and monitor the environmental conditions which might affect temperature and humidity within the glass casket.
The environmental treatment process at Ba Dinh Square was also carried out diligently by the team, using strong disinfectants and ultraviolet lights. Due to the shortage of protective gear, after three days, many team members had swollen eyes, yet no one needed a rest. Everyone diligently tackled the tasks, and there was a sense of urgency, how time flew!
At 6 AM on September 04, 1969, on the of the Voice of Vietnam Radio, a special announcement from the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnamese Workers' Party, the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, informing the news to the people and soldiers throughout the country: President Ho Chi Minh had passed away. The emotionally charged voice of the broadcaster resonated in a somber and mournful atmosphere. On the streets, in houses of Hanoi, all activities came to a halt. People were shocked and dumbfounded around radios. The President's loss struck like a fierce lightning, disrupting all activities of the nation. Those who had met President Ho Chi Minh recalled their memories with him, while those who hadn't felt pain and regret, knowing the happiness they yearned for would never come to them again.
Throughout those days of mourning, the entire country was sleepless. Organizations, associations, military units quietly hung mourning flags, prepared mourning bands, and set up altars across the country. The Soviet information expert, the head of the Soviet expert delegation Debop, unable to suppress his emotions, returned to embrace Comrade Tran Ba Dang and Comrade Nguyen Gia Quyen, repeating the phrase "хороший !" (Very very good!) for several times.
At 6 AM, all the comrades in the Political Bureau, the senior leaders of the Party and the State, surrounded President Uncle Ho's bier. It was found red and teary in the eyes of participants, surrounded with bunches of colorful flowers, and the thick scent of incense, which was a serious pain of the entire nation to the profound loss.
In the midst of that solemn atmosphere, suddenly, a loud, uncontrollable cry echoed throughout the Assembly Hall. Prime Minister Pham Van Dong could not hold back his feelings from the other Comrades. While still crying, he shaked hands in gratitude to the Soviet comrades. Sincere thanks and tears continuously rolled down the face of Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, causing the Soviet comrades also could not repress themselves from crying.
Comrade Le Duan tried to stay calm, turning to shake hands with everyone. He softly asked, "Does anyone have any requests?" On behalf of all the officers, soldiers, and comrades, Comrade Tran Ba Dang requested, in the midst of the deep emotion, he and his colleagues would love to take photos next to President Ho Chi Minh's bier. This simple yet sacred wish was a priceless reward for the dedicated efforts of the soldiers, security forces, and the special medical team. It was also the first image of military personnel standing around the body of the beloved leader.
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An endless stream of people slowly moved step by step on Ba Dinh Square. In those days of mourning, Hanoi was drenched in pouring rain. The crowd silently poured into the Assembly Hall, their eyes downcast. It was raining like cats and dogs on the stream of visitors. Tears blending with raindrops, countless visitors had to support each other when stumbling down the three-step staircase. Among them were workers, farmers, soldiers, heads of state, generals, from all corners of the country and across the globe, converging on Hanoi to visit Uncle Ho. Ba Dinh Hall was adorned with large wreaths and fresh fruits from international friends and various ethnic groups, offered to honor his soul. On the stage of the Assembly Hall, Uncle Ho lay in a transparent glass case, his complexion rosy as if he was peacefully sleeping, after a day of work, wearing his yellow khaki uniform as usual. His simple rubber sandals were put outside the glass case.
Having a chance to visit Uncle Ho’s body, leaders, veteran officials, children, citizens, soldiers, and senior commanders, none could hold back their tears. The pain of losing Uncle Ho seemed as deeply tragic to everyone. Although Uncle Ho lay there, the warm voice, gentle gestures, simplicity, and yet persuasive charm when meeting the people, soldiers, and international friends were no longer with us. Once a Bulgarian doctor was unfortunately sacrificed while on a mission in Vietnam, Uncle Ho went straight to the Bulgarian Embassy, he was crying while asking: "How heartbreaking is this news to his mother?!"
Uncle Ho's loss has been a national sorrow, all Vietnamese citizens wished him a rest in peace. His boundless love is a linkage of every heart, with a noble mission: All efforts must be done, for peace, and for happiness!
Endeavors had been made, Soviet experts and the special medical team worked endlessly, ensuring his solemn mourning days were touching and error-free. After each visiting day, they hurriedly checked Uncle Ho’s body in a careful way, adjusted machinery, and conducted industrial cleaning to ensure better conditions for the following days of mourning.
The officers and soldiers of Regiment 144, along with the Capital Command, who had protected Uncle Ho and the General Staff during both wars, were regularly present, standing guard of honor beside Uncle Ho’s body.
