Given such the plight, series of uprisings by Vietnamese people against the French colonialism broke out all over the country.  Rebellion by people in Central Vietnam against the French colonial tax policy (1907-1908) was one of the most uprisings. Like others in central provinces, many Binh Dinh farmers joined the uprising but then were captured detained at the provincial prison; Some were even detained at Con Dao Prison or executed.

Witnessing the nation’s miserableness, Nguyen Tat Thanh - with his patriotism, rebellion spirit against the oppression and violence - always showed his discontent at the colonialists’ contempt for Vietnamese people although he had been accepted to Quoc Hoc-Hue  High School in August 1908. In 1909, he decided to quit the school, leaving his primary education unfinished and followed his father to Binh Dinh. The dropping out of school was the first turning-point of the young patriotic Nguyen Tat Thanh’s life. He temporarily stopped the schooling to establish his position in life, to follow a new path – the path of revolution, of national salvation and fighting for Vietnamese people. Binh Dinh was the first stop of his trip.

Nguyen Tat Thanh – President Ho Chi Minh had stayed in Binh Dinh for 1 year and 4 months (from mid May 1909 to mid August 1910), said researchers on basis of historical documentation. During the time, he met many people at the land of cultural quintessence, of resounding victories of Tay Son Uprising and Can Vuong Mai Xuan Thuong Movement, etc.  He also witnessed indomitable and courageous spirits of the local patriotic people, who didn’t resign to slavery, joined the fight against the high tax policy, against the merciless oppression of the French colonialism and the contemporary Vietnamese feudalism. Those days left the patriotic youth a deep impression on Binh Dinh people and their patriotic tradition. This partly helps to strengthen the iron will and determination of Nguyen Tat Thanh to seek pathways for the national liberation.

The coming and staying of Nguyen Tat Thanh in Binh Dinh is a historical necessity of the nation given impasse of the patriotic movements in Vietnam in the early 20th century. Moreover, the presence of Nguyen Tat Thanh in Binh Dinh is not only an objective demand but also a subjective result of Nguyen Tat Thanh’s ideological preparation and involvement into the patriotic activities. This event is actually an outcome of dialectical relation between the nation’s objective demand and Nguyen Tat Thanh’s thoughts himself. From history of ideology viewpoint, Binh Dinh land and its people had impact on development of logical thinking in Nguyen Tat Thanh.

During his stay in Binh Dinh, Nguyen Tat Thanh traveled many places but he mainly stayed at Quy Nhon city, learned French language and other subjects with teacher Pham Ngoc Tho (father of the late Minister of Health Pham Ngoc Thach). After the learning, Nguyen Tat Thanh spent much time studying French literature, progressive and patriotic newspapers to improve his knowledge about French culture and compare it with colonial cultures of the French colonies. He studied and realized the exploitation of the French colonialism towards Vietnam and Vietnamese people. Nguyen Tat Thanh also visited Binh Khe district chief’s yamen, where his father – Nguyen Sinh Huy – had stayed and worked; visited hometown of hero Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue, township of Binh Dinh (An Nhon district now), where Mr. Nguyen Sinh Huy had worked as an examiner of provincial exams at Binh Dinh compound, where Mr. Huy were staying during a temporary detention for an await trial at Hue imperial city after being dismissed from duties of Binh Khe district chief; visited Dao Tan, who had had close relationship with the family of Nguyen Sinh Huy. 

Although the duration of Nguyen Tat Thanh – President Ho Chi Minh’s stay in Binh Dinh wasn’t long in compared with his revolutionary road, Binh Dinh’s culture, historical tradition and people did influence the development of his thinking. Binh Dinh partly contributed to the formation of Ho Chi Minh thinking through its fine and unique cultural values and traditions like other localities of Vietnam.

The fact that Nguyen Tat Thanh – President Ho Chi Minh stayed in Binh Dinh before going abroad to seek ways for the national independence and liberation bring pride for Binh Dinh people and its party committee, for all Vietnamese later generations. Binh Dinh was among 5 localities which related to Ho Chi Minh’s life and career. The province was the place where he said goodbye to his father and his older brother before leaving Vietnam. Owning such pride, Binh Dinh party committee and people are trying their best to build up the province, achieving the nation’s goal of the country with rich people and an equal, democratic and civilized society.

• Le Kim Toan