Bắc giang
Sen Village – May rendezvous
In the countryside of Nghe An, on the land of Kim Lien Commune, Nam Dan District, May becomes even more meaningful as the fragrant lotus scent fills the air and the respectful footsteps of people make their way here to pay tuibute to President Ho Chi Minh, the great son of the Vietnamese people.
Over a century has passed, yet the thatched roof and bamboo groves remain. His presence still lingers over this land and this country. For every Vietnamese, President Ho Chi Minh’s birthplace is more than just a location – it is a sacred place to return to, to listen to stories from his early years.
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The Kim Lien Special National Relic Site has long been a familiar destination for Vietnamese people every May. |
Sen Village in the May sunshine
From the early days of May, groups of people from across the country, overseas Vietnamese, and international guests begin their journey to Sen Village – Uncle Ho’s hometown.
Under the blazing sun of the central region, white conical hats bob along narrow village paths shaded by bamboo. Elderly people with silver hair walk with canes, eyes still bright. Groups of youth in blue shirts stride forward with enthusiasm.
Even young children, not fully grasping the meaning of the trip, hold tightly to their parents’ hands, following quietly. Though they come without appointment, all gather here with heartfelt reverence for Uncle Ho.
Among the crowd, 72-year-old Mai Thi Le from Quang Nam tightly held her grandson’s hand, eyes brimming with tears, and said: “I promised myself that as long as I’m healthy, I must return to Uncle Ho’s hometown every May.
Not only to remember him, but also to help my children and grandchildren understand how dearly our nation respects this great leader. It’s a way to educate them to strive in their studies and grow into useful members of society.”
The thatched house nestled beneath areca palms still retains its appearance from a hundred years ago – with the hammock, weaving loom, and wooden bed all intact.
Every object, every tree seems to whisper stories of hardship and boundless love from the time of his youth. Many visitors enter the space and fall silent, attentively listening to the tour guides’ explanations about each artefact.
Hoang Van Du, 77, from Binh Dinh, wiped away tears as he recalled: “I was born during a difficult time for the country. I spent nearly my whole life listening to stories about Uncle Ho. Now, to stand here where his childhood unfolded – it feels like my life is fulfilled.”
Amidst this wave of emotions, Vu Thi Huong, a visitor from Ha Noi, could not hide her feelings: “I’ve read many books about Uncle Ho, but stepping into this humble house, seeing the simple hammock and hearing his childhood stories – my heart tightened. I couldn’t hold back my tears… I silently promised myself to work harder, to contribute my small part to building a more prosperous homeland.”
Standing beneath the old bamboo trees, through the evocative narration of tour guide Nguyen Thi Thanh, the childhood of the President comes vividly to life.
Thanh shared: “I was lucky to be born and raised in Nam Dan. Since childhood, my parents often brought me to visit Uncle Ho’s house. The relics and stories about his life kindled in me the dream of becoming a tour guide to share those stories with visitors from all over the world. After graduating with a history degree from Vinh University, I passed the recruitment exam and began working here.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve remained passionate about this job and devoted to Uncle Ho. The affection of countless visitors who return here is my greatest source of motivation.”
Nguyen Bao Tuan, Director of the Kim Lien Special National Relic Site, shared: “The site preserves artefacts associated with the simple daily life of President Ho Chi Minh and his family during his youth. Every year, the site welcomes over two million visitor arrivals, with particularly high numbers during public holidays such as April 30–May 1 and the President’s birthday.
“As the President’s birthday approaches, visitor numbers are expected to surge. We will mobilise 100% of our staff to guide and welcome visitors. At the same time, we will coordinate with local authorities to manage traffic and ensure a smooth and memorable experience for all,” he added.
Sen Village blossoms in tribute to the President
May marks the peak of the lotus season. The vast lotus ponds surrounding the Kim Lien Special National Relic Site mirror the passage of time.
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Sen Village, the President’s birthplace, is changing with each passing day. |
The fragrance of lotus flowers drifts through every rooftop and every gentle breeze, embedding itself in the hearts of generations of Sen villagers in remembrance of the President’s immeasurable contributions.
This year, May holds special significance for the people of Kim Lien commune and Nghe An province, as a new statue titled “President Ho Chi Minh Returns to His Homeland” will be inaugurated.
Nguyen Quang Loc, Chairman of the Kim Lien Commune People’s Committee, noted: “The statue is a major cultural project honouring President Ho Chi Minh. The site where it stands will not only be a cultural gathering space for people of Nam Dan district and Nghe An province, but also a solemn and sacred area that inspires patriotism, national pride, and the finest virtues of the Vietnamese people following his ideology, morality and style.”
The unveiling of the “President Ho Chi Minh Returns to His Homeland” statue will be a highlight of this year’s Sen Village Festival.
Each year, on the President’s birthday, the Sen Village Festival is held with solemnity and a range of engaging activities. Since 1981, the grassroots cultural movement celebrating President Ho Chi Minh, the homeland and the Party began with the Sen Village Singing Festival.
In 2002, the festival was elevated by Nghe An province to a provincial-level event (held annually), and to a national-level event (every five years) during the President’s birthday. This year, the festival is being organised on a national scale.
The Sen Village Festival has long been a cultural wellspring in Nghe An. Originating from everyday activities, over four decades, the festival has become a cultural icon, a space of convergence where the past and present intertwine, and where cultural values are honoured through each activity and solemn ceremony.
Every year, when the lotus flowers bloom, it is not just a festive season, but a continuation of cultural heritage – a time when millions of Vietnamese hearts turn to Sen Village to hear the stories of the President and feel the deep connection to the land and its people.
According to Tran Thi My Hanh, Director of the Nghe An Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, “The Sen Village Festival is a meaningful event, reflecting the people's gratitude and reverence for President Ho Chi Minh.
It also serves to widely promote the implementation ‘Studying and following the ideology, morality and style of President Ho Chi Minh, while introducing and promoting the culture of Sen Village and Nghe An to domestic and international friends and visitors.”
In recent years, the Party and people of the homeland have always remembered the President’s teachings, striving to make Nghe An one of the leading provinces in the north and across the country. In realising his Testament, Nghe An has become a national bright spot in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
In 2024, the province attracted over 1.7 billion USD in FDI, ranking 8th out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide. This marks the third consecutive year that Nghe An has been among the top 10 FDI destinations in the country.
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