HO CHI MINH - A pictorial biography: A monumental and moving work

For the first time, Vietnam has published a pictorial-format biography that vividly recreates the extraordinary life and revolutionary career of President Ho Chi Minh. The book is meticulously compiled, featuring nearly 700 images, including illustrations, photographs, maps, and diagrams collected from both domestic and international sources.

“Ho Chi Minh - the most beautiful name / A name that inspires faith” -  this work presents carefully curated content and imagery that reflect the life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, a brilliant revolutionary leader, a great cultural thinker, and the founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, who led the nation to independence and laid the foundation for modern statehood.

A life and legacy told through images

HO CHI MINH - A pictorial biography, compiled by Dong A Books and published by University of Education Publishing House, spans 324 pages in a large-format edition (25 x 30 cm). It is launched in 2025, a year of great significance: the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birth, the 56th anniversary of his passing, the 56th year of preserving and promoting the legacy of the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Site (1969–2025), and the 71st anniversary of his return to live and work at the Presidential Palace complex (1954–2025).

HO CHI MINH - A pictorial biography featuring a 1924 portrait of Nguyen Ai Quoc on the first cover

This book presents a comprehensive portrait of the modern-era leader of the Vietnamese nation. Through seven key chapters, it chronicles the significant milestones in President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary journey: Childhood and Early Adulthood (1890–1911), Overseas Quest for National Salvation (1911–1924), Revolutionary Activities Abroad (1924–1941), Leadership of the August Revolution (1941–1945), Resistance Against French Colonialism (1945–1954), Resistance Against the United States and National Reunification (1954–1969), and finally, The Legacy of Ho Chi Minh (post-1969).

The pictorial chronicle begins with a defining moment: the departure of a young man named Van Ba aboard the Amiral Latouche-Tréville at Nha Rong Wharf on June 5, 1911. This milestone marked the start of his journey to find a path for Vietnam’s liberation. That patriotic youth, later known as Nguyen Tat Thanh, would become the first Vietnamese communist to take an active role in the international communist movement.

A dynamic historical educational publication for the younger generation

In 1930, Nguyen Ai Quoc convened the founding conference of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He later returned to his homeland to lead the revolutionary movement, launching the August Revolution and establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945. President Ho Chi Minh continued to lead the revolutionary government and united the entire nation in two protracted resistance wars to reclaim national independence and ultimately achieve national reunification.

"If the September 2024 release of Vietnamese History in Pictures marked an important step in our journey to create visual encyclopedias, then by September 2025, the launch of HO CHI MINH - A Pictorial Biography continues that mission with a special historical project. It introduces a dynamic form of educational communication, helping readers, especially younger generations, engage more deeply with the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh."

Hang Giang, Director of Dong A Cultural Company

A rare and monumental historical archive

Through vivid imagery and thoughtfully curated visuals, readers are invited to explore precious historical content embedded in every scientifically and artistically designed page. The book offers an opportunity for a broad audience to engage with, understand, and revere the noble values embodied in the extraordinary life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh.

The volume features numerous illustrations, portraits, photographs of artifacts and monuments, as well as rare archival materials collected from museums across Vietnam and from the French Overseas Archives Center in Aix-en-Provence, which holds a collection of nearly 8,000 pages related to President Ho Chi Minh. The publication was carefully reviewed and edited with expert input from leading scholars, including Associate Professor Dr. Tran Duc Cuong (President of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences), historian Duong Trung Quoc, and Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ba Cuong.

In addition to the standard edition, HO CHI MINH - A pictorial biography is also available in a special S100 collector’s edition, crafted with the care and precision of a fine art piece. This limited edition adds enduring value to the body of literature on beloved President Ho Chi Minh, contributing meaningfully to the preservation and dissemination of national historical and cultural values across generations

The editorial team has thoughtfully curated small yet deeply moving stories from President Ho Chi Minh’s life, while also briefly outlining the global context corresponding to each major period of his revolutionary career. On page 74, the book notes: “Nguyen Ai Quoc embarked on a career in journalism to make a significant impact on public opinion. Journalism was the principal battleground in the early stages of his revolutionary activities.”

Several pages are particularly poignant and emotionally powerful, such as the section portraying his simple, noble lifestyle and his warm, approachable demeanor during the years from Viet Bac to Hanoi (page 226). One page features 19 of his personal belongings, from the pith helmet and rubber sandals to the humble yet historic typewriter he used. Another presents a map of his transcontinental journey in search of national salvation. The collection also includes nearly 50 beautifully designed postage stamps featuring iconic images of President Ho Chi Minh.

By: Khanh Kien

Translated by: Hong Van - Minho