Nhan Dan - Le Van Can recounts his time spent working for President Ho Chi Minh, recalling the President's simple lifestyle during the years he serviced.

In early 1950, I was honoured to serve Uncle Ho at the Viet Bac Military Base. I was so moved when I met him for the first time, but Uncle Ho’s warm handshake helped pull myself together.

My work brought the most happiness to my life – I had a chance to go with Uncle Ho and served him from that point onwards. I was a carpenter, so I was responsible for building houses for Uncle Ho whenever he moved to a new house and had to guarantee secret. We used to build stilt houses like those in mountainous areas for Uncle Ho.

During the time in Viet Bac, I built houses for Uncle Ho in Ven Village in 1951, in Dam Hong Village (Chiem Hoa, Ban Thi, Tuyen Quang) in 1952, in Deo Dat in mid-1952, in Hong Thai in 1953, etc.

After the Dien Bien Phu victory, Uncle Ho returned to Hanoi and I also followed and served him until he passed away in 1969. In Hanoi, I was in charge of housework for Uncle Ho. He led a very simple life, from the way he had meals to the way he wore clothes.

On Uncle Ho’s birthdays or during the traditional lunar New Year celebrations, Uncle Ho did not stay at home, but paid visits to others in order to avoid those who came to present gifts to him.

I was assigned to keep Uncle Ho’s belongings and gifts he was presented. Uncle Ho used to give the gifts he received to senior and old aged people, soldiers’ families, heroes and beloved children.

Uncle Ho was a bright example of his simple lifestyle.

By Le Van Can