HÀ NỘI — To celebrate the 13th National Party Congress (from January 25 to February 2, 2021) and 91 years of the establishment of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (March 2 1930 - 2021), the Hỏa Lò Prison Relic Management Board is hosting an exhibition called The Solidarity Song.

The Solidarity Song was the song that Uncle Hồ let everyone sing before he left meetings. It dated back to 1943 and was originally taken from China’s Solidarity is Power song and translated into Vietnamese.

The image of President Hồ Chí Minh conducting The Solidarity Song is displayed at the site. VNS Photo Vân Anh

The exhibition is divided into two main sections, one called 'The imprint in the countryside' and 'Under our proud Party’s flag'. The former shows profiles of prisoners who were devoted to the mission and vision of the Party. 

Poster of a typical Vietnamese village in the coutryside, where many united comrades came from. Photo Courtesy of Hỏa Lò Prison Relic Management Board

These soldiers were resolute to believe in and follow the path of the revolution, willing to sacrifice themselves to bravely fight for Việt Nam’s independence and freedom. Despite the hardship, prisoners at Hỏa Lò and other prisons were still united, creating a tight-knit community in the most difficult conditions.

Tiles of each notable prisoner profile are presented, with visual accounts in their memoirs or quotes from interviews attesting to the monstrosity of the pre-independence period and their hardship and determination. Some moved on to highly regarded positions like Senior Lieutenant General or Party General Secretary. 

Touching stories like that of Nguyễn Tài Khoái were presented. Khoái, the son of famous writer Nguyễn Công Hoan, wanted to become a painter, but before becoming an artist, he joined the revolution.

The second part 'Under our proud Party’s flag' mainly focuses on achievements of the Communist Party of Việt Nam to help develop the country to where it is today. President Hồ Chí Minh insisted on the people’s solidarity as an important tradition to preserve. Each Party Congress marks the unity of the Government and its people, and how solidarity has helped the nation progress.

The exhibition includes documents and artefacts reminding of past Party Congresses. The exhibition is open at Hỏa Lò Prison Relic in downtown Hà Nội. VNS