A passion for half a century
Next to the poetic Gianh River, the small house of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Phong (Tan An village, Quang Thanh commune, Quang Trach district, Quang Binh province) is a place that preserves more than 3,000 valuable documents about President Ho Chi Minh. It is not only a memory, but also a lifelong passion for Mr. Phong to remember and spread the ideological and moral values of Uncle Ho to the community.
The first floor of the house is a common living space, while the second floor has become a unique "musical". Mr. Phong collects photos, articles, and documents about Uncle Ho through the years: from his childhood, the journey to find a way to save the country, to his years of national leadership. Interspersed with documents about General Vo Nguyen Giap, heroic Vietnamese mothers and outstanding heroic martyrs.
Mr. Phong was an agricultural worker and was honored to drive the first tractor that Uncle Ho gave to Dai Phong Cooperative. In 1969, a bomb explosion caused him to lose hearing. That same year, when he heard the news of Uncle Ho's passing, he was silent in grief, and started the idea of collecting documents to commemorate him.
Collecting is not easy. "Sometimes I have to buy a thick book just because of a precious photo of Uncle Ho," said Mr. Phong.
Mr. Phong's journey to collect documents about Uncle Ho also encountered many difficulties. He quit without the ability to work, and when he was old, he did not have a pension, and the limited economy sometimes made it difficult for him to buy books, photos, and plastic for storage.
Every year when there is a flood, he prioritizes moving the collection to a higher place before taking care of other belongings.
Mr. Phong's perseverance has inspired many people, including Mr. Nguyen Hong Sam - a neighbor and long-time close friend. Mr. Sam often helps Mr. Phong find documents, contribute money when he is in need, and introduce photo exhibition places for students to visit.
"I respect Mr. Phong at work because of passion, not for profit. Each photo is a story, a precious memory of the nation's history," Mr. Sam shared.
Spreading the love of history
In May - the occasion of the 135th anniversary of Uncle Ho's birth - the small house on the banks of the Gianh River is bustling with people coming and going. Mr. Phong carefully applies photos, edits each line of notes, and arranges documents in each historical framework clearly and easily understood.
Youth union members, students and visitors come here not only to see photos but also to listen to life stories and emotional stories from a living witness.
Ms. Tran Thi Van - a union member of Quang Thanh commune said that this is an invaluable treasure trove of documents for the younger generation: "We don't need to go far, just by going to Mr. Phong's house, we can learn the history and thoughts of Uncle Ho in a realistic and vivid way".
This valuable collection has been displayed mobile at many major events of communes, schools, and cultural houses. For Mr. Phong, the most important thing is to spread the love of Uncle Ho to everyone, especially the young. "You have lived for the people, for the country. I keep these photos so that everyone can understand, love and learn from his example," Mr. Phong said emotionally.
After more than 55 years of collecting, protecting, sharing and inspiring, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Phong has not only created a huge collection of works about Uncle Ho, but also written a simple, sincere journey of gratitude - of a Quang Binh resident who devoted his whole life to the sacred memory of the great leader of the nation.
