Where the Leader Left His Footprints

The President Ho Chi Minh Commemorative Relic Site, located in the former Chu Hoa Commune (now Hy Cuong Commune), was classified as a National Historical and Cultural Relic Site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 1999. The former Chu Hoa Commune is honored to be one of three localities in Phu Tho Province to welcome Uncle Ho to stay and work from March 19 to March 29, 1947, as he, along with the Party Central Committee and the Government, returned to the Viet Bac Resistance Base. Today, this site still preserves artifacts and documents marking the revolutionary leadership activities of President Ho Chi Minh.

The Youth Union of Hy Cuong Commune organizes traditional education activities for young cadres, Union members, and youths at the President Ho Chi Minh Commemorative Relic Site.

Turning back the pages of history exactly 80 years ago, at the end of 1946, dictated by the realities and demands of the resistance war, the key leading agencies of the Party Central Committee and the Government secretly left Hanoi Capital for Viet Bac to direct the resistance. Along the relocation route, Phu Tho had the honor of having three locations welcome Uncle Ho to stay and work: Co Tiet Commune in the former Tam Nong District, Chu Hoa Commune in the former Viet Tri City, and Yen Kien Commune in the former Doan Hung District.

During his 10 days from March 19 to March 29, 1947, Uncle Ho stayed and worked at the house of Mr. Nguyen Van Sy in Hoe Hamlet, Chu Hoa Commune. Here, he directly drafted, typed, and signed into law many critical documents. These included signing 8 Decrees related to state apparatus organization and personnel appointments while ensuring people’s freedom; sending a congratulatory telegram to the Inter-Asian Relations Conference; writing a response to French journalists in Vietnam; sending a letter to the National Guard Newspaper regarding 12 regulations for national guardsmen; and completing his famous work “New Life”.

Most notably, it was from this location that Uncle Ho sent a telegram to the compatriots of the South, marking exactly 100 days since he issued the historic "Appeal for National Resistance." To maintain absolute secrecy, Uncle Ho only worked with the key leaders of the province. However, through his service staff, he promptly encouraged good work and corrected shortcomings among local cadres and residents.

Currently, the area of Mr. Nguyen Van Sy’s house in Hoe Hamlet has been invested in and developed into the President Ho Chi Minh Commemorative Site. Within the spacious grounds, the exhibition house still preserves many of his precious mementos: a pair of bamboo bamboo beds, a wooden tray, and a wooden platform bed. These were the household belongings of Mr. Nguyen Van Sy’s family that President Ho Chi Minh used during his stay.

This location has become a sanctuary gathering the deep respect and devotion of the Party Committee, local authorities, and people of Hy Cuong Commune, as well as the general public of Phu Tho toward beloved Uncle Ho. From a historic site marking his working days, it has evolved into a “red address” for traditional education for current and future generations.

Every year, the commemorative site welcomes thousands of youth union members, children, and teenagers who come for sightseeing, incense offerings, performance reporting ceremonies, and admission ceremonies into the Youth Union and the Pioneers Organization. These activities nurture life ideals, patriotism, academic training, and the dedication aspirations of the youth, helping them strive to be good children, excellent students, and "Uncle Ho’s Good Children."

Mr. Do Ngoc Duy—Vice Chairman of the local Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Secretary of the Thanh Mieu Ward Youth Union—shared: "The Youth Unions of Viet Tri, Nong Trang, Thanh Mieu, Van Phu, and Hy Cuong recently organized a “Journey to the Red Address” at the President Ho Chi Minh Commemorative Relic Site. This activity not only aims to educate on revolutionary traditions, patriotism, and local pride, but also helps cadres and youth union members gain a deeper understanding of local history, Uncle Ho’s visit, and his teachings. This raises self-cultivation awareness, academic training, and enhances the youth’s responsibility toward their homeland and country."

May arrives bearing deep reverence, recalling the sacred milestone of the Great President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday. During these days, the President Ho Chi Minh Commemorative Relic Site stands not only as a red address for revolutionary traditional education but also as a sanctuary preserving sacred memories of the Father of the Nation. Remembering Uncle Ho and engraving his teachings, every village and unit that had the honor of welcoming him, along with the entire province, unites to emulate labor and production, striving to overcome all difficulties to build an increasingly wealthy, civilized, and modern homeland.

Thu Ha