According to journalist Tran Thi Nhung from the northern mountainous Thai Nguyen Provincial Portal, photographer Dong Khac Tho who takes care of Uncle Ho’s temple has passed away.
Master Dong Khac Tho (the first on the right) introduces visitors to images and artifacts in ATK Dinh Hoa Special National Monument. (Source: qdnd.vn)
By professional title, Master Dong Khac Tho can be called a writer, journalist, historian and photographer. He has been awarded A prize for excellent photo by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists. He used to be President of Vietnam Photographers Association in Thai Nguyen province, Chairman of Thai Nguyen Provincial Cultural Heritage Association, member of Minority Literature Association, member of Thai Nguyen Provincial Literature and Art Association, and author of nearly twenty books on literature, journalism and photography.
However, he still likes to be called by the name I gave him as "The artist who takes care of Uncle Ho's temple" because before retiring, he had been Head of the Management Board of the ATK Dinh Hoa Eco-historical Relic Area in Thai Nguyen province, where has a dignified and beautiful Uncle Ho temple for ten years.
Since 2010, on average, each year, he directly collects from 2 to 3 artifacts related to Uncle's period of operation in the ATK Viet Bac Zone. Many precious artifacts collected by him are on display at the ATK Dinh Hoa special national relic site, such as the sword Uncle Ho gave to Ma Tien Dam when he treated people in Tan Trao in July 1945; bags belonging to women in Pac Bo supplying food to Uncle Ho; a picture of Uncle Ho with Uncle Ton; a photo of Uncle Ho receiving the Southern delegation to ATK – Dinh Hoa Safe Zone; photo of Uncle Ho with Mr. Bui Bang Doan - Head of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and members of the Government Council at the ceremony to confer the rank of General to comrade Vo Nguyen Giap.
Mr. Tho is also the author of linking the Long Tong Festival in early spring of Dinh Hoa people with ATK - Dinh Hoa special national relic site. Every year, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th days of the first lunar month, the lunar New Year, the Long Tong Festival at the ground of President Ho Chi Minh’s Memorial House attracts tens of thousands of tourists./.
BTA