Ho Chi Minh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hồ Chí Minh
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Portrait of Hồ Chí Minh, c. 1946
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| Chairman of the Workers' Party of Vietnam | |
| In office 19 February 1951 – 2 September 1969 |
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| General Secretary |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Vietnam | |
| In office 1 November 1955 – 10 September 1960 |
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| Preceded by | Trường Chinh |
| Succeeded by | Lê Duẩn |
| 1st President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam | |
| In office 2 September 1945 – 2 September 1969 |
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| Preceded by | Bảo Đại (as Emperor) |
| Succeeded by | Tôn Đức Thắng |
| 1st Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam | |
| In office 2 September 1945 – 20 September 1955 |
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| Preceded by | Trần Trọng Kim (as Prime Minister of the Empire of Vietnam) |
| Succeeded by | Phạm Văn Đồng |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 28 August 1945 – 2 March 1946 |
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| Preceded by | Trần Văn Chương (Empire of Vietnam) |
| Succeeded by | Nguyễn Tường Tam |
| In office 3 November 1946 – March 1947 |
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| Preceded by | Nguyễn Tường Tam |
| Succeeded by | Hoàng Minh Giám |
| Full Member of the 2nd and 3rd Politburo | |
| In office 31 March 1935 – 2 September 1969 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Nguyễn Sinh Cung
19 May 1890 Kim Liên, French Indochina |
| Died | 2 September 1969 (aged 79) Hanoi, North Vietnam |
| Resting place | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi |
| Political party | Communist Party of Vietnam (1924–1969) |
| Other political affiliations |
French Section of the Workers' International (1919–1921) French Communist Party (1921–1925) |
| Spouse |
Tăng Tuyết Minh
(m. 1926) |
| Relations |
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| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Communist University of the Toilers of the East |
| Occupation |
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| Signature |  |
Hồ Chí Minh (born May 19, 1890 – died September 2, 1969) was a Vietnamese leader. He was a revolutionary and a statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of Vietnam from 1945 to 1955. He was also the President of Vietnam from 1945 until his death in 1969.
Hồ Chí Minh used many different names throughout his life. He was also a writer, a poet, and a journalist. He wrote many books, articles, and poems. He wrote in Chinese, Vietnamese, and French.
Contents
Early Life and Education
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Hồ Chí Minh was born as Nguyễn Sinh Cung in 1890. He was born in a village called Làng Chùa or Hoàng Trù in Central Vietnam. His father, Nguyễn Sinh Sắc, was a scholar. His mother, Hoàng Thị Loan, was a devoted Buddhist.
Young Nguyễn Sinh Cung received a traditional education. He learned about Vietnamese history and culture. He also learned about Confucian values. He was a very bright student and loved to learn. He also had a strong sense of fairness.
His early life was not easy. He saw how the Vietnamese people suffered. They lived under French colonial rule. He saw their poverty and how they were treated unfairly. This experience deeply shaped his beliefs. It made him want to fight for Vietnam's independence.
Discovering the World
In 1911, when he was 21, Nguyễn Sinh Cung left Vietnam. He began a long journey around the world. He worked many different jobs, like a cook and a waiter. He traveled to countries such as France, the United States, and the Soviet Union.
These travels opened his mind to new ideas. He learned about different cultures. He also learned about various political ideas. He saw how other countries fought for their freedom. He learned how they were governed.
During his travels, he learned several languages. These included French, English, and Russian. Being able to speak many languages helped him greatly later on. He could talk to people from different backgrounds. This helped him build important connections.
Path to Revolution
Hồ Chí Minh's travels were more than just sightseeing. They were a key part of his political learning. He became more and more involved in movements for change. He studied many political ideas. He was especially interested in socialist and communist ideas. He believed these ideas could bring fairness and freedom to his country.
He joined the French Socialist Party. He became active in movements against colonial rule. He took part in protests and demonstrations. He spoke up for the rights of people in colonized lands. He understood that working together was important to reach political goals.
Founding the Viet Minh
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In 1941, Hồ Chí Minh returned to Vietnam. He was determined to lead the fight for independence. He created the Viet Minh. This was a group of nationalist and communist organizations. They all shared the goal of freeing Vietnam from French rule. The Viet Minh brought together people with different backgrounds. They all worked towards a common goal.
