Moving stories at Salloum Border Gate
Even in a troubled situation, many Vietnamese workers still hang on to late President Ho Chi Minh’s portrait even if they lose all their identity papers.
Thousands of people, including more than 850 Vietnamese workers, have arrived at the Salloum Border Gate between Egypt and Libya over the past days. It has never been so crowded and awkward. While trying to flee from the troubled situation in Libya, many Vietnamese workers have list their identity papers but they are very careful to keep a photo of the late President Ho Chi Minh with them because they believe they will have good luck if they keep Uncle Ho’s portrait by their side.
Quang, who keeps Uncle Ho’s portrait with him and counselor Phan Minh Quang
Entering Salloum Border Gate at 3am in freezing weather, a Vietnamese worker from the Huyndai Amco Company met a representative of the Vietnamese Embassy and said “ I have a photo of late President Ho Chi Minh. Can I bring it into Egypt?”
All the people in the delegation were moved to tears when they heard this question. Trang from Ba Vi, Hanoi, brought a photo of Uncle Ho with him when he worked in Libya and now he want to bring it home. Trang said “We asked our manager to allow us to hang Uncle Ho’s portrait during holidays because it reminds us of our homeland.
Trang said he always hangs Uncle Ho’s portrait in his home. “I want to introduce international friends to Uncle Ho who devoted his whole life to the homeland and his compatriots, so I want to bring his photo with me.”
This image of President Ho Chi Minh is always in every Vietnamese heart, especially those from Nam Dan, Nghe An and Ha Tinh, even though they may work in the extreme condition of the Sahara desert.
Tran Hoa Binh from Ha Tinh province said “Whenever we go, we bring Uncle Ho’s photo with us.”
Phi Dinh Phuc from Thach That, Hanoi, also carries Uncle Ho’s portrait. When packing his luggage to return home, he remembered to take Uncle Ho’s portrait although he had lost his identity papers. “During the recent Lunar New Year I reminded my co-workers to keep their money with Uncle Ho’s portrait in their breast pockets because it shows Uncle Ho is always in our hearts,” he said.
There were 382 Vietnamese workers from the Huyndai AMCO, who entered Egypt safely on February 26 although they had lost their passports. Their wishes had come true. Uncle Ho’s portrait had brought them luck. Before leaving Salloum they sang “Nhu co Bac Ho trong ngay vui dai thang” (As if Uncle Ho were here on this great day of victory).