Ho Chi Minh: Selected Works on Peace, Democracy and Gender Equality

CONTENTS _________________

Acknowledgments About the Author Glossary of Terms Map and Historical Outline Prologue CHAPTER 1: Brief Facts About Ho Chi Minh’s Life and Work 1 Timeline of Ho Chi Minh’s Life and Work 1 Facts about Ho Chi Minh 17 27 Ho Chi Minh According to the Pentagon Papers CHAPTER 2: Ho Chi Minh’s Messages to the United States, 41 Other Major Powers, and the United Nations CHAPTER 3: Selected Works on Peace

99

CHAPTER 4: Selected Works on Democracy

143

CHAPTER 5: Selected Works on Gender Equality

185

Notes Bibliography Index

Map of Vietnam

Photo: National Border Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam

CHAPTER 1 __________________ BRIEF FACTS ABOUT HO CHI MINH’S LIFE AND WORK Timeline of Ho Chi Minh’s Life and Work

Early years in Vietnam (1890–1910) 1890

Born Nguyễn Sinh Cung on May 19 in Nghệ An province (290 kilometres south of Hanoi).

1895

Walked 400 kilometres with his parents and sevenyear-old brother Nguyễn Sinh Khiêm from Nghệ An to the imperial city of Huế (Centre), where his father Nguyễn Sinh Sắc went to pursue his studies. Elevenyear-old sister Nguyễn Thị Thanh stayed home with her grandmother.

1901

His mother Hoàng Thị Loan died in Huế while his father and brother were away. Ho Chi Minh had to look after an infant brother (who died ten months later). He returned to Nghệ An and studied with private teachers who were nationalists. His father earned Phó Bảng (second place after Doctor of Philosophy or Tiến Sĩ).

1901–1905

Travelled with his father and brother around the country to learn about Vietnamese history.

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Father Nguyễn Sinh Sắc (1862-1929)

Mother Hoàng Thị Loan (1868-1901)

Sister Nguyễn Thị Thanh (1884-1954)

Brother Nguyễn Sinh Khiêm (1888-1950)

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Facts About Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh’s efforts to regain independence for Vietnam and to rebuild the country were severely distorted in the West. As noted by Susan Dunn (1999), “by 1946, all American references to Ho in Washington were prefixed with the word ‘communist’.”28 Below are the five particularly striking observations about his life and work, which help to bring the truth about Ho Chi Minh to the fore. More details can be found in the section: “Ho Chi Minh According to the Pentagon Papers.”

1. Ho Chi Minh and the O.S.S. were allies in 1945.

Many people would be surprised to learn that Ho Chi Minh and the Office of the Strategic Services (O.S.S.), the precursor of the present-day Central Intelligence Agency, were allies in the fight against the Japanese occupation forces in Vietnam during the Second World War.29 Ho Chi Minh worked with Archimedes Patti (1913–1998), who headed O.S.S. operations in Kunming, China and Hanoi in 1945.

An American O.S.S. officer named ‘John’ recalls the following in the Pentagon Papers. He spent two months in the jungle with Ho Chi Minh and “played a more immediate role in Vietnamese affairs by informally helping Ho frame a Declaration of Independence.”

He kept asking me if I could remember the language of our Declaration,’ John says. ‘I was a normal American, I couldn't. I could have wired up to Kunming and had a copy dropped to me, of course, but all he really wanted was the flavour of the thing. The more we discussed it, the more he actually seemed to know about it than I did. As a matter of fact, he knew more about almost everything than I did, but when I thought his demands were too stiff, I told him anyway. Strange Dunn, Susan (1999). Sister Revolutions. French Lightening, American Light. New York: Faber and Faber, p. 177.

29 Bartholomew-Feis, Dixee (2006). The OSS and Ho Chi Minh: Unexpected Allies in the War against Japan. University Press of Kansas.

