GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE MEMORIAL SITE OF JUNIOR DOCTOR NGUYEN SINH SAC: A project with special importance

Amidst the nationwide celebration of the 135th birth anniversary of the great President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 – May 19, 2025), on the morning of May 19, Binh Duong province solemnly held the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Memorial Site of Junior Doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac. This project is of profound historical, cultural, and humanitarian significance, expressing the deep gratitude of the Party, government, and people of Binh Duong province for great contributions by junior doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac. It also aims at educating future generations in the patriotic tradition and national pride.

The ceremony was attended by Nguyen Minh Triet, former Politburo Member and former State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Nguyen Van Loi, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of provincial Party Committee and Head of provincial National Assembly Deputy Delegation; Nguyen Van Duoc, Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Secretary of Ho Chi Minh city’s Party Committee, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh city’s People’s Committee; Nguyen Loc Ha, Permanent Vice Secretary of provincial Party Committee; Vo Van Minh, Vice Secretary of provincial Party Committee and Chairman of provincial People’s Committee; Nguyen Van Loc, Member of provincial Party Standing Committee and Chairman of provincial People’s Council, along with members of the Standing Committee, current and former provincial leaders together with  leaders from other provinces and cities.

A project with great significance

Junior Doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac – the father of President Ho Chi Minh – was a patriotic confucian scholar who passed imperial examinations during a time when the country was in turmoil and lost its sovereignty. Deeply understanding the hardships and oppression faced by the nation, he renounced his official career and traveled throughout the southern regions to spread patriotic ideals, promote national pride and seek ways to drive out foreign invaders.

During his journey from his homeland in Nghe An to his final resting place in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, he lived and worked at Hoi Khanh pagoda in Thu Dau Mot city’s Phu Cuong ward in Binh Duong province. This was the place where he stayed and participated in patriotic activities for the longest and most continuous period over three years from 1923 to 1926. During this time, junior doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac collaborated with patriotic scholars and monks to form the Patriotic Honor Society. Through teaching, prescribing herbal medicine and treating the ill, he spread the spirit of patriotism.

With deep affection for him, Hoi Khanh pagoda has respectfully preserved and maintained the worship of Junior Doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac at the pagoda. Every year, on the 27th day of the 10th lunar month, provincial Committee for Major Festivals collaborates with Hoi Khanh pagoda to organize a memorial ceremony in honor of junior doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac, expressing profound gratitude and reverence for a patriotic scholar who devoted his entire life to the cause of national independence and the noble ideals of the nation.

From this meaning and with the aim of educating future generations about the tradition of “when drinking water, remember its source”, preserving the nation's cultural identity and expressing the profound respect and gratitude of the people of Binh Duong for the great contributions and noble character of Junior Doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac who spread patriotic ideals across the country and particularly in Binh Duong, the province has initiated the construction of the Memorial Site of junior doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac. This project is also in combination with the urban revitalization of the areas adjacent to the grounds of Hoi Khanh pagoda, the place where he once lived and carried out his activities during his time in Binh Duong.

For the Party Committee, authorities and people of Binh Duong province, this project holds particularly significant historical and cultural values. It not only demonstrates profound gratitude for the immense contributions of junior doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac, but also contributes to educating future generations about patriotism and national pride.

Upon completion, the project is expected to become a prominent cultural and historical destination integrated into Binh Duong's modern and compassionate urban space.

Fulfilling people’s aspirations

The memorial site is designed with an open and harmonious space that complements the architecture of Hoi Khanh temple, integrated with urban rejuvenation. It aims at forming up a sacred cultural and historical complex along with a clean, green park that best serves the needs of learning, promoting and educating about patriotic traditions as well as providing a place for sightseeing, recreation and entertainment for people from all strata.

Accordingly, the memorial site covers an area of approximately 3.6 hectares, with main components, including the Worship House and Ceremorial House of the Junior Doctor Nguyen Sinh Sec Memorial Site. This is the central component of the project, designed in the Southern folk architectural style combined with traditional Vietnamese elements, creating a solemn and intimate space with high historical and cultural values. The design harmonizes with the architecture of Hoi Khanh pagoda and reflects the simplicity and purity of the life of Junior Doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac. The exhibition space recreates the life and career of Junior Doctor Nguyen Sinh Sac. The front square is inspired by the patterns of Dong Son bronze drums and serves community activities as well as the education of traditional values. The urban landscape infrastructure is systematically renovated, creating a highlight for the central area of Thu Dau Mot city.

The investment capital for the project is a combination of public funding and socialized capital. Specifically, the construction of the Worship House and Ceremonial House of the memorial site is funded through socialized capital, with Becamex IDC as the investor, at a construction cost of over VND 83 billion. The remaining components of the project are financed by the State budget, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Reported by Hong Thuan-Translated by Kim Tin