On the afternoon of September 09, the Memorial Service for Uncle Ho was conducted with great ceremony and solemnity. After comrade Le Duan chokingly read Uncle Ho's Will and the Commemorative Address from the Central Committee, the entire square could not stop themselves from tears. Children clung to the shoulders of comrades Pham Van Dong and Vo Nguyen Giap, crying bitterly, appearing as a garden of flowers in a great storm. The entire nation raised their arms, pledging with the Central Committee to fulfill the mission entrusted by Uncle Ho, promising to overcome the challenging path that he had outlined and led for the entire country, the entire people, and our entire army to the final victory
Once the memorial service had come to an end, the special medical team, along with the funeral service units, completed the preparations to bring Uncle Ho back to 75A. The marching plan has been meticulously disseminated to all units, and everyone is quietly getting ready for the task.
The solemn moments passed slowly. A short journey seemed endless to everyone. Comrade Tran Quoc Hoan keeps reminding everyone, staying careful and ensuring absolute safety of the preserving Uncle Ho's body place.
At 9:00 PM, the red hearse slowly departed from Ba Dinh Square. The sky had turned dark, and the rain hadn't completely stopped, but around the square, people were densely gathered. A feeling of nostalgia and not thinking about going home was found in each individual. The heartfelt words of Uncle Ho in his Will regarding the people and the Party still left in their minds forever.
On the streets, there is still an influx of various vehicles and pedestrians. The red hearse has to maneuver carefully to make its way back to 75A, marking a draw to close of these unprecedented mourning days in history
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The phase of preserving and maintaining Uncle Ho's body during the mourning period has come to an end. For the medical team, the next phase poses a significant challenge. The knowledge acquired from the Soviet Union is not sufficient for long-term preservation. Modern methods were not fully absorbed, the traditional methods were still not yet applied. In addition, the wartime conditions and tropical climate were indeed huge obstacles.
Ensuring the long-term preservation of Uncle Ho's body faced numerous difficulties. However, with Soviet’s direct assistance, the medical team believed all problems to preserve Uncle Ho's body completely and permanently would be solved.
After Uncle Ho is brought back to 75A, a series of tasks need to be addressed immediately by the medical team, such as environmental sanitation, dust prevention, mold prevention, and more. The most challenging aspect was how to obtain 320 liters of soft water immediately, with high quality, metal-free and bacteria-free. The medical team asked for the assistance from health centers which were equipped with artificial kidney machines, namely Viet-Duc Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital, and Military Hospital 108, but upon evaluation, the water was under the standards. Finally, the Minister of Health directly managed the task, the solutions of getting standard soft water were successfully found thanks to his efforts.
With a spirit of daring to think, daring to do, high responsibility, coupled with intelligence, creativity, analytical thinking, and keen judgment, the special medical team excellently embraced all challenges, successfully completing the mission from the Military Command: preserving Uncle Ho's body while conducting excellent research.
After nearly forty years[1], the initial efforts of the medical team are still highly garnered these days. They worked in silence, however, their success did not make noise, both digitally and physically. Only their wholehearted dedication for Uncle Ho grew stronger as time passed. Humility, simplicity, and conquests of challenges were Uncle Ho ‘s qualities that remained in themselves, allowing them to navigate through complex scientific fields full of obstacles, no matter what challenges lie ahead.
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At the end of 1969, Vietnam war entered a new phase - the phase of breaking the strategic backbone of the "Vietnamization" strategy by the U.S. After Uncle Ho's passing, the whole country rose up in a revolutionary emulation movement, and the North continued to dedicate its utmost resources to support the South people. Throughout the whole day, convoys and crowds gathered at the 20th parallel - the parallel that Johnson had declared a bombing halt in 1968 - preparing for the final push before entering the battlefield. In the South, there were major victories in the outskirts of Saigon, the Southeast region, and the Military Region 5. To tackle this situation, Nixon, on the one hand, increased aid to the South Vietnam army - the puppet army, launched certain sweeping campaigns into the rear areas, and declared his readiness to bombard the North again...
Anticipating that war might potentially expand nationwide, the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission expressed their worries of Uncle Ho's body. During wartime, the 75A structure would not be strong enough to withstand the destructive power of U.S. bombs. Hanoi, again, would be a key target for the enemy, and a supply of electricity and water to the structure would be severely limited…
Based on the assessment, the Central Committee decided to task the Central Military Commission with seeking a tranquil and secretive location far from Hanoi, yet convenient for transporting Uncle Ho's body in the event of widespread war.