28

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thing was he listened. He was an awfully sweet guy. If I had to pick out one quality about that little old man sitting on his hill in the jungle, it was his gentleness.’30

Ho Chi Minh (third from the right), General Võ Nguyên Giáp (third from the left) with the Viet Minh troops and O.S.S. Deer Team in Tân Trào, July 1945.

Photo: Vietnam Historical Museum.

2. Ho Chi Minh quoted the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of Rights in Vietnam’s Proclamation of Independence When he read the Proclamation of Independence of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh purposely quoted the United States Declaration of Independence, “All men are created equal,” and also the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, “All men are born free and with equal rights,” and expanded this to the idea of the equality of nations. The failure of the United States to respond to his overtures led to decades of war, enormous casualties and a tragic loss of life on all sides.

30

The Pentagon Papers, Part I, C-58-59.

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Howard Zinn, the American historian who testified at the Trial of the Camden 28 about the content of the Pentagon Papers, recalled how the declaration of independence that Ho Chi Minh had drafted reflected the American and French ideals. But this declaration was not taken seriously, and France returned to colonize Vietnam once again, with support from the United States and the United Kingdom. … And so the French came back in 1945, and they faced this independence movement; and in the Pentagon Papers, one of the remarkable things that appears [is] a document which is the Declaration of Independence that Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnam and independence movement drew up in 1945.

When we defeated the Japanese and the Germans, and the Japanese had got out of Indochina, and these people in Vietnam thought they would be free now -- they thought maybe that would keep the French out, too -- they drew up this Declaration of Independence and had a tremendous celebration in Hanoi. A hundred thousand people gathered in Hanoi [for a] huge celebration, and they read this Declaration of Independence, and it read: “All men are created equal.

There are certain inalienable rights: life, liberty [and] the pursuit of happiness.”

Well, those are the words of the American Declaration of Independence. Now, Ho Chi Minh and his people took from the American Declaration of Independence and they took from the French Declaration of Rights from the French Revolution, and they created a new declaration of their own.

But the French were put back by the United States and England, and then the war started... The French bombarded Haiphong Harbour. They killed 8,000 civilians in that bombardment. It was a sudden surprise bombardment of Haiphong Harbour.

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In the North, a large crowd of Vietnamese people gathered at the Ba Đình Square in Hanoi, September 2, 1945.

In the South, the Vietnamese people gathered at the Nam Bộ Phủ Square in Saigon to celebrate the Proclamation of Independence, September 2, 1945.

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3. Ho Chi Minh sent 17 messages to the United States without reply.

Ho Chi Minh sent 17 messages to the United States between August 1945 and December 1946, including 10 letters and telegrams to President Harry Truman, asking for recognition of Vietnam’s independence from French colonial rule and assistance in protecting his country from further incursions. The United States ignored Ho Chi Minh’s pleas.

In addition to reaching out to the United States, Ho Chi Minh appealed to other Western leaders for support. He made a radio appeal in October 1945 to President Harry Truman, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee and French leader Charles de Gaulle, notifying them that his government “intended to hold a plebiscite to give a constitution to [Vietnam].”31 He wrote a letter to French Prime Minister Léon Blum after war had broken out between France and Vietnam in 1947, insisting that “an independent and unified Vietnam” could exist “in the French Union.”32 In 1955, Ho Chi Minh wrote a letter to Lester Pearson, assuring Canada’s then-secretary of state for external affairs that North Vietnam would comply with the terms of the Geneva Accords and hold free elections.33 As Canada’s 14th prime minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Pearson held a different view on the Vietnam War than President Lyndon Johnson. Ho Chi Minh wrote to Prime Minister Lester Pearson in 1966 expressing his hope that the Government of Canada “will fulfill its obligation under the Geneva agreements” as a member of the International Commission for Supervision and Control for the Implementation of the 1954 Geneva Agreement on Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh sent a telegram to Pope Paul VI in 1967, expressing a mutual wish with the pontiff in seeing an “early peaceful solution” to the war in Vietnam.34 The Pentagon Papers, Part I, C-60.

