In the late 1920s, President Ho Chi Minh lived in this Thai province secretly for a few years and advanced the cause of freedom and patriotism, working to drive the French out of what was then known as Indochina.
A new museum now commemorates this important period in Vietnam’s history and marks long-standing ties with Thailand.
The inauguration ceremony for the museum was organized on September 1 by the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, provincial authorities, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand.
More than 300 Vietnamese nationals in Thailand and Thai citizens attended the ceremony, local news reports said.
Officials from both sides were cited as saying the museum honors the President’s revolutionary activities in Phichit province.
Nguyen Hai Bang, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand, said that during his stay, Ho Chi Minh promoted solidarity and advocated the eradication of illiteracy among overseas Vietnamese in Thailand.
Bang said he hoped that the museum will become a popular venue for history buffs and culture aficionados, making it a prominent tourist destination in Phichit Province, in particular, and Thailand in general.
Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat echoed Bang’s recalling of the President’s efforts during his stay in Phichit province.
He also expressed hope that the museum will contribute to strengthening the friendship between Thailand and Vietnam.
Located in the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Centre, the Ho Chi Minh museum covers an area of 6,400 square meters, along with the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site.
The monument and museum stand 330 kilometers north of the capital Bangkok. Numerous artifacts, memories, and images of the Vietnamese leader during this period are on display at the museum.
Nhan Dan Online has reported that the museum’s construction cost of more than 30 million THB (about $915,000) was fully borne by the Thai government.