Learn all about President Ho Chi Minh's Birthday
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Vietnam series at VietnamesePod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Vietnamese holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 7 - President Ho Chi Minh's Birthday. |
| One of the people who played the most vital roles in Vietnam’s history is Ho Chi Minh. He is revered and loved by the whole population of Vietnam, and thus, the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, in Vietnamese, Ngày sinh của Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh, is celebrated by the State and the Vietnamese people every year on May 19. |
| In this lesson, we will take a look at some of the activities held to celebrate the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, as well as some information about him. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question? |
| Do you know the more familiar name Vietnamese people use when talking about President Ho Chi Minh? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Ho Chi Minh was born as Nguyễn Sinh Cung in 1890 to a Confucian family in Làng Sen, a small village in Nghệ An province, Central Vietnam. He played a decisive role in the fights of the Vietnamese people against powers such as France and the United States. With his talented guidance, Ho Chi Minh led the Vietnamese nation to winning and seizing independence, or độc lập, freedom, or tự do, and unification, or thống nhất. |
| Each year on May 19, many activities are held across the country in memory of President Ho Chi Minh. Photo contests and documentary exhibitions about the President receive warm responses, and many people across the country visit Nam Đàn in Nghệ An to express their gratitude to the great leader. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is another place where many people come and commemorate him on this day. |
| On the occasion of the anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, Vietnamese TV channels such as VTV1, VTV3, and so on also regularly broadcast documentaries, or phim tài liệu, on the character, career, and life of Ho Chi Minh during his years of fighting for national peace. Though the footage is typically the same and has been replayed many times over the years, many Vietnamese people are still moved and feel proud when they re-watch these scenes. You will no doubt see numerous pictures, banners and famous quotes of President Ho Chi Minh hung across the streets and in large squares on this day. |
| One of the most famous of Ho Chi Minh’s quotes, and one that is usually remembered by all Vietnamese people, is "There is nothing more precious than independence and freedom!", a quote that was extracted from his call to arms against American imperialism and for defense of the country on July 17, 1966. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question! |
| Do you know the more familiar name that Vietnamese people use when talking about President Ho Chi Minh? |
| Ho Chi Minh’s more familiar name is Bác Hồ, meaning Uncle Ho, which shows the respect and love the people still have for him. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn something interesting? |
| Who in your country is considered a national hero? |
| Please leave a comment telling us at VietnamesePod101.com, and we’ll see you next time! |
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