A scene in the documentary series Sài Gòn - Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh: 50 năm thực hiện di chúc Bác Hồ (Sài Gòn - HCM City: 50 years of implementing Uncle Hồ’s testament) which is being broadcast on HTV9. Still photo taken from the film

HCM CITY – The HCM City Cinema Association has presented the documentary series Sài Gòn - Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh: 50 năm thực hiện di chúc Bác Hồ (Sài Gòn - HCM City: 50 years of implementing Uncle Hồ’s testament) on HCM City Television (HTV).

The film, consisting of nine episodes, is directed by seven experienced filmmakers from the association including Nguyễn Mộng Long, winner of Best Director in the documentary category at the Golden Lotus Awards in 2013, and Dương Cẩm Thúy, the association’s chairwoman.

Thúy, general director of the documentary, said: “We want to send our gratitude to people and witnesses, and our staff who supported us in 2019 and 2020 to make this meaningful documentary.”

“The film aims to mark 50 years of implementing President Hồ Chí Minh’s testament, and provide an opportunity for today generations, especially youth, to review and learn about the last words of the beloved leader, the Vietnamese hero of national liberation and the great man of culture,” Thúy said.

The documentary features a review of the testament which the President began to write in May 1965 and last amended in May 1969 – four months before he passed away. It has become a guideline for Việt Nam’s revolution and development over the past half century.

The work highlights the brave spirit and patriotism of Vietnamese people and soldiers during two resistance wars and in the process of nation-building.

The movement of studying and following President Hồ Chí Minh’s thought, morality and lifestyle is reflected as well, especially his thoughts on uniting the people, building a strong Party, leading a simple life, and fighting against corruption.

The series also highlights the development and outstanding economic, social and economic achievements of HCM City after 50 years of implementing President Hồ Chí Minh’s testament.

It includes the city’s activities of caring for war invalids and families of war martyrs and those who sacrificed their lives for national independence, and social affairs programmes for new-style rural areas.

It also honours organisations and individuals following President Hồ Chí Minh’s thought, morality and lifestyle, as well as overseas Vietnamese who have greatly contributed to the development of the city and the country.

The documentary describes HCM City as a modern and smart city, introducing its progress and results in becoming a smart city, and modern buildings and infrastructure.

Nguyễn Thành Danh, a resident in Đồng Nai Province, said: “The document gives me a clearer overview of the President’s testament and the implementation of the testament in nation-building and life, and educates the youth about our descendants' sacrifices in protecting the country’s liberation.”

The Sài Gòn - Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh: 50 năm thực hiện di chúc Bác Hồ documentary is being broadcast at 10am on Mondays and Tuesdays on HTV9. – VNS