A series of activities got underway in cities and provinces nationwide to mark the 123 rd birthday of the late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19).

An exhibition featuring President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example and the national patriotic emulation movements kicked off in Hanoi on May 16.

The event was jointly held by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training, the Central Council for Emulation and Reward, Nhan dan (People) newspaper, Vietnam News Agency, Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) newspaper, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the People’s Army Publishing House.

President Ho Chi Minh launched an appeal for patriotic emulation on June 11, 1948 when the country was engulfed in an arduous and violent war against the French colonialists.

Over 500 photos, documents, objects, news articles and television documentaries, many of which are made public for the first time, capture patriotic emulation movements through various stages and role models from these activities and the campaign “Studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example”.

The same day in Hanoi , the Institute of Ho Chi Minh and Party leaders under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration held a symposium on Ho Chi Minh thoughts on the Party building and rectification.

Participants touched upon issues like how to improve cadres and Party members’ capacity of translating Marxism – Leninism theories into life, and build the transparent and strong Party.

In the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, 11 provincial amateur art troupes and over 300 mass artists joined in a music festival commemorating the beloved late President, and honouring the Party and the patriotic tradition.

The central Highlands province of Dak Nong enjoyed a music contest that attracted 28 art troupes with a string of solo, duet, trio and chorus performances.

The provincial Labour Confederation launched a production emulation movement and the campaign “Studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example” for over 30,000 cadres and workers.

In Dak Lak, the provincial chapter of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) honoured 46 outstanding youngsters in study, production, voluntary activities and youth movements.

Over the past time, the provincial youths have actively offered medical check-ups and medicines to the poor, built houses, donated blood, engaged in poverty reduction, administrative reforms, and anti-crime fight as well.-VNA