Ho Chi Minh Museum Binh Thuan: A Destination of the Heart

A Must-Visit Destination for Travelers

During the holiday, groups of visitors and families from Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Khanh Hoa, Dong Nai, Ca Mau and other localities, along with many local residents, flock to the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Duc Thanh Relic Site.

Under the shade of trees near the Ca Ty River, visitors slowly view historical photographs and artifacts or listen attentively to stories about Uncle Ho. Some are first-time visitors, while others have visited the site many times before. Each comes with a different story, but all share a sense of respect, pride and gratitude toward President Ho Chi Minh and earlier generations.

For many, the visit is not only an opportunity to learn more about history and reflect on the past, but also a reminder to live more responsibly, work and study harder, and contribute to building and safeguarding their homeland.

Gazing thoughtfully at the exhibits and photographs, Trieu Thi Tham, a visitor from Khanh Hoa, said the visit evoked deep emotions as she reflected on Uncle Ho and earlier generations. For her, the visit was also an opportunity to strengthen her sense of national pride, find renewed motivation and strive for a better life.

Sharing a similar sentiment, Nguyen Thanh Nhan from Can Tho said that although he had visited the museum several times, this visit was especially meaningful because he had brought his children with him. He hoped the experience would help them gain a more vivid understanding of a chapter in the nation’s history associated with Uncle Ho, appreciate the value of the peaceful life they enjoy today and develop a stronger sense of responsibility to their country.

Preserving the Footsteps of the Leader

Duc Thanh School was established in 1907 on the grounds of the Nguyen family ancestral hall in Thanh Duc Village, now No. 39 Trung Nhi Street in Phan Thiet Ward, Lam Dong Province, beside the Ca Ty River.

In 1910, during his journey to seek a way for national salvation, teacher Nguyen Tat Thanh, who later became President Ho Chi Minh, stopped in Phan Thiet and taught at Duc Thanh School. He taught Quoc Ngu, the Vietnamese national script, and classical Chinese. Beyond classroom lessons, he inspired his students with a deep love for their homeland, country and compatriots.

In February 1911, Nguyen Tat Thanh left Duc Thanh School for Saigon. On June 5 that year, he departed from Nha Rong Wharf aboard a ship, beginning his historic journey abroad in search of a path to national liberation.

After decades of change, the school was restored and renovated between 1978 and 1980 to closely resemble its appearance during the time Nguyen Tat Thanh taught there.

More than 115 years after Nguyen Tat Thanh left Duc Thanh School, many artifacts associated with his stay there are still carefully preserved. Inside the modest tile-roofed classroom, the wooden walls, desks and chairs he once used, the traditional long bench (truong ky), the scholar's desk (an thu) and the House of Fish (Nha Ngu), where he lived and worked, offer visitors a vivid glimpse into his life in Phan Thiet.

According to the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Binh Thuan, the Duc Thanh Relic Site welcomes a steady flow of domestic and international visitors each year, along with student groups and delegations from agencies and organizations. Many come to offer incense and report their achievements to Uncle Ho, especially on major national holidays.

Ruzh Ingamells, a visitor from the United Kingdom, said that after arriving in Vietnam, she was struck by the deep pride Vietnamese people have in President Ho Chi Minh. She noted that he not only helped lead the nation toward independence and freedom but also inspired people around the world. "Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Museum helped me learn much more about his life and extraordinary journey. I was especially interested to learn that before embarking on his revolutionary journey, he taught at Duc Thanh School, sharing knowledge with his students and inspiring in them a love for their country. I am truly impressed by how well every artifact has been preserved", she said.

During this year’s National Day holiday on September 2, visitors also had the opportunity to explore a special thematic photo exhibition titled "President Ho Chi Minh on the Journey to Realizing the Aspiration for National Independence and Freedom." Featuring nearly 100 photographs and documents, the exhibition highlights the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh during the August Revolution of 1945, as well as major historical milestones from the Dien Bien Phu Victory in 1954 to the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975.

Alongside historical records, the exhibition features portraits of President Ho Chi Minh, candid images from his daily life and photographs reflecting his simple lifestyle. Archival and artistic photographs of scenic landscapes, historical relics, cultural festivals and the country’s people and places add to the exhibition’s vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

The exhibition is scheduled to run through September 5.