General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in the hearts of his hometown residents

In recent days, people in Lai Da Village and the whole Dong Hoi Commune have all volunteered to clean up their village roads in preparation for welcoming the family of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and delegations coming to pay tribute to a respected leader, who was dedicated to the people and the country.

Nguyen Kim Chi, a teacher at Ngo Quyen Secondary School in Dong Hoi Commune, shared that from the afternoon of July 19, all citizens, irrespective of age, voluntarily played their part in cleaning up the environment, places of worship and the cultural house. The working atmosphere was both urgent and solemn. Everyone understands the meaning of what they are doing, with a desire to express their respect for an outstanding son of their village.

Chu Thi Loc in Lai Da Village said "I am proud that the village has such an outstanding man like General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Everyone in the commune and our village loves, respects and takes pride in him. Now he has passed away, we are deeply saddened and wish that he rests in peace."

Meeting us in the front yard of Lai Da Communal House, Vuong Khac Kha said in tears, "The conversation of our villagers over the past several days was all about General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. He was an outstanding and simple leader, who was very close to his hometown. There was a time when Lai Da Village held an anniversary ceremony for the village guardian, the General Secretary sat in the communal house yard and talked with the people. He then slowly walked home from the village communal house without going by vehicle."

As a childhood classmate of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Nguyen Thi Thuan, 80, recalled, "When he was small, his family was in a very difficult situation. His parents were both peasants, so he grew up with sweet potatoes and cassava roots. But he was always one of the most excellent students in the class and the school."

In the memory of his village classmate, the poor boy Nguyen Phu Trong studied very hard and always scored high results. Thuan recalled "Later when he became the top leader of the Party and State, a man whom we thought could only see on television, the villagers were still able to see him whenever he returned to his hometown. He frequently inquired after and wished longevity for his childhood friends. I remember when I reached 70 years old, the General Secretary visited his homeland and asked about me, giving me his best wishes."

In the minds of Lai Da villagers, the image of the Party and country leader is always that simple and intimate. The General Secretary’s modesty in the way he spoke with villagers left a deep sentiment in the heart of each villager.

An emotional Nguyen Ba Thi shared, "After hearing Mr Trong was not very well, we the villagers were following the news closely, hoping to receive news that he has recovered. Previously whenever there were important occasions in the village, we all looked forward to his attendance. His friendliness, intimacy and simplicity made us feel that there is no distance between him and us, it was like welcoming a filial son who worked from afar back to the village."

Nguyen Phu Viet, Secretary of Lai Da Village and Head of the Nguyen Phu Clan said, that about a fortnight ago, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited his home, offered incense to his ancestors and looked at the recently refurbished house. No one expected that it was his last visit to his hometown.

Many still remember that on the 9th day of the Lunar New Year in 2014, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong returned to the village and attended a longevity celebration ceremony for the village elders. After wishing good health to the village’s senior citizens, the General Secretary promised that he would strive to be worthy of the trust of the Party and villagers. He said "I always bear gratitude to the hometown. Whenever I go, I always think that I am a man of Dong Anh, a man of Dong Hoi, Lai Da."

For his villagers, the General Secretary was a very affectionate and simple man. During his visits to the homeland, he always chose to appear in the most ordinary way without pomposity.

Nguyen Khac Thuc, a member of the Lai Da Village Senior Citizens Society, said "When returning to his hometown, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was very close, simple and friendly. He talked in a calm and honourable manner. Despite being very busy, whenever conditions and times allowed, the General Secretary was always willing to attend the society’s activities and the village festivals.

He added "When hearing news of his passing, I and the villagers were deeply saddened. Whenever the General Secretary returned to the village, he usually spent time visiting the elderly, poor households and small children. His affection for the homeland was very profound."

Dong Hoi Commune Party Secretary Le The Chuyen stifled his emotions and said, "General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always gave strong affection to his hometown and villagers. During his homecoming visits, the local government wanted to hold formal reception ceremonies but he always turned them down."

The Dong Hoi Commune Party Secretary recalled that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always advised the government and people of Dong Hoi Commune to bring into play the revolutionary tradition, unite and be creative in socio-economic development, especially paying attention to building a clean and strong Party organisation to make Dong Hoi wealthier, more beautiful and more civilised.

Born in Lai Da Village, Youth Union Secretary Lan Phuong is proud to share the hometown with the General Secretary. In the mind of Phuong, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a simple and friendly man, who always cared for the villagers. For the younger generation, he is a bright example for them to follow and become useful citizens of society.

Dong Anh District Party Secretary Le Trung Kien shared, "The General Secretary’s passing is a great loss to the Party, State and people, especially the Party organisations, governments and people of Dong Hoi Commune and Dong Anh District. During his lifetime, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always devoted his love for and inspired the Party organisation, government and people of Dong Anh District to rise up and realise the aspiration of hometown and national development."