Ho Chi Minh Collection 5 (1947): 172-174.

33 Ho Chi Minh Collection 10 (1955): 63-64.

34 Ho Chi Minh Collection 15 (1967): 297-298, and U.S. Department of State, https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v05/d42.

31

32

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Last letter from President Ho Chi Minh to President Harry Truman, February 28, 1946, pleading for recognition of Vietnam’s independence and support to prevent France from recolonizing Vietnam. This is the best-known letter, released by the United States government in 2011.

Photo: U.S. National Archives Catalogue, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/305263.

BRIEF FACTS

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4. One of Ho Chi Minh’s greatest legacies was the elimination of illiteracy in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh believed that the people are entitled not only to basic necessities such as food and clothing, but also literacy skills so that they can exercise their democratic rights and contribute to nationbuilding. He called on everyone to learn how to read and write and to help others learn: Vietnamese citizens!

To protect our independence, To make our people strong and our country rich, All Vietnamese people have to understand their rights and responsibilities and get new knowledge in order to participate in the cause of nation-building. And first, the people must be able to read and write. … Women especially need to learn, because you have been oppressed for so long. This is an opportunity to catch up with men, to deserve being equal citizens with the right to vote and to run for office.35

Ho Chi Minh visits a literacy class for women, 1945.

35

Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1945): 40-41.

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Ho Chi Minh had a long-term view of the critical role of education in building a fair and equitable society after many years under French obscurantist policy. He started a literacy campaign in 1945 that helped 2.5 million people in the north (out of 22 million) become literate in the first year alone. “Eradicating illiteracy is the first step to build up people’s educational level, which will help accelerate economic recovery and the development of democracy,” he said.36 Vietnam today has one of the highest literacy rates in the world.

Vietnam today has one of the highest literacy rate in the world.

Photo: thoibaotaichinhvietnam.vn

36

Ho Chi Minh Collection 10 (1956): 458.

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5. Ho Chi Minh introduced the word “feminism” to Vietnam in 1926.

Many would be astonished to learn that Ho Chi Minh was the first person who brought the word “feminism” (nữ quyền) to Vietnam in 1926. Citing the heroic story of the Trưng Sisters, he wrote: “That was in a feudal period, and women already knew how to have a revolution. Now that the word “feminism” has already been thunderous everywhere in the world, our sisters once again see the declining of our nation, you would not have the heart to sit still! Dear sisters! Hurry up and unite!”37 Ho Chi Minh reminded the women of Vietnam about the feudal oppression and encouraged them to stand up for their rights: “Confucius said: The husband has to teach the wife… In Annam, we say: Women are supposed to be in the kitchen… In the family and in society, women are put in very low places, and they don’t have any rights. Dear sisters, why do you have to accept this oppression and injustice?”38 In 1925, he described in “French Colonialism on Trial” how women in Vietnam were treated under French colonial rule: “Nowhere is [the Vietnamese woman] secure from [French] brutality. In her home, at the market or in the countryside, everywhere she is exposed to illtreatment from the administrator, the officer, the policeman, the customs officer, the station employee.”39 With over thirty years of overseas exposure to many different cultures and political systems, Ho Chi Minh spent much of his life raising feminist consciousness in Vietnam, passing legislation to protect women from domestic violence, arranged and under-age marriages, and unequal treatment. He called for strict enforcement in cases involving domestic violence and advocated for women’s equality. This meant reducing the family burden of cooking, cleaning and full-time caring for children; educating and promoting family happiness; and monogamous marriages based on true love and free will. He was renowned for promoting women to leadership positions and ensuring gender parity in representation in all areas, including high-level delegations.

Ho Chi Minh Collection 2 (1926): 520-521.

Ho Chi Minh Collection 2 (1926): 512.

39 Ho Chi Minh Collection 2 (1925): 114.

37 38

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Ho Chi Minh also supported women’s interests around the world.