After careful consideration and thorough examination, the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission decided to choose K9 as the place to preserve Uncle Ho's body. It was a peaceful hillside located along the bank of a river, which in the past was a ferocious yet picturesque waterway. During the rainy season, the river roared loudly, and its waters overflowed expansively, embracing the hills with rocky outcrops as sharp as large spearheads. In this region of natural beauty, one of the most enchanting legends about the power of humans conquering nature was born - the legend of the Mountain god vs the Lord of the water. Before the August Revolution, recognizing the favorable climate for growing pine trees in this area, the French colonialists established pine plantations and mined ores here. Today, pine trees still thrive in the forested area, interspersed with tall hardwood trees like Parashorea chinensis, melaleuca tree, and cinnamomum camphora…
In May 1957, during a visit to the Division 308 conducting exercises by the river, Uncle Ho took a rest and had lunch on a hilltop. Impressed by the cool climate, challenging terrain, and wonderful scenery, he chose this location as the Central Committee's shelter in case of an expanded war threat to the North.
After Uncle Ho's visit, the General Department of Logistics was on duty to construct several four-level houses on that hill. By 1960, the chances of dealing with destructive war were potential, prompting the Construction Camp Bureau to continue building a floor house as a meeting and residential place for Uncle and the Political Bureau when needed. Along with the floor house, the engineering troops also established a fortified communications system named K9. Notably, both the tunnels and the house were personally surveyed and directed by Uncle Ho. In the subsequent years, this area often served as a working and resting place for Uncle Ho and other fellow comrades from the Political Bureau. Uncle Ho also brought international guests for visits occasionally. The wonderful natural landscape was definitely linked with his soul of emotional poetry.
On September 10, 1969, a delegation of officers and soldiers from the Combat engineer headquarters and the Regiment 144 arrived at K9 to inspect, design, and renovate the entire facility, taking over from the armed police force and the Central Office.
Initially, the leadership at K9 intended to use the existing greenhouse to install equipment for preserving Uncle's body directly on the ground. However, later on, the Central Military Commission decided to overhaul the tunnels system, safely bringing him down in case of an expanding war to this serene and picturesque hill.
Despite the enormous workload and limited construction space, the construction units received orders to complete the project and put it into operation by early December, with the design and construction time totaling less than three weeks. The capabilities and resources of the units were actually struggling, being potentially not agile enough to meet the deadlines.
However, recognizing the critical significance of the project, the units directly involved in construction were determined to complete the task within the specified guidelines and timeframe, finishing the buildings at all cost. A project command team was established, including comrades Nguyen Trong Quyen, Nguyen Trung Thanh, Cao Dam, Lam Sinh, Bui Danh Chieu, Hoang Quang Ba, Pham Hoang Van, representing various technical fields, under the direct guidance of comrade Tran Ba Dang - Deputy Commander of the Combat Arms. The main construction force was still the Battalion 2 of the Engineer Brigade 259, a unit that had excellently executed the construction of Projects 75A and 75B.
On September 20, the forces involved in the renovation of K9 fully gathered. Simultaneously, the team was both designing and constructing the project. Despite having experience, the most challenging aspect of the project was the architectural design. Previously, the Ministry of Architecture had instructed the construction of two greenhouses with steel frames above and below the two tunnels. To meet the requirements for placing medical equipment and tools, the project command decided to build an additional greenhouse at the third entrance. The second difficulty was the selection of materials and architectural components. Everything from glazed tiles to wooden panels for doors must be sourced from various locations. Once the materials were found, transportation became a concern. All transportation activities were organized at night, following security protocols, with accompanying officers on the vehicles, promptly detecting any suspicious vehicles at the right time.
Unlike the construction of the 75A and 75B projects, there was no electricity or water supply at K9. The soldiers of the Battalion 2 of the Combat Engineers had to stay laser-focused on their efforts, ensuring the tight deadlines were met. During the nights, the hillside was illuminated with various lights - ground lights, oil lamps, and more. The soldiers often referred to the construction nights as "light festivals," featuring eating lights, working lights, lights on the hill, lights under the tunnels, digging lights, drilling lights, and so on. The working atmosphere was intense and vibrant, no matter how challenging the living conditions of the soldiers were, and how lacking of basic comforts they had to face.
The most arduous and challenging task was renovating the old underground tunnel, and adding a branch for air conditioning and medical equipment. Carrying out the construction necessitated the need to dig a 5m wide and 6m deep pit down to the roof of the underground tunnel, then manually drill to break through the concrete-reinforced roof without using explosives. They had to drill one hole every 5cm², totaling 1,800 drill points, working day and night to break through the reinforced concrete roof to bring materials down for construction according to the new design.
