UNCLE HO MONUMENT AT HOA BINH HYDROELECTRIC PLANT

Uncle Ho monument is an architectural highlight on the vast space of the Hoa Binh hydropower project, which is a must-see landmark during a trip to Hoa Binh hydropower plant. It is considered as a perfect and imposing work of art.

Construction of the monument was completed on January 8, 1997. It was inaugurated on the day marking the 67th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It is as high as 18m, featuring the 13.5-meter-tall body of the statute and the 4.5 meters high pedestal. The statue weighs nearly 400 tons, made of ultra-high and granite concrete made by the Institute of Building Materials. It stands atop Tuong hill which is nearly 186 meters from sea level.

The hill is called Tuong (elephant) as it looks like a prostrate giant elephant that uses its trunk to get water from the Da river. There are 79 steps are symbolizing 79 years throughout the life of Uncle Ho from the parking lot to the main yard of the mounument.

The Uncle Ho Monument was designed by sculptor Nguyen Vu An – a lecturer of the Hanoi Architectural University. The architecture of the monument complex was commissioned by Serebriansk – a Russian architect. The monument meets the requirements of fine arts, landscape, architectural and cultural values of humanity.

The idea of building Uncle Ho's monument on Hoa Binh hydroelectric plant came up after Uncle Ho visited the Party Committee and people of different ethnic groups in Hoa Binh, during which he called on the Socialist Working Youth school in Yen Mong commune, Hoa Binh city. His visit came in the flooding season so that local people made a large raft to take him across the river. Standing on the raft, he pointed down the river and said: "After the country is united, we have to conquer this river to prevent floods and serve the long-term interest of our country”. For such reason, the image of Uncle Ho pointing his finger down to the river is expressed in the work.

Following Uncle Ho’s teaching “No job is hard/If one’s will is enduring/ Even digging down the mountain or filling up the ocean/ Is done by one’s will”; thanks to the Soviet Union’s support and our determination, the whole country has overcome difficulties to conquer the ferocious Da river and build Hoa Binh hydroelectric plant to convert boundless water resources into abundant power source serving national development.