He communicated with women in France and in the United States to share his sympathy with the mothers who had sons killed or injured in Vietnam. He wrote to French women in 1946: While a French mother mourned the loss of her son, many more Vietnamese mothers mourned the loss of their children and felt anguished for their home being destroyed.

I have to tell you that, for every French person who dies, there are at least 10 Vietnamese people who lost their lives, for a simple reason that the French have airplanes, navy ships and modern weapons, while the Vietnamese don’t have those.

We need to stop this brother-killing-brother situation! The Vietnamese and the French peoples pursue the same ideals: liberty, equality and fraternity. We have the same objective of a democratic system. We need to support each other.40

Ho Chi Minh receiving the French Peace Movement delegation visiting Vietnam, March 15, 1955. Photo: hochiminh.vn 40

Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1946): 348.

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Below is an excerpt of his testimony. … [T]he general public did not know most of the material that was disclosed in the Pentagon Papers. … Vietnam was a colony ruled by the French. But now the war is over and the Japanese have been defeated, the Germans have been defeated, and Roosevelt and Churchill meet in the middle of the Atlantic in 1941 and they produced something called the Atlantic Charter.

The Atlantic Charter is a joint declaration between American President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1941. Its goals inspired worldwide decolonization movements after the World War II. Photo: United States Department of State.

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In the Atlantic Charter, Roosevelt and Churchill said when this war is over, those people who were controlled by foreign powers are going to be free. That's what the charter said. It was a promise of freedom to people who are run by colonial powers. So when 1945 came, the people of Vietnam said to the world that “we are going to take the Atlantic Charter, what Roosevelt and Churchill said, at face value. We want our freedom from the French.”

The trouble was at that particular point, the United States, with England, with France, with Nationalist China, because Chiang Kaishek was in power in China, all four of those governments collaborated to give Vietnam back to the French because the French were out of it as a result of the war. There had been an independent movement that grew up in Vietnam during World War II [led by] Ho Chi Minh.

Zinn continued: Ho Chi Minh was two things. He was a Communist and he was a Nationalist. He wanted independence and he led this great movement of people. Some of them were Communists. Most of them were not. But they all wanted independence from France. Ho Chi Minh wrote -- and this is in the Pentagon Papers -- Ho Chi Minh wrote many letters to Harry Truman. Roosevelt died in the spring of '45. Truman took his place, and Ho Chi Minh, at the end of 1945, wrote -- I counted in the Pentagon Papers 14 communications from Ho Chi Minh to President Truman -- saying, “Remember the pledge of the Atlantic Charter. You promised us our independence. We want it now. Keep the French out.”

Zinn then revealed what happened with all these letters.

According to the Pentagon Papers, not one of those communications was answered.

No answer.

That told the story. The United States set out, starting in 1945 slowly, but more and more firmly, to put the French back into power in Vietnam, and the British collaborated.

CHAPTER 2 ____________________ MESSAGES OF HO CHI MINH TO THE UNITED STATES, OTHER MAJOR POWERS AND THE UNITED NATIONS

Introduction This special collection will show that Ho Chi Minh had reached out to the United States as early as 1919, during the Paris Peace Conference. He sent a letter addressed Secretary of State Robert Lansing in the hope that it would reach President Woodrow Wilson.

The enclosed document entitled “The Claims of the Annamese People,” petitioned the Allied Powers to recognize the civil rights of the Vietnamese people under the French colonial regime. His message was ignored, an act which had implications for conflicts that would happen decades later.

Ho Chi Minh continued to reach out to the Western Allies – particularly the United States – during and immediately after the Second World War in an effort to secure international recognition of Vietnam as an independent country. As mentioned earlier, Ho Chi Minh worked closely with the O.S.S. in 1945 to liberate Vietnam from the Japanese occupation forces.