The Viet Minh used two main strategies. They organized people politically. They also used armed struggle. They held protests and rallies. These actions challenged French power. They also used guerrilla warfare. This meant using quick attacks to weaken the French forces. Their methods helped gather support from the people. They also wore down the French military.
Revolution and Proclamation of Independence
In August 1945, French power was weak due to World War II. Hồ Chí Minh used this chance to lead the August Revolution. This uprising removed the Japanese puppet government. It also led to the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
On September 2, 1945, Hồ Chí Minh declared Vietnam's independence. This happened at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. This declaration was a huge moment for Vietnam. It showed their strong desire for self-rule.
The declaration was inspired by the American Declaration of Independence. It clearly stated that the Vietnamese people wanted freedom. It deeply connected with the people. They had suffered under colonial rule for a long time. The declaration was a powerful symbol of hope. It was also a call for action.
First Indochina War
After declaring independence, Vietnam faced a new challenge. French colonial forces returned. This led to the First Indochina War (1946-1954). This was a long war between the Viet Minh and the French army.
Hồ Chí Minh led the Viet Minh during this war. He played a very important role. He inspired his troops with his strong belief in independence. He also showed great skill in planning the war.
The war was tough and lasted many years. There were both victories and defeats. The Viet Minh had fewer soldiers and less equipment. But they used smart guerrilla tactics. They also had a lot of support from the people. Their strength and determination helped them win in the end.
Later Years
The First Indochina War ended with the Geneva Accords in 1954. These agreements temporarily split Vietnam. It was divided into North and South Vietnam. Hồ Chí Minh became the leader of North Vietnam. The plan was for elections to reunite the country. However, these elections never happened. This led to the start of the Vietnam War.
Death
Hồ Chí Minh passed away from heart failure on September 2, 1969. He was 79 years old. His body is now preserved and displayed. It is in a mausoleum in Ba Đình Square in Hanoi. This is despite his wish to be cremated.
Personal Life
Hồ Chí Minh lived outside Vietnam for almost 30 years. Because of this, he could speak, read, and write many languages. These included French, English, Russian, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Of course, he also spoke his native Vietnamese. He was also said to speak some Esperanto.
Hồ Chí Minh married Zeng Xueming in October 1926. They lived together for less than a year. Zeng did not want to join the communist movements. In 1927, Hồ had to leave for Hong Kong. His relationship with Zeng ended around that time. Some studies also suggest he had a romantic relationship with Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai.
Recognition
There are busts, statues, and memorial plaques for Hồ Chí Minh. They are found in places he visited during his travels. These include France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and Thailand.
Many places, streets, and squares are named after him. This is especially true in Socialist states and former Communist states. In Russia, there is a Hồ Chí Minh square and monument in Moscow. There is also a Hồ Chí Minh boulevard in Saint Petersburg. A square in Ulyanovsk is also named after him.
International Influence
Hồ Chí Minh is seen as one of the most important leaders in the world. Time magazine included him in their list of the "100 Most Important People of the Twentieth Century" in 1998.
His ideas and revolution inspired many leaders and people globally. This happened in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It was during the decolonization movement after World War II.
Images for kids
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Commemorative plaque in Haymarket in London
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A 1920 security report by the French Indochinese government on Nguyễn Tất Thành listing his aliases, places of residence, his father's occupation, as well as other information.
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A plaque in Compoint Lane, District 17, Paris indicates where Hồ Chí Minh lived from 1921 to 1923
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Ho Chi Minh worked as a cook all over the world from 1911 to 1928, also in Milano. This plaque in Via Pasubio, on the left next to "Antica Trattoria Della Pesa", remembers one of his workplaces.
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House on Memorium for Hồ Chí Minh in Ban Nachok, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand
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Ho Chi Minh pictured with children in a photo by state media
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Hồ Chí Minh watching a football game in his favorite fashion, with his closest comrade Prime Minister Phạm Văn Đồng seated to Hồ's left (photo right)
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Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi.
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Hồ Chí Minh statue outside Hồ Chí Minh City Hall, Hồ Chí Minh City
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Shrine devoted to Hồ Chí Minh
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Temple devoted to Nguyễn Sinh Sắc, Hồ Chí Minh's father
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See also
In Spanish: Ho Chi Minh para niños
- Communism in Vietnam
