Exhibition “Legendary Footsteps”: Honoring “Uncle Ho’s Sandals”

Visitors learn how to make miniature rubber slippers that can be used as key chains and gifts.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), on August 15, at Kim Ngan Communal House (No. 42-44, Hang Bac Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi ), the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter opened the program "Legendary Footsteps".

The program introduces the birth of rubber sandals during the resistance war against the French. Due to difficult conditions, our army and people were creative, using old tires to make rubber tire sandals. Rubber sandals were widely used by our army during the two long resistance wars.

President Ho Chi Minh also used rubber sandals for decades. Rubber sandals have become a simple but meaningful symbol associated with the life of President Ho Chi Minh.

The poem by author Ta Huu Yen: “Simple sandals/Uncle Ho’s sandals/Uncle returned from the war zone/Street, battlefield, factory, countryside/All bear the imprint of Uncle Ho’s sandals, oh Uncle…” partly expresses this.

Over time, rubber sandals developed into many models, associated with different historical milestones: Uncle Ho Sandals 1947, Soldier Sandals 1954, Khe Sanh Sandals 1968, Liberation Army Sandals 1975...

In modern times, it was thought that rubber sandals would be forgotten, but Mr. Pham Quang Xuan brought back tire sandals and the legendary story of rubber sandals. Not only that, his family's brand "King of Tire Sandals" also conquered dozens of markets around the world .

At the program, the public learned about the history of rubber tire sandals, tire sandal models in the past, and fashionable rubber sandal models today. The display and exhibition activities not only honor the simplicity of Uncle Ho, honor the resilient Vietnamese soldiers, but also carry the message of recycling and environmental protection.

Many students in Hoan Kiem ward were present and had an interesting talk with veterans, many of whom used tire sandals to cut through Truong Son to save the country during the resistance war against America.

Also in the space of Kim Ngan communal house, the Organizing Committee also arranged a space to demonstrate making rubber sandals by artisans of the brand Vua dep ty. Through that, the public can see the ingenuity and creativity of Vietnamese people. From pieces of rubber, artisans can create fashionable sandals and many other handicraft products.

In addition, the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board also cooperated with the Vietnamese Craft Essence Club to introduce a number of other handicraft products. The program runs from now until September 15.

JIANGNAM

Source: https://nhandan.vn/trien-lam-huyen-thoai-buoc-chan-ton-vinh-doi-dep-bac-ho-post901163.html