The exhibition features nearly 400 valuable photos, documents, and artefacts, including many materials which are on public display for the first time. It vividly illustrates President Ho Chi Minh’s deep concern for the port city throughout various historical periods.
According to Nguyen Thi Nguyet Nga, Director of the Hai Phong Museum and Library, the exhibition is organised into three main sections. The first section, titled “Using our own strength to win our freedom (1888–1955)”, portrays the resilient struggle of Hai Phong’s military and civilians during the resistance war against French colonialism. The second section, “Hai Phong – A heroic and victorious city (1955–1975)”, presents the city’s determined efforts in national construction and defence during a period full of hardship yet marked by glory. The third section, “Hai Phong – Reaching new heights (1975–2025)”, reflects the city’s remarkable progress during the era of renovation and international integration, particularly its outstanding achievements in economics, society, culture, and national defence.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vu Manh Ha, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, emphasised that the exhibition aims to inspire pride among all people of the city, especially the younger generation. He expressed hope that it would provide motivation to help Hai Phong achieve its development goals in the new era while elevating its status both regionally and globally.
During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh paid special attention to Hai Phong. He highly valued its strategic location as the major port of the North and as a key industrial centre of the north and the nation.
Throughout his revolutionary career, President Ho Chi Minh visited Hai Phong on nine occasions, offering invaluable guidance that continues to serve as a compass for the port city’s development in every historical phase.
Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Director of the Hai Phong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stressed that the exhibition not only recreates the city’s proud historical journey but also affirms the tremendous achievements Hai Phong has accomplished under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the guidance of President Ho Chi Minh.
On this occasion, Hai Phong is also hosting the photo exhibitions “The life and career of President Ho Chi Minh” and “Hai Phong – 70 years of construction and development”, which showcase precious images and documents about the late president and the port city’s evolution and renewal over the past seven decades.
