The former Vietnamese president who worked in a pub in Ealing

Perched elegantly in one of West London’s greenest suburbs, just two miles from the River Thames, is one of Ealing’s oldest pubs.

The Drayton Court Pub and Hotel, on the avenue, is known to be a great place to soak up the summer sun and relax with family and friends.

However, many do not know the story of the former Vietnamese president who worked in the pub before changing the history of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh worked at the pub, nicknamed The Drayton, in 1914. He was a cleaner in their kitchens and is believed to have lived there during his pot washing days.

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In his autobiography, Minh said he worked as a snow sweeper and boiler operator, before moving to the Drayton Court Hotel, a busy establishment near the railroad tracks.

The leader left Drayton court to push the United States, France and Japan out of Vietnam, forever changing the country’s history.

Nguyen Pham, 74, born Vietnamese and now living in Ealing, said: “Ho Chi Minh is a hero among most of us Vietnamese.

“I knew his life story in Ealing and also his travels through London. If you go to the Drayton Court hotel, there are still pictures from when Ho Chi Minh was working.

“It’s hard to imagine that someone who meant so much to our country lived and worked in the West Ealing area.

“It probably would have been hard for anyone to believe how much influence Minh would have on our country and to think that he probably stayed on top of the pub once and did the dishes is pretty hard to believe.

“In fact, I shared my first name with Minh’s, until he changed it. It may seem like a coincidence, but it is a very popular name in Vietnam. It reminds me of all he has done for us and to protect our country. Me, my friends and my family will be forever grateful to him. “

The Drayton Court Hotel is still owned by Fullers and was established in 1893.

It now has a modern feel and a large garden, which recently showed matches at Euro 2020. It seems a far cry from its impressive history.

Minh was so highly regarded that the capital of South Vietnam was changed from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City, which it remains today. He is celebrated all over Vietnam in museums, statues and even days to remember him.

If you fancy visiting the hotel and pub where Ho Chi Minh worked, you can find out more and book a table or a room at www.draytoncourtlondon.co.uk.

Otherwise the hotel is located at 2 The Avenue, London, W13 8PH.