The copper bas-relief illustrating President Ho Chi Minh’s third visit to the Thai Nguyen Steel Plant on January 1, 1964.  (Photo: baothainguyen.vn)

To honor the historical significance of the site and the legacy of the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation, the company proposed expanding, renovating and restoring the site. Approval was granted by the Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2023.

On November 3, 2023, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision 2736-QD/UBND, approving the renovation and restoration project, with the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation as the investor. The project, which began on December 2, 2023, was completed and put into use recently, with a total cost exceeding VND10 billion, primarily sourced from social contributions, donations, and the support of employees and various organizations and individuals.

The restoration expanded the site from 1,220 square meters to nearly 10,000 square meters. Key features include a memorial house dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh and a copper bas-relief mounted on green stone. The relief, crafted from pure copper, measures 4.75 meters in height, 3.6 meters in width, and weighs over six tons. It was designed and executed by leading Vietnamese architects and sculptors.

The bas-relief depicts President Ho Chi Minh’s third visit to the Thai Nguyen Steel Plant on January 1, 1964. During this visit, after touring the first blast furnace, he addressed the plant’s workers and staff, emphasizing that to produce high-quality steel, workers and officials must forge their revolutionary spirit, class stance, and sense of ownership to be as strong and resilient as steel and iron.

Inside the memorial house, the main altar honors President Ho Chi Minh. The two adjacent rooms pay tribute to pioneering leaders and heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives defending the Thai Nguyen Steel Plant during the U.S. bombing campaigns in northern Vietnam./.

Compiled by BTA