Ho Chi Minh wrote to his American contacts in Vietnam – O.S.S. officers – as early as May 1945 describing their partnership in fighting against Japan. He sent two messages in August 1945: one letter to O.S.S. officer Charles Fenn, and another to O.S.S. headquarters through Archimedes Patti to explain the role of the Viet Minh, Vietnam’s independence movement, and to appeal to the

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United States to request that the United Nations keep its promise of recognizing the independence of all nations. On August 30, 1945 – just three days before he read the Proclamation of Independence – Ho Chi Minh sent his first telegram to President Harry Truman, asking for the United States to open diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

In the following six months, Ho Chi Minh sent another nine telegrams and letters to Truman, three to Secretary of State James Byrnes, and two letters to all the Allied Nations, which included the United States. On October 23, Ho Chi Minh appealed via Radio Hanoi to President Truman, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, and French leader Charles de Gaulle and stated that the government “intended to hold a plebiscite to give a constitution to [Vietnam].”46 Ho Chi Minh, in particular, had hoped for Vietnam’s independence following Truman’s statement on America’s 12-point policy on foreign relations on October 29, 1945. Among its twelve principles, Truman’s policy stated the following: 1. We seek no territorial expansion or selfish advantage. We have no

2.

3.

4.

6.

46

plans for aggression against any other state, large or small. We have no objective which need clash with the peaceful aims of any other nation.

We believe in the eventual return of sovereign rights and self-government to all peoples who have been deprived of them by force.

We shall approve no territorial changes in any friendly part of the world unless they accord with the freely expressed wishes of the people concerned.

We believe that all peoples who are prepared for self-government should be permitted to choose their own form of government by their own freely expressed choice, without interference from any foreign source. That is true in Europe, in Asia, in Africa, as well as in the Western Hemisphere. …

We shall refuse to recognize any government imposed upon any nation by the force of any foreign power. …

The Pentagon Papers, Part I, C-60.

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LIST OF HO CHI MINH’S MESSAGES TO THE UNITED STATES, OTHER MAJOR POWERS, AND THE UNITED NATIONS

17 Letters and Telegrams from Ho Chi Minh to the United States, Other Major Powers, and the United Nations (1945-1946) 1. Letter to Lieutenant Charles Fenn of the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) August 1945 2. Wires to the O.S.S. Headquarter August 1945 3. Telegram to President Truman August 30, 1945 4. Letter to President Truman September 24, 1945 5. Letter to the U.S. President September 29, 1945 6. Telegram to President Truman October 17, 1945 7. Letter to the U.S. Secretary of State October 22, 1945 8. Letter to Secretary of State James Byrnes November 1, 1945 9. Letter to the U.S. President November 2, 1945 10. Letter to President Truman November 8, 1945 11. Letter to President Truman November 22, 1945 12. Telegram to the U.S. Secretary of State November 26, 1945 13. Letter to President Truman January 18, 1946 14. Letter to the President of the USA February 16, 1946 15. Diplomatic Note to the Governments of China, United States of America, Union of Socialist Soviet Republic, and Great Britain February 18, 1946 16. Telegram to President Truman February 28, 1946 17. Appeal to the United Nations 1946

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Two Messages from Ho Chi Minh to the United States and Other Major Powers (1945-1946). Note: Not written by Ho Chi Minh.

18. Radio Appeal to Truman, Attlee and de Gaulle October 23, 1945 19. Memorandum of Conversation with Ho Chi Minh by the U.S. First Secretary in Paris September 12, 1946

Five Letters to Other U.S. Presidents and One Letter to Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson 20. Letter to the U.S. Secretary of State June 18, 1919 21. Letter to President Eisenhower November 4, 1956 22. Letter to Mr. Kennedy, New President of the United States February 2, 1961 23. Letter to Heads of Certain Countries (including Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson) January 24, 1966 24. Letter replying to President Johnson February 15, 1967 25. Letter replying to President Nixon August 25, 1969

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1. Letter to Lieutenant Charles Fenn August 1945

Dear Lt. Fenn, The war [World War II] is finished. It is good for everybody [sic]. I feel only sorry that all our American friends have to leave us so soon. And their leaving this country means that relations between you and us be more difficult.

