Visitors' queue in front of President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

At 6 o’clock on September 2, 2017, a crowd of people queue up waiting to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum while the national anthem echoes in Ba Dinh Square. A group of young people from Thai Nguyen province in sport red shirts with yellow stars:             “September 2 is our National Day. We come here with immense pride in our nation and national leader.”

“I’m overwhelmed with national pride.”

They begin to file in to the mausoleum at 7:30 to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh. Nguyen Thi Huong is from Ha Giang province: “I am very happy and moved. People from all corners of the nation have representatives here to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh on National Day.”

At Ba Dinh Square 72 years ago, President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnam’s independence.

Since then, September 2 has been a national holiday. Tong Van Chung is a war veteran from Ninh Binh province: “I realized the significance of National Day when I grew up and joined the revolutionary mission. Only through independence and freedom could the Vietnamese enjoy a prosperous and happy life.”

By historical coincidence, on September 2, 1969, President Ho Chi Minh passed away, occasioning great sorrow for the Vietnamese people and many international friends. War veteran Nguyen Van Tan from Thanh Hoa province: “We were on duty and all of us shed tears when we heard that President Ho Chi Minh had died. The entire army unit continued to fight with great determination.”

On this occasion, Vietnamese people burn incense or visit the mausoleum to pay tribute to the late President. They all recall the enormous contribution of President Ho Chi Minh, who sacrificed his life for national independence. Do Ngoc Oanh, a student from Bac Giang province: “I am so proud of President Ho Chi Minh. He helped the nation gain peace and independence. We should study hard to become good citizens and do good deeds for our country.”