Celebrating the 72nd Anniversary of Uncle Ho’s Visit to Hung Kings Temple and the Inauguration of the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival”

On the morning of September 19, at the Hung Temple Special National Historical Relic Site, the Provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Phu Tho Province coordinated with the Ministry of Public Security to solemnly organize the Ceremony Celebrating the 72nd Anniversary of Uncle Ho’s Visit to Hung Kings Temple (September 19, 1954 – September 19, 2026) and the inauguration of the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival.”

Comrade To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, attended and delivered a directive speech.

General Secretary and President To Lam delivers directive remarks at the Anniversary Ceremony.

Attending the ceremony on behalf of the Central leadership were members of the Politburo and Secretaries of the Party Central Committee: Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Head of the Central Organization Commission; Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission; Trinh Van Quyet, Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission; Le Minh Tri, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission; and Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Board.

Also attending were Politburo members: Do Van Chien, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense; and General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security.

Also present were: Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister; Nguyen Hai Ninh, Member of the Party Central Committee and Chief of the Party Central Committee Office; Dang Xuan Phong, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister, and Chairman of the Government Office.

In addition, members of the Party Central Committee; leaders of Central departments, ministries, branches, and Bac Ninh Province; leaders of Military Region 2, Corps 12, Division 308, units under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; the author team and the Art Advisory Council for the Monument design attended the event.

General Secretary and President To Lam and delegates perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival.”

General Secretary and President To Lam and delegates take a commemorative photo at the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival.”

Representing Phu Tho Province were comrades: Pham Dai Duong, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies; Tran Duy Dong, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee. Also attending were Standing Board members and former Standing Board members of the Provincial Party Committee; members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee; leaders of the Provincial People’s Council, People’s Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and Delegation of National Assembly Deputies; revolutionary veterans, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, the Liaison Committee of Division 308 Veterans, alongside a large crowd of local citizens.

General Secretary and President To Lam alongside delegates attend the Anniversary Ceremony.

Delivering the commemorative address, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Tran Duy Dong emphasized: The Ceremony Celebrating the 72nd Anniversary of Uncle Ho’s Visit to Hung Kings Temple and the inauguration of the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival” is an event of special political, historical, and cultural significance. It is an occasion to respectfully pay tribute to the Hung Kings and ancestors, commemorating and expressing profound gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, while fostering patriotism, national pride, and sense of responsibility in building and defending the Fatherland.

Central leaders alongside delegates attend the Anniversary Ceremony.

Hung Kings Temple is a sacred symbol of the nation’s origins, where generations of Vietnamese people respectfully remember and pay homage to the nation-founding merits of the Hung Kings.

Turning toward Hung Kings Temple has become a deep-seated sentiment in the Vietnamese consciousness, nurturing the moral principle “When drinking water, remember the source,” patriotism, and the strength of great national unity.

Provincial Party Secretary Pham Dai Duong delivers a response speech, absorbing the directive feedback of General Secretary and President To Lam.

72 years ago, following the victory of Dien Bien Phu, on his way back from the Viet Bac resistance base to take over the capital Hanoi, on September 19, 1954, at Gieng Temple, President Ho Chi Minh spoke to and assigned tasks to officers and soldiers of the Tien Phong Army Division, instructing: “The Hung Kings had the merit of founding the country, you and I must together defend it.”

That instruction from Hung Kings Temple became a sacred call, forging the determination and responsibility of generations of Vietnamese people in nation-building and national defense, affirming the bond between founding and defending the country throughout national history.

In 1962, during his second visit to Hung Kings Temple, President Ho Chi Minh further instructed to protect and plant more flowers and trees so that Hung Kings Temple would become increasingly solemn and beautiful, turning into a historical park for future generations.

Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Tran Duy Dong delivers the commemorative address at the Anniversary Ceremony.

With deep respect and gratitude toward President Ho Chi Minh, the Ministry of Public Security presented Phu Tho Province with the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival” at the Hung Kings Temple Special National Historical Relic Site — marking the sacred location where he visited twice and left profound teachings.

On behalf of the Party Committee, local authorities, and ethnic communities of Phu Tho Province, the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee expressed sincere gratitude to the Central Public Security Party Committee, the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security, officers and soldiers of the People’s Public Security; the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; Central departments, ministries, and branches; scientists, artists, architects, artisans, agencies, and units, alongside cadres, engineers, and workers who contributed intellect, effort, and dedication to ensure the project was completed with high quality and on schedule.

He affirmed: Receiving the Monument, Phu Tho Province clearly identifies its responsibility to manage, protect, and promote the long-term value of the work; continuing to preserve and embellish the Hung Kings Temple Special National Historical Relic Site and unique local heritages so that traditional cultural values are handed down, spread in contemporary life, and converted into endogenous strength for development.

The Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival” is cast in bronze, standing 7.5 meters tall, placed on Phan Bung Hill, facing toward the painting “The National Festival in the Ancestral Land,” creating a connection between the image of President Ho Chi Minh and the festival space at the origin of the nation.

The entire construction covers 7.6 hectares within Protection Zone II, causing no impact on Protection Zone I of the relic site; all items were synchronously invested in, ensuring they do not obstruct views toward the main temples.

The location, scale, architecture, and spatial arrangement were thoroughly researched and executed according to legal regulations on cultural heritage and approved plans, harmonizing with the landscape, historical, and cultural values of Hung Kings Temple.

Together with the Bas-relief “Uncle Ho Talking to Officers and Soldiers of the Tien Phong Army Division,” the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival” contributes to finalizing the historical and cultural space dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh at the Hung Temple Special National Historical Relic Site.

Delegates attending the Anniversary Ceremony.

