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By: HISTORY.com Editors

1969

Radio Hanoi announces the death of Ho Chi Minh

HISTORY.com Editors

Published: November 16, 2009Last Updated: May 28, 2025

Radio Hanoi announces the death of Ho Chi Minh, who died two days earlier, proclaiming that the National Liberation Front will halt military operations in the South for three days in mourning for Ho.

Ho had been the spiritual leader of the communists in Vietnam since the earliest days of the struggle against the French and, later, the United States and its ally in Saigon. Chinese Premier Chou En-Lai and a delegation from China held talks with First Secretary Le Duan and other members of the North Vietnamese Politburo. The Chinese leaders assured the North Vietnamese of their continued support in the war against the United States. This support was absolutely essential if the North Vietnamese wished to continue the war.

Many in the United States hoped the death of Ho Chi Minh would provide a new opportunity to achieve a negotiated settlement to the war in Vietnam, but this did not materialize.

Ho Chi Minh

Learn about the many names and identities of the man who would become the face of the Vietnamese nationalist movement.

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Citation Information

Article Title: Radio Hanoi announces the death of Ho Chi Minh
Author: HISTORY.com Editors
Website Name: History
URL: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/september-4/radio-hanoi-announces-the-death-of-ho-chi-minh

Date Accessed: October 29, 2026
Publisher: A&E Television Networks
Last Updated: May 28, 2025
Original Published Date: November 16, 2009