The commemorative ceremony was held at the Pham Van Dong Memorial Area in Xom Cay Gao, Mo Duc district, Quang Ngai province. Attendees included former President Nguyen Minh Triet, former President Truong Tan Sang, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, along with other delegates and local residents.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh offered incense to commemorate former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong on the morning of 1/3. Photo: Phuoc Ngoc.

Before the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the delegates planted a silk-cotton tree, visited the memorial area – which preserves over 1,500 artifacts about the former Prime Minister – and offered incense in his memory.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong (affectionately known as Anh To) as a leader of the Vietnamese revolution, and a close student and associate of President Ho Chi Minh.

Born in Xom Cay Gao, Mo Duc district, Quang Ngai province, the former Prime Minister attended Truong Quoc Hoc Hue and Truong Buoi (now Chu Van An High School, Hanoi). He later participated in revolutionary activities under the guidance of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates visited the exhibition area featuring the rattan table and chairs frequently used by former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Pham Linh.

During his activism, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison by French colonialists and incarcerated on Con Dao. After the August Revolution of 1945, he continued to hold many important positions, notably as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister for 32 years (1955-1987).

According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, in his capacity as head of government, former Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, along with the collective leadership, steered the country through many difficult periods: from building socialism in the North and providing support to the South during the resistance war, to restoring and developing the nation after reunification.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and former President Truong Tan Sang, along with other delegates, planted a silk-cotton tree within the Pham Van Dong Memorial Area. Photo: Pham Linh.

He is recognized for his contributions to socio-economic and foreign affairs development, leaving his mark through projects such as the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant and the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Plant. In diplomacy, he repeatedly led Vietnamese delegations at international conferences.

The former Prime Minister is also remembered for his view of education as a top national policy, emphasizing the role of culture, intellectuals, and preserving the purity of the Vietnamese language.

On this occasion, Quang Ngai province organized additional activities, including: scientific seminars, cultural performances, film screenings, and exhibitions on the former Prime Minister's life and career.

Pham Linh