The war is [a win]. But we the small and subject countries have a share, very very small share, in the victory of freedom and democracy. Probably, if we want to get a sufficient share, we have still to fight. I believe that your sympathy [sic] and and the sympathy [sic] of the great American people will be always with us.

I also remain sure that sooner or later we will attain our aim, because it is just. And our country get independent. I am looking forward for the happy day of meeting you and our American friends when I can see you and our other American friend either in Indochina or in the USA! I wish you good luck and good health.

August 1945 C. M. HO

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 3 (1945): 592. Original text in English.

Charles Fenn was an O.S.S. officer who worked with Ho Chi Minh to rescue downed Allied pilots and send intelligence reports to the O.S.S. Ho Chi Minh wrote three other letters to Fenn and other O.S.S. officers in May, June and July 1945 (the May letter also addressed Bernard Fall), and one letter to Frank Tan with similar content above also in August 1945.

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Ho Chi Minh and the O.S.S. collaborated to fight against Japan in 1945.

Photo: Vietnam Historical Museum.

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4. Letter to President Truman September 24, 1945

The President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Vietnam To the President of the United States, Washington We respectfully inform you the following measures of the British General Army implemented in South Vietnam: First, to ban the media; Second, to hand in weapons and ammunition to French people; Third, to confiscate weapons from Vietnamese police force.

These measures are in violation of the natural rights of the Vietnamese people, directly threatening domestic security, and they are a factor causing instability in Southeast Asia.

Our Provisional Government of Democratic Republic of Vietnam strongly condemns this and requests your intervention with the British authorities to remove the above measures.

We will appreciate your help in persuading the British to uphold the principles of freedom and self-determination as stated in the Atlantic Charter.

Respectfully, HO CHI MINH

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1945): 27. Original text in English. Unofficial translation.

This is the first message Ho Chi Minh sent to President Truman as President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It was sent through General Philip Gallagher, head of United States military mission in Hanoi.

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6. Telegram to President Truman October 17, 1945

The White House, Washington Hanoi, via Kunming, October 17, 1945

M. Ho Chi Minh, President of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam To President Truman, Washington Establishment of advisory commission for the Far East is heartily welcomed by Vietnamese people in principle. Taking into consideration primo the strategical and economical importance of Vietnam Secundo the earnest desire which Vietnam deeply feels and has unanimous manifested to cooperate with the other democracies in the establishment and consolidation of world peace and prosperity we wish to call the attention of the Allied Nations on the following points: First, Absence of Vietnam and presence of France in the advisory commission leads to the conclusion that France is to represent the Vietnamese people at the commission. Such representation in groundless either de jure or de facto. De Jure no allegiance exists any more between France and Vietnam: Bao Dai abolished treaties of 1884 and 1863, Bao Dai voluntarily abdicated to hand over government to democratic republican government, Provisional government rectorated [sic] abolishment of treaties of 1884 and 1863. De Facto since March ninth France having handed over governing rule to Japan has broken all the administrative links with Vietnam, since August 18, 1945, Provisional government has been a de facto independent government in every respect, recent incidents in Saigon instigated by the French roused unanimous disapproval leading to fight for independence.

Second, France is not entitled because she had ignominiously sold Indo China to Japan and betrayed the allies. Third Vietnam is qualified by Atlantic Charter and subsequently peace agreement and

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by her goodwill and her unflinching stand for democracy to be represented at the Advisory Commission. We are convinced that Vietnam at Commission will be able to bring effective contribution to solution of pending problems in Far East whereas her absence would bring forth unstability [sic] and temporary character to solutions otherwise reached. Therefore we express earnest request to take part in advisory commission for Far East. We should be very grateful to your Excellency and Premier Attlee Premier Stalin Generalissimo [Chiang Kai-shek] for the conveyance of our Desiderata to the United Nations.

