Nhan Dan-‘Bac Ho Bat Nhip Bai Ca Ket Doan’ (Uncle Ho Conducts Song of Unity) is the name of a famous photo shot by photographer Lam Hong Long. However, the situation this photo was taken is still not known to many people.

In 1960, photographer Lam Hong Long was successful in shooting the moment of entrancement of President Ho Chi Minh when he conducted an orchestra during a mass gala in Bach Thao (Botanical Garden) in celebration of the third National Party Congress in September, 1960.

When knowing that President Ho would come to the gala, the Ministry of Culture arranged some photographers coming between the orchestra so that they could take a picture of Uncle Ho from the good view. Long’s colleagues were very happy with their place while they felt pity for Long who had to stand behind Uncle Ho as he came a little bit late. At that time, Long felt it did not matter taking picture of Uncle Ho from his back as he thought that everybody could surely recognised the leader. Besides, he assumed that with the background of the orchestra, his photo would be fine with the theme ‘Uncle Ho conducting the orchestra’.

The gala began. Uncle Ho went on the stage with the baton to conduct the orchestra with the song ‘Ket Doan’ (Unity). Suddenly he turned round and of course Lam Hong did not miss the chance. He took one photo featuring Uncle Ho with his baton raising at a very beautiful position. He felt very pleased with the photo. After that, he also took some other photos but none of them were shot in the right moment like the first one.

After being developed, everyone was very surprised with Lam Hong’s picture which was even more successful than others by his colleagues who stood in more favourable positions.

Next morning after the gala, Lam Hong’s photo was published on the front page of newspaper.

To date, that picture has been printed for hundreds of times for exhibitions at home and abroad. The viewers when looking at the picture held that “Uncle Ho was a great conductor and the whole Vietnamese nation was a grand chorus.”

In 1996, photographer Lam Hong were presented the most distinguished prize from the Party and State, the Ho Chi Minh’s Prize on Literature and Art for his two photos: ‘Me Con Ngay Gap Mat’ (Meeting of Mother and Son) and ‘Uncle Ho Conducts the Song of Unity).

By HOANG KIM DANG