After completing the tunnel, the installation of equipment also took place under tension and creativity. To install a 3,000kg iron door at a depth of 6m without a crane, the engineers came up with the idea of using a manually operated winch. With only five soldiers, they managed to lower the massive door into the correct position. The design and installation of the rail system inside the tunnel followed a similar process. According to professional requirements, special attention had to be given to the ascent and descent routes. The challenge was to transport Uncle Ho’s body up and down the underground tunnel without tilting or vibrating. The task was too tricky, and the project command assigned two mechanical engineers, Dang Thanh Trung and Vu Quy Khoi, to research and design. After countless sleepless nights working on the drawings, the two engineers completed the design for the rail system to replace the traditional method of carrying the coffin either from the top or bottom. Once the design was approved, Workshop 49 of the Combat Engineers Command was tasked with construction and installation within a short period. The results were highly satisfactory: the coffin was placed on a stand with wheels running on two curved rails, ensuring that even at a 60-degree slope, the coffin maintained perfect balance, ensuring the absolute safety of Uncle Ho’s body.
Due to its elevation of 250 meters above sea level, the K9 hill, despite being located right by the river, faced significant challenges regarding water and electricity when putting the facility into operation. To ensure the daily operation of the facility, it necessitated the need for hundreds of cubic meters of water, not even mentioning water usage for daily activities. After numerous sleepless nights, technical officers suggested using water from the river, but the river's water supply fluctuated with each season which tended to cause certain problems. After much consideration, a solution was found by engineer Hoang Quang Ba, using the existing well water through a circulating cycle. The plan was approved and implemented. According to the design, water from the well was pumped up to a reservoir at a height of 65 meters, then directed to air-conditioning machines. Instead of being discharged conventionally, the water flowed into another reservoir with four compartments, following the principle of parallel flow to lower the temperature from 35°C to 27°C. Subsequently, the water from this reservoir was pumped up to another tank at a height of 65 meters and then continuously directed to the machines. The pumping system was also automatically installed using a "guerrilla warfare" approach, using a floating float method to interrupt the electrical circuit for the machines to operate each time the water reached or receded in the reservoir.
With the innovative installation of this circulating water system at K9, it not only provides enough water for machinery operation but also ensures water supply for residential units, saving a significant amount of materials and financial resources for the state.
Another equally crucial factor in preserving Uncle Ho’s body is the power source. Without electricity, machinery cannot function. Previously, K9 relied on a transformer station connected to the national power grid. However, due to the destructive air raids during the war by the U.S. air force, many power lines were damaged, and the transformer station suffered severe destruction. Therefore, the current power supply solution primarily relies on electricity generated by diesel generators. The electrical engineering department, led by engineer Nguyen Trung Thanh, designed and installed three generator sets, each with three diesel engines in parallel. Concurrently with the installation of the generator sets, the national power grid was promptly restored.
To ensure a continuous power supply 24/24, an automatic power switching and backup system has been designed and tested to replace human intervention. This automated system not only ensures the automatic activation of a generator when the national power source fails but also has the capability to alternate between backup generators after two consecutive unsuccessful starts.
In addition to the automatic power switching station, the technical team has also designed and installed an automatic battery charging system to maintain the batteries in a "fully charged" state.
Before moving Uncle Ho’s body to K9, Comrade Le Quang Dao, the head of the steering committee, along with Comrade Tran Ba Dang, directly conducted tests, checking for any potential issues. The results were truly surprising, as all hypothetical situations were handled promptly without a minute's delay.
In solving the power supply for the project, as well as for the electrical industry's technical officers and workers, a remote control system for air conditioning units in the central chamber was designed and installed. This was done because manual operation would not be timely, and each interaction with the machines could potentially disrupt the temperature stability in the memorial chamber.
The installation of these automated systems was a significant effort by the electrical industry's officers and workers. It demonstrates the latent capabilities of Uncle Ho’s followers. With a determination to preserve Uncle Ho’s body, everyone must find the optimal and best measures for the circumstances and conditions at the right time and right place.
On December 15, the K9 project completed its final details, surpassing the designated deadline by ten days. To maintain secrecy, K9 was changed to K84. The name K84 originated from a simple calculation: K75 + K9 = K84. Since then, the hill is no longer referred to as K9.
Perhaps in the annals of our military tradition, there is no page that describes a mission as difficult and complex yet profoundly sacred as the officers and soldiers who tirelessly preserve and protect Uncle Ho’s body. It is a special unit with a special mission, and therefore, their achievements are also exceptionally unique, and unprecedented in history.
After completing the K84 project, 20 officers and soldiers from the Battalion 2 of the Engineer Brigade 259 were selected to stay and manage the operation of the facility, which seemingly considered as a great honor and a significant reward. A few days later, as the Battalion 2 and other associated forces withdrew, those who remained eagerly prepared, getting every pathway, every tree, flower bed ready for welcoming Uncle Ho.
