Ho Chi Minh Monument Erected at Hung Temple, Phu Tho Province, Symbolizing National Unity

Hung Temple in Phu Tho Province, a sacred site symbolizing Vietnam's founding myths, holds a special place in the hearts of its people as a symbol of national unity throughout its thousands of years of history. A monument titled "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" has been erected on Bun Bun Hill within the Hung Temple historical complex. This monument carries profound historical and cultural significance, bridging the era of the Hung Kings who founded the nation with the era of President Ho Chi Minh's leadership in defending it. Throughout his life, President Ho Chi Minh held deep affection for the nation's roots. Notably, on September 19, 1954, shortly before the liberation of Hanoi, he met with soldiers at Hung Temple and instructed them: "The Hung Kings founded the nation; we must together safeguard it." These words have become a vital message, passed down through generations, emphasizing the responsibility to protect the country and fostering patriotism and a sense of national defense among Vietnamese people. During his second visit to Hung Temple in 1962, President Ho Chi Minh advised officials and the public to protect and plant more flowers and trees to make the site more solemn and beautiful, envisioning it as a park for future generations. This demonstrates his foresight in preserving cultural heritage intertwined with the nation's spiritual space. According to Dr. Chu Duc Tinh, former Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, President Ho Chi Minh's visit on September 19, 1954, and his words there have become a guiding principle for educating patriotism in Vietnamese generations, especially the youth. Therefore, the construction of the "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" monument at the Hung Temple historical complex contributes to deepening the value of this special national historical site. Major General, Dr. Pham Kim Dinh, Director of the Political Affairs Department of the Ministry of Public Security, stated that Hung Temple is a sacred symbol of national origins, and President Ho Chi Minh's teachings have imbued this symbol with the depth of the era. Preserving, researching, and disseminating these values is not only an act of historical gratitude but also a responsibility to the present and future, ensuring that the spirit of "nation-building" and "nation-defense" continues to be inherited and developed into immense spiritual strength. Dr. Vu Manh Ha, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, commented that the "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" monument represents a sacred connection from the nation's origins to modernity within the historical progression of Vietnam. Through the ideology and practical legacy left by President Ho Chi Minh, the cultural space of Hung Temple has been further enriched and deepened. It now stands not only as a memorial to the nation's origins but also as a symbol of tradition, unity, self-reliance, and a spiritual anchor for building and defending the nation in the new era. Driven by profound gratitude towards beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the Party organization, government, and people of Phu Tho Province have long wished for a work that honors President Ho Chi Minh right in the ancestral land. This project not only affirms the President's special affection for Hung Temple but also becomes a vivid symbol of the fusion of two brilliant eras in the nation's history: the Hung King era and the Ho Chi Minh era. Luong Duc Minh, Head of the Propaganda Department of the Phu Tho Provincial Party Committee, noted that from a cultural perspective, President Ho Chi Minh's teachings have elevated the status of the Hung Temple historical complex from a space of belief to a space for educating revolutionary traditions. The construction of the "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" monument at Hung Temple holds deep educational, cultural, political, and social significance, contributing to shaping future generations' understanding of the moral principle of "When drinking water, remember its source." The "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" monument, along with related components, helps complete the cultural space, creates a harmonious architectural highlight, and links the practice of ancestor worship with the cultivation of patriotism and national unity. Associate Professor, Dr. Do Van Tru, Chairman of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, affirmed that the construction of the "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" monument on Bun Bun Hill complies with the Historical Site Planning and the Law on Cultural Heritage. The project helps connect the Hung King era with the Ho Chi Minh era, and "nation-building" with "nation-defense," creating synchronization and harmony within the main festival area, while also enhancing the sanctity, solemnity, and historical connection of the site. Dr. Nguyen Thi Tinh, former Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, believes that through the image of President Ho Chi Minh and stories associated with him, commemorating the Hung Kings' contributions to nation-building, the "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" monument will help awaken, nurture, and enhance national pride, especially for every citizen visiting Hung Temple. Sharing this view, Major General Nguyen Xuan Nhang, former Director of the Vietnam Military History Museum, asserted that the "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" monument at Hung Temple is a work of significant meaning. It not only embodies the moral principle of "remembering the source" and honors the nation's great leader at the very place of origin but also reminds current and future generations to engrave and implement his teachings. Furthermore, the project contributes to creating a focal point and completing the functional zones of the Hung Temple historical complex, better meeting the needs of visitors. It also realizes the aspirations of the Party committee, government, and people of Phu Tho, as well as compatriots nationwide. From the land of the nation's origin, Phu Tho is gradually realizing its aspiration to build its ancestral land into a richer, more civilized, and compassionate homeland, while simultaneously protecting and honoring the Hung Temple historical site as a representative cultural and spiritual center of the entire country. The "President Ho Chi Minh with the Festival of the Nation" monument at Hung Temple is not just an architectural work but also a symbol of historical continuity. It creates a highlight within the historical site, ensuring that Hung Temple remains a gathering place for the Vietnamese nation, where "a hundred families unite in one embrace, a hundred paths lead to one direction," collectively preserving and spreading timeless ancestral values. Source: Nhan Dan