PORTRAIT OF PRESIDENT HO CHI MINH 
A portrait used in the memorial service for President Ho Chi Minh at the battlefield

This is the story of the silk portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, which was carefully preserved by Mr. Le Quy My from My Loi village, Vinh My commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province. During the resistance war against the U.S., Mr. My held various leadership roles, including Head of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee and later, Deputy Secretary of the Thua Thien Provincial Party Committee.

In July 1954, Mr. Le Quy My, along with a group of soldiers and officials, gathered in the North. In 1964, he returned to the Thua Thien battlefield. During this period, he had the honor of safeguarding the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, entrusted to him by senior leadership. The portrait, made of black-and-white silk, was used during important meetings, conferences, and ceremonies such as party or youth member inductions, and military swearing-in events.

In 1969, when President Ho Chi Minh passed away, Mr. Le Quy My and his comrades used this portrait for the memorial altar in their battlefield tribute to him. The simple altar featured only the black-and-white portrait and an incense burner. During this sacred moment of bidding farewell to the President, Mr. My and his comrades solemnly bowed in respect. After 1975, the portrait continued to be used for family memorials.

In September 2009, Mr. Le Quy My donated this cherished portrait of President Ho Chi Minh to the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Thua Thien Hue, where it is preserved and displayed.