Colonel Nguyễn Văn Oanh, deputy director of the Political Department under the General Department of Politics of the Việt Nam People's Army, speaks at the opening of General Nguyễn Chí Thanh Museum. VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

By Lương Hương

A Hà Nội-based museum dedicated to General Nguyễn Chí Thanh, an outstanding politician, military advisor, and talented general of Việt Nam, has opened to visitors on a trial basis, as part of activities to mark the 56th anniversary of his death (July 6, 1967).

Gen Thanh was born Nguyễn Vịnh into a poor peasant family in Quảng Điền District in the central province of Thừa Thiên Huế. His name is associated with the Vietnamese people's struggles for national liberation in the 20th century. He was an excellent disciple of President Hồ Chí Minh.

The museum's official opening is scheduled for early 2024 on the occasion of what would be the general’s 110th birthday (January 1, 2024).

According to Brigadier General Phạm Văn Phi, director of the General Nguyễn Chí Thanh Museum, it was upgraded from Nguyễn Chí Thanh Memorial House from 2021, under the agreement of the general’s family, Hà Nội City Party Committee and People's Committee.

It aims to honour the contributions of President Hồ, previous leaders and Gen Thanh to the revolutionary cause of the nation, as well as to educate and promote historical traditions to future generations and tourists to Hà Nội.

Located at 81 Tân Nhuệ Street, Thụy Phương Ward, Bắc Từ Liêm District, the 500sq.m museum was designed based on the model of the General's house at 34 Lý Nam Đế Street, Cửa Đông Ward, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội, where his family lived from 1958 to 1986 and received President Hồ several times.

On August 6, 1964, President Hồ convened a meeting of the Politburo to discuss measures for the liberation of the South at the house.

The exhibition space includes several themes: Homeland-Revolution in Central Việt Nam, Việt Bắc, Building the Army, Building Peace in the North, Revolution in the South, July 6th, and The Hearts of Those Who Stayed Behind and Family - The Continuation Journey

The museum also displays sub-themes such as Foreign Affairs, the General as a Guerrilla, Fighting against Individualism, Culture and Arts, Physical Education and Sports, the General as a Farmer, Fighting for Peace, and others.

The museum is expected to educate Vietnamese young generations about the national revolutionary traditions. VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

"The exhibits include 670 images, documents, and artefacts, 23 bronze statues depicting notable figures and events in the Vietnamese revolution, in addition to two spaces duplicating the former office of Gen Thanh on Lý Nam Đế Street and his working area at the Central Office for the South, 100 books, 10 scientific documents and six documentary films,” the museum authority said.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to see valuable memorabilia associated with the General, such as the Mercier bicycle that he used during the resistant war against the French; the P38 pistol that he used for self-defence during his direct leadership of the Bình Trị Thiên war zone in 1947, and the desk clock that he used from 1954 to 1960.

The exhibits include many artefacts associated with General Nguyễn Chí Thanh. VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

Col Nguyễn Văn Oanh, deputy director of the Political Department under the General Department of Politics of the Việt Nam People's Army, said that Gen Thanh was an outstanding leader of the Vietnamese Party and revolution, a steadfast communist and a talented commander.

During his revolutionary career, Gen Thanh successfully completed all the tasks assigned by the Party, State, Government, and people, Oanh said, adding that Gen Thanh was a shining example for future generations to follow.

Once operational, the museum will be a "red address" to educate Việt Nam’s revolutionary traditions for officers, soldiers and people nationwide, he noted.

One of the first visitors, Police Maj Gen and writer Hữu Ước said: “The exhibits at the museum clearly demonstrate the three qualities of Gen Nguyễn Chí Thanh: Virtue - Wisdom - Courage. I was deeply moved when I came here and saw these precious artefacts.”

The museum houses 23 bronze statues depicting notable figures and events in the Vietnamese revolution. VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

Khiếu Thị Trang, a teacher at Thụy Phương Secondary School in Bắc Từ Liêm District, took 25 students to the museum on the opening day.

"Visiting the museum, seeing and hearing the stories behind the artefacts associated with Gen Nguyễn Chí Thanh, my students and I could learn more about his career as well as his great contributions to the nation. This is a precious opportunity to educate future generations about the glorious traditions and history of the nation," she said. VNS