Spreading the spirit and personality of Ho Chi Minh
On the afternoon of October 19, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Writers' Association to organize a meeting and exchange about the story of Theo Tu Giam with Professor, Dr. Writer Trinh Quang Phu.
According to Ms. Trinh Bich Ngan - President of the Ho Chi Minh City Writers' Association, this is a valuable book, telling the 30-year journey of traveling abroad to find a way to save the country of Prime Minister Nguyen Ai Quoc - Ho Chi Minh.
Prof. Dr. writer Trinh Quang Phu followed Uncle Ho's footsteps with all his passion, with his elaborate exploration through documents, memories and even the stillliings of time. With a lively and sincere pen, the writer depicted the image of President Ho Chi Minh - a simple but great man, who offered everything to the Fatherland and the people.
Ms. Bich Ngan emphasized that the biggest purpose of today's meeting is to spread the great values that the book brings, so that readers can not only feel it, but also understand more deeply about Uncle Ho's life. It is a life for the people, for the country, always radiating the warmth of love, of compassion and trust in people.
More than 28 years of tirelessly following in Uncle Ho's footsteps
Prof. Dr. Writer Trinh Quang Phu said that this is a collection of short stories that he has cherished, collected and written for more than 28 years. The author always believes that writing short stories must be honest and accurate, but at the same time, the writer must "soften" those historical materials, so that numbers, places, or relics become soulful and emotional.
Because many places he has passed through are now just traces, old houses, ferry terminals, nameless street corners... The writer's task is to reignite the breath of time, recreate his spirit, aspirations and personality in every step.
The author borrowed the form of a story to recreate characters, dialogues and combine them into a continuous story, starting from the time Uncle Ho left Saigon Riverside Wharf.
"I have also gone to most of the places he has been to. Each place and relic leaves me with special emotions, and those emotions have become material, become "the word" in the book "Following the footsteps of a person" - Writer Trinh Quang Phu shared.
To realistically depict Uncle Ho's 30-year journey, Writer Trinh Quang Phu said that he first of all had to develop a thorough outline. The " bones" of the work are historical documents - relics, figures and specific timelines.
13,000 copies printed, aiming to be translated into many languages
Also at the meeting, Colonel Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the People's Army Publishing House said that since the first edition in June 2024 to September 2025, the work has reached 13,000 printings, with 8 reissues.
For the upcoming 9th time, the publisher will release an additional 1,000 English copies. According to the authors, he also cherished translating works into Russian, French, and Chinese to spread the value of the book more widely.
Colonel Nguyen Manh Cuong commented that the autobiography "Following the footsteps of a Man" is a work of great value in propaganda and education on the tradition of patriotism and gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, especially to the young generation of Vietnam.
