President Hồ Chí Minh, born on May 19, 1890, was not only an outstanding leader, a beloved comrade, a teacher, and a close friend in the hearts of every Vietnamese person, but also a great and humble man with the erudite wisdom, far-reaching vision, and noble ambitions "giving everything for the fatherland, for the people” in the eyes of international friends.

Major General Đinh Quốc Hùng - Political Commissar of the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum Protection Command said the life and career of President Hồ Chí Minh (Uncle Hồ) is a shining example of patriotism and great encouragement for generations of Vietnamese.

Trần Viết Hoàn, a bodyguard of President Hồ Chí Minh during 1966-1969 and former Director of Uncle Hồ's relic site, said: “Uncle Hồ passed more than 50 years ago, but on the occasion of his birthday in May every year, Vietnamese people miss him very much.

“Uncle Hồ was a great leader but very simple, close, sincere and always cared for everyone around him.”

At that time they knew each other, Hoàn said Uncle Hồ’s meal would often only be a bowl of vegetable soup and some cà pháo (salted egg plants). Sometimes, there were also slices of braised meat or fish.

Uncle Hồ often asked the kitchen to mix the rice with cassava roots to save rice like everyone else did while the country was very poor. Every Saturday for dinner Uncle Hồ only ate porridge, Hoàn said.

He did this, Hoàn said, to be able to save the rice and give it to the poor.

Chile’s late President Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens said behind President Hồ Chí Minh’s soft look is a strong, brave and indomitable spirit.

“At first Westerners just laughed at his clothes, then many people realised that his special clothes prove that no matter where, among the elite or among the masses, he never forgets that he is one of the people of his beloved country,” Salvador said.

“If anyone wants to find words that can sum up all of President Hồ Chí Minh’s life, simplicity and humility.”

Blaga Nikolova Dimitrova, a Bulgaria's female poet, wrote in her work: "An hour with Comrade Hồ Chí Minh" that "Hope has many different names, but in Việt Nam, hope is symbolised by President Hồ Chí Minh."

Honorary late President of the World Peace Council (WPC) Romesh Chandra said: “Wherever there is fighting for independence and freedom, there is Hồ Chí Minh and the flag of Hồ Chí Minh flies high.”

In November 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid an official visit to Việt Nam and visited President Hồ Chí Minh's residence. Putin wrote in the visitor’s book that: "Humanity has entered the 21st century, a century of peace, progress and prosperity. But Hồ Chí Minh's ideological and moral values are believed to be a torch, a symbol of a future culture. So, history will forever refer to him as a saint.”