Remembering Uncle Ho’s words
For many years, on President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (May 19) or during major national celebrations, Ho Thi Vun, a resident of Thuc Hamlet, Vinh O Commune, Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province, has solemnly lit incense to honour Uncle Ho, the Father of the nation.
Now 92 years old, a rare age to reach, her stories to her children and grandchildren remain filled with emotion, especially about the first time she met President Ho Chi Minh. It was in 1963, when she had the honour of being the sole representative of Vinh O Commune in a delegation from six mountainous communes of Quang Tri Province which travelled to Hanoi to attend a rally marking the 18th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam (1945–1963) and to meet Uncle Ho.
Looking at the treasured photograph of her with Uncle Ho, displayed with pride on the living room wall, she recalled with deep emotion: “It was my first time in Hanoi, going to the Presidential Palace to meet Uncle Ho. Everyone in the delegation was overjoyed and honoured.
“I will never forget the image of Uncle Ho smiling and waving as he entered the hall. He spoke to each group, asking about local production, the war effort, and people’s lives. When it was Quang Tri Province’s turn, although nervous, I volunteered to speak and told Uncle Ho about life in the Vinh Linh highlands.
“When he found out I was the youngest in the group and from the Van Kieu ethnic group, Uncle praised me and encouraged us to always be confident and proactive. That way, we could mobilise people to unite in both production and the fight.”
Engraving Uncle Ho’s words in her heart, upon returning to Vinh O, Ho Thi Vun devoted herself to rallying the Van Kieu people to defend their homeland from foreign invaders.
As a member of the local Women’s Union, she encouraged women to promote the “three responsibilities” movement, join the logistics force, and deliver supplies to soldiers in Huong Lap Commune, Huong Hoa District. As one of the families that hosted officials and teachers who came to work in the village, she understood the importance of eradicating illiteracy, as called for by Uncle Ho. Despite hardships, she and other women visited every household to persuade people to join literacy classes.
Sixty-two years have passed since that meeting with Uncle Ho, yet his words remain a guiding light. Today, Ho Thi Vun continues to pass on her passion for learning and her spirit of contribution to village development to the younger generation.
Nguyen Duc Thong, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Vinh O Commune, proudly said: “Our generation sees Ho Thi Vun as a role model in labour and production. Despite her age, she continues to lead efforts encouraging villagers to comply with the Party’s policies and the State’s laws, especially in economic development and building a new countryside.
“Recently, the Party Committee of Vinh O included her photo with Uncle Ho on the first page of the commune’s Party history book, highlighting the proud legacy of those who bear the Ho surname.”
A family line's initiative
In Thuc Hamlet, the Ho Van–Ra Boi family line is the largest among the Van Kieu people, comprising around 47 households. Ho Minh Ly, the head of the family and a respected local figure, considers Thuc Hamlet to be one big family.
What weighs most on his mind is how to help people escape poverty, unite the community, eliminate social vices and outdated customs, and encourage mutual support among households to develop economically.
From this concern, in 2021, with support from the Vinh O Commune police, Mr Ly held the first family meeting of the Ho Van–Ra Boi clan to discuss and agree on a family charter, establishing the successful model of a “crime-free family line”.
The charter not only required members to refrain from breaking the law but also aimed to preserve the traditions and customs of the Van Kieu people while promoting mutual economic support.
For the Van Kieu, family lineage plays a vital role in community life. Since signing the charter, Thuc hamlet has seen almost no instances of theft or legal violations. Notably, any disputes within the family are resolved by Ho Minh Ly himself, who visits households to mediate with care and understanding.
To date, 100% of households in the Ho Van–Ra Boi family have been recognised as “Cultural Families”.
Having previously served as Head of the Village Fatherland Front Committee, Ly deeply understands President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching that “If mass mobilisation is done well, everything will succeed.”
Thus, building on the success of the “crime-free family line” model, he became even more determined to expand such initiatives across the village — not only to maintain local security and order, but also to increase families’ responsibility in educating and guiding their children, contributing to the development of a new rural lifestyle.
Putting words into action, when the new rural development movement reached Thuc Hamlet, Mr Ly was one of the first to donate nearly 300 square metres of land for road construction. This inspired others to follow suit, donating thousands of square metres of land and countless workdays to improve the village landscape and roadways.
Thanks to the village charter, 18 households have escaped poverty with community support, life has stabilised, and 100% of school-age children now attend school. In 2021, Thuc became the first hamlet in Vinh O Commune to meet the new rural standards.
Tran Van Tang, Chairman of the Vinh O Commune People’s Committee, shared that what is most admirable about the Van Kieu people is their unwavering loyalty to the Party and to Uncle Ho. In recent years, from that sacred trust, Ho Minh Ly has helped foster unity and served as a vital bridge between the authorities and the people.
In 2021, Ly was awarded a certificate of merit by the provincial police director for outstanding achievements in the national public security movement. He was also recognised by the Vinh Linh District Party Committee as an exemplary figure in the “clever mass mobilisation” movement.
Having endured hardships and struggles, the Van Kieu people remain resilient in all circumstances. They believe in the Party, are proud to be descendants of Uncle Ho, and continue to promote the spirit of learning and living by his moral example. Today’s changes in the homeland of those who bear Uncle Ho’s surname are built upon willpower, perseverance, and faith in a brighter future.
