A special Youth Union initiation
Early on a weekend morning, a group of students from Ngoc Thuy Secondary School (Long Bien District, Ha Noi) gathered neatly at the school gate. Wearing the blue shirts of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, they followed their teachers to two meaningful destinations.
Their first stop was the Viet Nam National Museum of History, where 42 outstanding students from the school were admitted to the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.
After visiting artefacts and documents spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era, the new members continued to the headquarters of Nhan Dan Newspaper at 71 Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District, to view the “Shining name of Uncle Ho” photo exhibition.
Among those inducted into the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union was Nguyen Huy Hoang, a nine grader, who expressed pride and emotion at the chance to see rare images of President Ho Chi Minh.
"Even when we were just learning our first letters, we were already being taught the five teachings of Uncle Ho. Through Literature and History lessons, the image of President Ho Chi Minh, a man who devoted his entire life to the country, has always been present in my heart. For me, today’s initiation is truly special," said Hoang.
With a strong passion for social sciences, Hoang spends time outside class studying History, Geography and Literature, as well as researching documents about President Ho Chi Minh.
"The exhibition feels like a compact museum about Uncle Ho, with rich and meaningful content. The selected photos clearly highlight significant milestones in his life and career. It helps us better understand his immense contributions and deepens our awareness of the responsibilities the younger generation bears for our nation," Hoang added.
Nguyen Dinh Vinh, Youth Union leader at Ngoc Thuy Secondary School, said: “As soon as we heard about the photo exhibition organised by Nhan Dan Newspaper, we immediately incorporated it into our students’ learning journey. This change stems from the school’s consistent focus on fostering patriotism and honouring the sacrifices of past generations.”
Engraving Uncle Ho’s teachings into hearts
As part of the exhibition, Nhan Dan has been distributing thousands of special editions of its weekend publication to visitors daily.
Holding a copy of the supplement titled “His words – The voice of the nation”, Nguyen Thanh Binh, a resident of Dong Da District, could not hide her emotion while rereading the guidance left behind by President Ho Chi Minh. Before retirement, Binh worked in the reading room of the National Library, where books about President Ho always attracted interest across generations.
 |
| The exhibition attracts a large number of tourists. |
"The image of President Ho Chi Minh on the cover of Nhan Dan issue No. 1890 is striking. He wears a simple brown shirt and holds Nhan Dan Newspaper, a trusted Party publication. The content of the issue highlights the October Revolution. What resonates most with me is his furrowed brow, as if he were reflecting deeply on the fate of the people and the country," she said.
Binh noted that even the colour scheme, font, and layout of the supplement are distinctive and visually engaging. "The excerpts are all reflections by President Ho on culture, society, and the noble virtues each person should cultivate," she added.
Visiting Ha Noi in mid-May, Tran Thi Huong from Nha Trang happened upon the exhibition while strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake with her husband and daughter.
Cradling her young daughter in front of a portrait of President Ho, Huong shared: “Each time I look at his images or read about his life, I’m overcome with emotion. This is also a chance for me to teach my child more about our nation’s history. I hope meaningful events like this will be held more often.”
“I found the exhibition fascinating. I had already learned about President Ho Chi Minh through historical materials. He is highly regarded and deeply respected by many foreign scholars,” said Ronen from Israel, Huong’s husband.
To Thu Trang, a second-year student at the University of Economics (Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi), each quote featured in the supplement offers valuable lessons and timeless wisdom passed down by President Ho Chi Minh to younger generations.
The exhibition “Shining name of Uncle Ho” makes full use of modern technology to deliver an immersive digital experience. Through QR codes, visitors can access a dedicated online platform titled Ho Chi Minh and the principle of putting the people first, explore a virtual museum about President Ho and young people, and enjoy musical podcasts featuring timeless songs honouring his legacy, character, and selfless dedication.
Visitors can “interact” with priceless artefacts linked to Uncle Ho’s work with young people, serving as a means to pass the torch of tradition and inspire today’s youth to follow in his footsteps and contribute to building a strong and prosperous country in the new era, as he once wished.