Respectfully, HO CHI MINH

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1945): 60-61, and The Pentagon Papers, Part I, C-73, 74. Original text in English.

Bảo Đại was the Emperor of Vietnam at the time. He abdicated in 1945, then was reinstated by France in South Vietnam.

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7. Letter to the U.S. Secretary of State October 22, 1945 Hanoi, October 22, 1945 The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to the Secretary of State Department, Washington, D.C. Excellency, The situation in South Vietnam has reached its critical stage, and calls for immediate interference on the part of the United Nations. I wish by the present letter to bring your Excellency some more light on the case of Vietnam which has come for the last three weeks into the international limelight.

First of all, I beg to forward to your Government a few documentary data, among which our Declaration of Independence, the Imperial Rescript of Ex-Emperor Bao Dai on the occasion of his abdication, the declaration of our Government concerning its general foreign policy and a note defining our position towards the South Vietnam incident.

As those documents will show your Excellency, the Vietnamese people has known during the last few years an evolution which naturally brings the Vietnamese nation to its present situation. After 80 years of French oppression and unsuccessful though obstinate Vietnamese resistance, we at last saw France defeated in Europe, then her betrayal of the Allies successively on behalf of Germany and of Japan. Though the odds were at that time against the Allies, the Vietnamese, leaving aside all differences in political opinion, united in the Vietminh League and started on a ruthless fight against the Japanese. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Charter was concluded, defining the war aims of the Allies and laying the foundation of peace-work. The noble principles of international justice and equality of status laid down in that charter strongly appealed to the Vietnamese and contributed in making of the Vietminh resistance in

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the war zone a nation-wide anti-Japanese movement which found a powerful echo in the democratic aspirations of the people. The Atlantic Charter was looked upon as the foundation of a future Vietnam. A nation-building program was drafted which was later found in keeping with San Francisco Charter and which has been fully carried out these last years: continuous fight against the Japanese bringing about the recovery of national independence on August 19th, voluntary abdication of Ex-Emperor Bao Dai, establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, assistance given to the Allied Nations in the disarmament of the Japanese, appointment of a provisional Government whose mission was to carry out the Atlantic Charter and San Francisco Charters and have them carried out by other nations.

As a matter of fact, the carrying out of the Atlantic and San Francisco Charters implies the eradication of imperialism and all forms of colonial oppression. This was unfortunately contrary to the interests of some Frenchmen, and France, to whom the colonialists have long concealed the truth on Indochina, instead of entering into peaceful negotiations, resorted to an aggressive invasion, with all the means at the command of a modern nation. Moreover, having persuaded the British that the Vietnamese are wishing for a return of the French rule, they obtained, first from the British command in Southeast Asia, then from London, a tacit recognition of their sovereignty and administrative responsibility as far as South Vietnam is concerned. The British gave to understand that they had agreed to this on the ground that the re-establishment of French administration and, consequently, of Franco–Vietnamese collaboration would help them to speed up the demobilization and the disarmament of the Japanese. But subsequent events will prove the fallacy of the argument. The whole Vietnamese nation rose up as one man against French aggression. The first street-sniping which was launched by the French in the wee hours of September 23rd soon developed into real and organized warfare in which losses are heavy on both sides. The French brought along important reinforcements for the strongest of their remaining warships that

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will extend the war zone further. As murderous fighting is still going on in Indonesia, and as savage acts on the part of Frenchmen are reported every day, we may expect the flaring up of a general conflagration in the Far-East.

As it is, the situation in South Vietnam calls for immediate interference. The establishment of the Consultative Commission for the Far-East has been enthusiastically welcomed here as the first effective step towards a just settlement of the pending problems.

