President Ho Chi Minh with Poet Thanh Hai in 1962
In October 1962, poet Thanh Hai, part of the delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, had the privilege of visiting President Ho Chi Minh at the Presidential Palace. Ho Chi Minh warmly embraced Thanh Hai like a father welcoming a child returning from afar. During the meeting, President Ho Chi Minh requested Thanh Hai to recite a poem. Thanh Hai chose Chau nho Bac Ho, a poem he had composed by the O Lau River. When he reached the line, Om hon anh Bac ma ngo Bac hon! ("I embrace your photo, dreaming you embrace me"), the poet was overcome with emotion. Sensing this, Ho Chi Minh hugged Thanh Hai and said, “Here, today, I am giving you a real hug!”
A journalist captured this poignant moment, gifting the poet a photograph that became a cherished keepsake. For Thanh Hai, this image represented the fulfillment of his poetic longing to embrace Ho Chi Minh. Although both Thanh Hai and Ho
Chi Minh passed away before the country's reunification - Ho Chi Minh in 1969 and Thanh Hai in 1980 - the poem Chau nho Bac Ho and the precious photograph of their embrace continue to hold a lasting place in the hearts of the people of Thua Thien Hue.