Hồ Chí Minh

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Hồ Chí Minh (May 19, 1890 - September 3, 1969) was the leader (at one time Premier, then later President) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. 'Hồ Chí Minh', meaning 'Hồ (a common Vietnamese last name) with the will of light', was not his real name. He took this name around the time of the August Revolution in 1945. His name was Nguyễn Sinh Cung when he was born. At age ten he changed his name to Nguyễn Tất Thanh, according to Confucian tradition. He would later use many 'pseudonyms' (false names). Other than 'Hồ Chí Minh', his most famous name was probably 'Nguyễn Ái Quốc' meaning 'Nguyễn (by far the most common Vietnamese last name) who loves his country'. Vietnamese people commonly refer to him as 'Bác Hồ' (Uncle Hồ).

President Hồ Chí Minh is often called the Vietnamese George Washington. He devoted his life to independence and liberty for the Vietnamese people. He would lead Vietnam through decades of war against foreign invasion to independence, which came several years after his death.

Ignoring his last wishes to be cremated, and that his ashes be buried in hills in the north, center, and south of Vietnam, those who took his place put him in a mausoleum where he is still honored.

Some Vietnamese came to blame Hồ Chí Minh for the repression carried out by Communist Vietnamese that he supported, even after he had passed away.