Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Viet Nam which is quite famous on the world stage which was formerly, named Saigon, is famous for its rich history, dynamic culture, and bustling urban life. However, Ho Chi Minh is more than a city but the name of the most influential national hero in Viet Nam.

Who is Ho Chi Minh?

Born with the name Nguyen Sinh Cung, Ho is also known by two other names, namely Nguyen Tat Thanh or Nguyen Ai Quoc, and was a president from 1945 to 1969 of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam (North Viet Nam). During his leadership, he fought against colonialism during the First and Second World Wars against three nations, which are France, Japan, and the United States.

A French Indochina leader was born on May 19, 1890, in Hoang Tru, Viet Nam, where his influence began to grow since he became the founder of the Indochina Communist Party (1930) and its successor, the Viet-Minh (1941).

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Where and when did his journey begin?

He had a long journey before finally being recognized as one of the prime movers of the post-World War II anti-colonial movement in Asia and one of the most influential communist leaders of the 20th century. It all started when he left the country on June 3, 1911, to travel the world on a French ship. This journey took him to several ports in Africa, the United States of America (Boston and New York), the Soviet Union or Russia, China, and even to London, where he lived for two years from 1915 to 1917.

A leader or politician didn’t match his past various job lists, such as a cook’s helper, pastry chef, gardener, sweeper, waiter, photo retoucher, and oven stoker. But during the six years he spent in France (1917–23), after moving from London, he began his journey in leadership by becoming an active socialist, where he received the nickname “Nguyen the Patriot” or “Nguyen Ai Quoc.”

Starting with organizing a group of Viet Namese in 1919, he submitted an eight-point petition to the Versailles Peace Conference, demanding equal rights for the people of Indochina under French colonial rule.

The movement led Ho to be seen as a hero by many Viet Namese, despite his petition being dishonored. The next year, inspired by the Russian Revolution and Lenin's anti-imperialist ideas, Ho joined the French Communist Party after withdrawing from the Socialist Party in December 1920.

In 1923, he visited Moscow for training at Comintern, an organization created by Lenin to promote the worldwide revolution. He then continued his trip to southern China to organize a revolutionary movement among Viet Namese exiles, forming them into the Viet Nam Thanh Nien Cach Menh Dong Chi Hoi (Viet Namese Revolutionary Youth Association), widely known under the name Thanh Nien.

Ho Chi Minh's most active years

He spent most of his time in the Soviet Union and China during the 1930s. First, he founded the Indo-Chinese Communist Party (ICP) and acted as a mediator between factions, focusing on organizing revolutionary action rather than initiating it. Strategically, Ho managed to keep the balance with Moscow and gain influence among Viet Namese Communists.

French repression in Viet Nam was rising, as Ho was sentenced to death and fled to Hong Kong in 1931-1932. By 1935, Ho supported the policies of the Popular Front at the Seventh International Congress in Moscow, advocating an alliance with non-communist left groups against fascism.

Thanks to the formation of the Popular Front government, France gave freedom to left-wing forces in Indochina from 1937 to 1938, although Ho remained in exile. However, with the fall of the Blum government in 1937, repression increased, and by 1938, the Popular Front's influence had weakened.

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The humble President of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam

In 1938, Ho returned to China and stayed with Mao Zedong in Yen-an. After France's defeat by Germany in 1940, Ho, along with Vo Nguyen Giap and Pham Van Dong, saw an opportunity to advance their influence. It was during this time that he adopted the name Ho Chi Minh, or "He Who Enlightens."

After returning to Viet Nam in 1941 because of the Japanese invasion of Viet Nam, Ho Chi Minh gained more influence during World War II by forming alliances with various anti-colonial forces, including the United States, and collaborating with the Allies in their fight against the Japanese occupation of Viet Nam.

In 1945 and the following year, Ho had his pivotal years, especially after seizing the moment to declare Viet Nam's independence when Japan surrendered. Later, Ho established and became the president of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, vowing to fight against any attempts to reestablish colonial rule.

Fast forward to 30 years of his presidential era, he devoted his life to leading Viet Nam through a tumultuous period, including the war against French colonial rule, conflict with the United States, nation-building specifically in North Viet Nam, implementing land reform, encouraging economic development, and prioritizing education and social welfare.

Until July 2, 1976, marked the end of the Viet Nam War and the reunification of North and South Viet Nam, the city formerly known as Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. The former president was known for his humble lifestyle. It is said he preferred to live in a simple wooden stilt house in the palace grounds, where he passed away—on September 2, 1969—rather than in the ostentatious yellow Presidential Palace.

Summing up, Ho Co Minh during his life after living and returning to Viet Nam