That is a gift from Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam, to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh on the occasion of his birthday on May 19, 2019.
According to documents from the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh was born on March 15, 20,000 in Luong Hoa commune, Giong Trom district, Ben Tre province. She is the youngest child in a farming family.
In 1936, she began participating in revolutionary activities and joined the Indochinese Communist Party in 1938. Also during this time, she married Mr. Nguyen Van Bich - Member of the Ben Tre Provincial Party Committee.
In 1939, shortly after giving birth to her son, her husband was arrested by the French, transported to Con Dao and died there. Mrs. Dinh had to suppress the pain of taking care of her young child, while continuing to carry out revolutionary activities in her hometown.
In April 1960, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh was elected Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. After a period of steadfast service, she was assigned many important positions. In 1965, she was re-elected as President of the Southern Women's Liberation Union, and at the same time held the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Liberation Army.
During this period, she made many great contributions to the overall victory of our army and people in the resistance war against the US, saving the country and liberating the South and unifying the country later.
In 1966, at the 20th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vietnam Women's Union, President Ho Chi Minh said: "The Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Army is Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh. The whole world believes that our country has such a female general. It is truly a glorious thing for the South, for our entire nation.
The scarves are a gift that the first female general of the Vietnam People's Army sent to President Ho Chi Minh on the occasion of Uncle Ho's 79th birthday. Currently, the scarf has become a valuable artifact and is solemnly displayed at the Ho Chi Minh Museum.
The towel has a length of 1.22m, a width of 46cm, woven from black and white threads perpendicular to each other, forming beautiful stripes. On the scarf with embroidery words: "Glasses for Uncle Ho - Nguyen Thi Dinh - May 19, 1969".
Rural scarves became a symbol of Southern women at that time - both simple, intimate, brave, elegant, and courageous. The scarf that accompanied the "Long-haired Army" on all fronts of resistance is also a souvenir filled with affection and love.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh's wishes were given to Uncle Ho. Receiving the gift, the person took a scarf and put it around his neck and said: "Women are always filial and affectionate like that!".
In the spring of 1975, female general Nguyen Thi Dinh, in the role of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Army, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Campaign, and 5 soldiers marched to liberate Saigon.
After the country's reunification, in 1976, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh was appointed Deputy Minister of War Invalids and Social Affairs and was the first Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh passed away on August 26, 1992. Throughout her revolutionary activities, she was awarded the Ho Chi Minh Medal, the First Class Military Exploit Order and many other noble medals by the State. In 1995, she was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.
