Ho Sy So was among the few photographers assigned to take pictures of Cuban President Fidel Castro’s visit to Quang Tri in September 1973, from Hien Luong Bridge to the end of his visit. This assignment enabled him to record historic pictures of the famous leader’s visit to Vietnam’s liberated zone of Quang Tri.
At that time, Ho Sy So was working for Quang Tri’s Department for Culture and Information when he was secretly informed that he would have to implement an important task. Only upon arriving at Hien Luong Bridge did he learn that he was assigned to take pictures of President Fidel Castro’s visit.
In the early dawn, on the other side of the pontoon bridge, there were the lights of convoy cars travelling toward the Southern bank of Hien Luong River.
President Fidel Castro and the presents given to him by Quang Tri people. Photo: Ho Sy So.
“Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and President Fidel Castro got out of the car, shook hands and hugged local leaders and people,” said Ho Sy So.
The convoy then left Hien Luong Bridge for the Hall of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. In this moment, Ho Sy So timely took the photo of President Fidel Castro hugging Lieutenant General Tran Nam Trung and Party Secretary of Quang Tri Ho Sy Than in his arms. The meeting was like that of brothers who have not seen each other for a long time.
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At Peak 241 in Tan Lam, a stand was erected with steel and aluminum beams. The scene was solemn, with red banners on both sides and slogans showing the friendship between the two countries on them.
Bursts of applause followed when Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, on behalf of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), introduced President Fidel Castro and other distinguished Cuban guests. Then, President Fidel Castro started to talk with cadres, soldiers and people in the liberated zone of Quang Tri.
Fidel Castro’s speech lasted nearly an hour and a half. Without looking at any prepared papers, Fidel Castro talked about the victories of the people and soldiers in the South of Vietnam in the general uprisings in 1968 and Spring 1972 when Quang Tri was liberated and the US had to sign the Paris Peace Agreement.
The Cuban President also said that Vietnam’s resistance war had been supported by friends worldwide, especially from Cuba. Whenever he paused, the area resounded with bursts of applause, said Ho Sy So.
“I took a portrait of President Fidel Castro on the stand,” Ho Sy So revealed the photo that many of his friends thought that he was near the President and had enough time to prepare.
Amidst the waving hands, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong’s voice could be heard from the speakers: “Viva Cuba! Viva Vietnam! Viva Fidel! Viva Ho Chi Minh!”
President Fidel Castro, quickly moved to the front of the soldiers’ lines, took the military flag, shined with orders on it, and raised it high in the music of applause.
“I shot continuously. Sometimes I just raised the camera above my head I shot. It was like I was trying to find Fidel Castro in the crowd of Quang Tri people,” Ho Sy So said.
Quang Tri people welcomed President Fidel Castro. Photo: Ho Sy So.
After the meeting, leaders and commanders took President Fidel Castro to visit Peak 241 where mines and grenades had been cleared and marked. The President saw the achievements of the Vietnamese people and had a good chance to talk with the soldiers of units that gained a lot of victories in the General Uprisings 1968 and Quang Tri Liberation Campaign 1972.
The Cuban President also walked two kilometers on Route 9, passing Dong Ha town of Quang Tri. He was interested in the stories of the blockhouses, built by the French in 1947, and which, at the time he came, were surrounded by US tanks.
“When Fidel walked, we had to run to catch up with him,” said Ho Sy So.
His final shots were done when the day ended. It was the time the leaders of the two countries said good bye to the soldiers and local people in Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province.
Ho Sy So is now Head of the Quang Tri Photographers’ Association. His pictures of President Fidel Castro’s visit to Quang Tri are unforgettable memories in his career.
Source: chinhphu.vn
Translated by Ngoc Hung
Đăng ký: VietNam News