Delivering directive remarks at the ceremony, General Secretary and President To Lam highlighted Uncle Ho’s instruction at Gieng Temple 72 years ago: “The Hung Kings had the merit of founding the country, you and I must together defend it.”

Uncle Ho’s words linked ancestral merits with the responsibilities of succeeding generations, placing the revolutionary cause within the historical flow of nation-building and defense.

From that instruction, every generation of Vietnamese people clearly recognizes the duty to preserve ancestral achievements and build an increasingly developed nation. Independence was traded for immense sacrifices and must be firmly defended.

The achievements of preceding generations must be continued through worthy contributions from today’s generation so that future descendants can live in peace and enjoy better development conditions.

The General Secretary and President emphasized that the inauguration of the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival” demonstrates the deep affection of the people toward Him.

In the space of national origin, the figure of Uncle Ho connects all eras, inspiring feelings of compatriotism and the strength of great unity among all Vietnamese people.

Together with the Bas-relief “Uncle Ho Talking to Officers and Soldiers of the Tien Phong Army Division,” the project helps future generations better understand Uncle Ho’s teachings and become more aware of their duties toward the country.

The General Secretary and President noted that the lasting value of the project is reflected in the awareness, affection, and actions of everyone visiting: cherishing history, loving the Fatherland more, and living responsibly toward the community.

He also acknowledged and commended the Ministry of Public Security, the Party Committee, local authorities, and ethnic communities of Phu Tho Province, alongside relevant agencies and units; expressing heartfelt gratitude to scientists, artists, architects, artisans, officers, soldiers, workers, and citizens who contributed dedication and effort to this special project.

The General Secretary and President affirmed that under the leadership of the Party, following the path chosen by President Ho Chi Minh, our people achieved national independence, unified the country, and are stepping steadily toward socialism.

Through 40 years of Renovation, the country has achieved great and historically significant results. We cherish the efforts of soldiers and citizens nationwide, the overseas Vietnamese community, and international friends. Those achievements form the foundation for the country to continue advancing.

Implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, we must strongly leverage internal strength, proactively seize opportunities, closely combine national construction with defense, and merge national strength with the power of the era to build and develop the country.

Leaders of the Party, State, and Central ministries, departments, and branches tour the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival.”

General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed: Remembering Uncle Ho’s words, we resolutely and persistently defend national independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; protect the Party, State, People, and the socialist regime; proactively defend the Fatherland early and from afar; and build a strong all-people national defense and people’s security stance rooted in the people’s heart.

The strength to protect the country is nurtured by economic capability, science and technology capacity, and national unity will.

The targets to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045 require us to take decisive action starting today.

Every step forward must be tied to improving people’s lives, protecting the environment, and preserving cultural identity. Developing the nation is a responsibility toward those who sacrificed and toward future generations.

General Secretary and President To Lam cordially inquires after a Heroic Vietnamese Mother.

He emphasized: In Uncle Ho’s instructions, the words “together” remind us of the strength of great national unity. Founding and defending the country is the cause of all Vietnamese people.

In every region of the Fatherland and across five continents, feelings of compatriotism and shared destiny must be nurtured through trust, sharing, and opportunities to contribute to the country.

The General Secretary and President stressed: Culture nurtures patriotism and national character, creating the foundation for sustainable national development.

Implementing Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW of the Politburo on Vietnamese cultural development, he requested paying close attention to human development, preserving heritage, and allowing fine values to penetrate deeply into life.

The monument inaugurated today needs to be utilized as a place for historical education, cultivating civic affection and responsibility.

He requested Phu Tho Province to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and relevant agencies to manage and protect the project scientifically over the long term; preserving the solemnity, landscape, and original values of the relic site.

Return-to-root activities must be practical, with accurate, clear, and age-appropriate introductory content. Technology should be applied so that distant compatriots and international friends can access and learn about Vietnamese history and culture.

He emphasized that Phu Tho holds the honor and responsibility of preserving the Ancestral Land, where compatriots nationwide turn. In the new development space, the province needs to cherish cultural diversity, promote solidarity, and link heritage preservation with raising people’s living standards.

Communities preserving heritage must participate in and benefit from the value-promotion process. Preserving the Ancestral Land is a common responsibility of the whole country; Central agencies need to coordinate and support Phu Tho in fulfilling this responsibility.

General Secretary and President To Lam welcomed by cadres and people of Phu Tho Province.

For the younger generation, he expressed hope that youth understand more about history and see their responsibilities clearly. They should study and train to gain knowledge, courage, and health; live honestly, kindly, and share with others; confidently master science and technology and reach out to the world. The Party, State, and society must create conditions for the young generation to develop their talents and contribute to the Fatherland.

On behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Phu Tho Province, and local citizens, Provincial Party Secretary Pham Dai Duong expressed sincere thanks and seriously absorbed all recognition, profound directives, and affection from General Secretary and President To Lam.

The Party Committee, local authorities, armed forces, and people of Phu Tho Province will swiftly concretize directive remarks into specific tasks, clearly identifying individuals, tasks, products, progress, and responsibilities; regularly checking, urging, and implementing them effectively.

An outstanding artistic performance at the Anniversary Ceremony.

Citizens of Phu Tho Province tour the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival.”

The Provincial Party Secretary thanked the guidance of the Party Central Committee and the State; the coordination of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; scientists, artists, architects, artisans, officers, soldiers, engineers, workers, and citizens who contributed effort and dedication to complete the Monument “Uncle Ho with the National Festival.”

The Provincial Party Secretary emphasized: Before the holy spirits of the Hung Kings and beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the Party Committee, local authorities, armed forces, and ethnic communities of Phu Tho Province pledge to unite as one, turning pride in ancestral roots and gratitude toward Uncle Ho into concrete actions; determined to successfully fulfill assigned tasks, building a fast and sustainably developing Phu Tho, making worthy contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Duc Anh