Incredible dedication to philately
Now 74 years old, he is widely celebrated in Viet Nam’s philatelic circles for his rare and valuable collections.
Hue owns an impressive 24 stamp collections, each curated around distinct themes. His passion extends beyond stamps depicting President Ho Chi Minh, encompassing subjects such as the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) islands, national heroes, prominent figures from Viet Nam and abroad, and the picturesque landscapes of his homeland.
Tran Huu Hue owns an impressive 24 stamp collections, each curated around distinct themes.
He meticulously arranges stamps and envelopes by theme and historical chronology. Among his prized possessions is the President Ho Chi Minh collection, comprising over 2,000 stamps and covers portraying the beloved national leader.
Hue fondly recalls his childhood fascination with stamp collecting, which began during his secondary school years. Living in a modest rural village, every new stamp brought great excitement. He wrote letters to pen pals across the country, building connections with fellow enthusiasts.
Heartfelt admiration for President Ho Chi Minh
Through stories and books, Hue developed a deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh’s life and revolutionary legacy. This inspired him to begin collecting stamps chronicling Uncle Ho’s contributions to Viet Nam’s independence.
Hue contacted friends nationwide to trade or acquire stamps related to the President. He remembers that until July 1998, the former An Giang province had no philatelic association, so he participated in the stamp club in Can Tho.
By 1998, after more than three decades of dedication, Hue had amassed a distinctive collection of over 300 unique stamps and 50 postal artefacts featuring President Ho Chi Minh.
That year, he received a bronze medal at the second National Philatelic Exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City for his exhibit titled “Ho Chi Minh – The Most Beautiful Name.” It was a proud moment for any collector.
Soon after, Hue’s reputation as a philatelist grew. When the An Giang Provincial Philatelic Association was founded in August 1998, he showcased his award-winning collection, offering the public a glimpse into the life and achievements of the great leader.
At the 2000 National Philatelic Exhibition in Ha Noi, Hue entered four themed collections and earned another bronze medal for the collection titled “Ho Chi Minh – Life and Revolutionary Career.”
Throughout his long collecting journey, Hue has acquired stamps and covers honouring President Ho Chi Minh not only from Viet Nam but also from countries such as the former Soviet Union, Cuba, India, and France.
Among his most treasured items is an exceptionally rare stamp known as the “President Ho Chi Minh Stamp from Inter-region V.” He considers it a fortunate and fated acquisition for a devoted collector.
“This stamp, nicknamed the ‘rice stamp’ due to its cost equating to 300 grams of rice, was used for official administrative correspondence,” Hue explains. It was printed and issued by the Inter-region V Post Office in Hoai Nhon district, Binh Dinh province (now Gia Lai province) during 1951–1952.
Given the wartime circumstances, the paper and print quality were modest, and the stamp was notably imperforate—further enhancing its scarcity and historical worth.
Today, few examples of this stamp exist, making it a sought-after item among domestic and international philatelists.
Hue reflects that the image of President Ho Chi Minh remains etched in his heart as a shining symbol of morality and devotion. Through stamp collecting, he has cultivated a deeper understanding and reverence for the leader’s virtues—his diligence, simplicity, patriotism, and compassion.