The people of Vietnam, which only asks for full independence and for the respect of truth and justice, puts before your Excellency our following demands: 1 – the South Vietnam incident should be discussed at the first meeting of the Consultative Commission for the Far-East; 2 – Vietnamese delegates should be admitted to state the views of the Vietnamese Government; 3 – an Inquiry Commission should be sent to South Vietnam; 4 – the full independence of Vietnam should be recognized by the United Nations.

I avail myself of this opportunity to send your Excellency my best wishes.

Respectfully, President Ho Chi Minh

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1945): 80-83, and The Pentagon Papers, Part I, C-80, 81. Original text in English.

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17. Appeal to the United Nations Late 1946 To: The Great Britain, China, the United States, the U.S.S.R. and other members of the United Nations 1. In more than a month, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is put in an armed conflict caused by the French forces, the forces warmly received on this land when they came to disarm the Japanese army.

The Government of Vietnam has presented with the Government of France many solutions to achieve a peaceful solution. But until now, these proposals have not produced any result.

Every day, the French ground, navy and air forces destroy cities and villages in Vietnam, killing Vietnamese civilians with aircrafts and tanks ready to shoot. Many reinforcement troops continue to land on the soil of Vietnam.

In this invasion which we are the victims, besides causing deaths and destruction in our country, it also threatens world peace in the Far East region.

I have the responsibility on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to request Great Britain, China, the United States, the U.S.S.R. and other Allied countries to present to the United Nations about the conflict and to expose the cause and responsibility of this conflict.

2. In the last world war, when the Government of France bestowed Indochina to Japan and collaborated with them against the Allies, the Vietnamese people have stood side by side with the Allies and ceaselessly fought against the hostile forces.

When the Japanese army was forced to surrender in August 1945, the Vietnamese people from North to South regained their government, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was announced to be established on September 2, 1945. A National

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Assembly was elected by a voting election to ensure for the country a democratic Constitution.

We have enacted citizen rights according to the articles by the Allies.

3. However, on September 23, 1945, the French troops defeated by Japan since March 9, 1945 returned, hiding behind the British troops in the name of the Allied troops to disarm the Japanese troops. The French troops have gradually retaken Cochinchina, reimposing the previous exploitative colonial system, and war broke out.

4. With the goodwill of peace, our Government has agreed to sign an Accord with France on March 6, 1946. According to this accord, we accepted to cooperate with France in a Federal Indochina framework. This is because, once more, we think we admire and have a deep love for the French people.

Also according to this accord, France recognized our Republic as a free country, and agreed that the return of Cochichina will be decided by a referendum [of the Vietnamese people.]

5. However, after the accord was signed, the representatives of France in Indochina quickly tried an ugly scheme. They escalated attacks on positions in Vietnam, formed the Republic of Cochichina with a puppet-agent government, continued to terrorize Vietnamese patriots, sabotaged the Fountainebleau Conference – the conference to resolve final [issues] for relations between France and Vietnam.

With this ugly scheme, France-Vietnam relations can be broken immediately.

6. Once more, we affirm our desire for peace by accepting the accord of September 14, 1946, with a crucial aim to protect the economic and cultural benefits of France in Vietnam.

But once again, the lack of goodwill of the representatives of France in Indochina was shown by the measures to remove favourable opportunities for Vietnam, especially on taxes and international trade.

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These measures including a blockade of Hai Phong Port, occupying Lang Son and other locations are the reasons that caused the current conflict, with responsibility belonging entirely to the French people.

7. Being the victim of a deliberate invasion, we have to defend ourselves against an opponent who is implementing the method of a total war such as the brutal shooting at villages and civilians.

After conflict occurred, our Government is still trying to contact the Government of France, and repeatedly appealed for peace to the Government of France. However, our appeals did not receive any reply.

These are facts of what happened.

8. We solemnly announce that our people honestly want peace. But our people are also committed to fight until the end to defend our most sacred rights: Full sovereignty for our Fatherland and independence for our country.

At the same time, in our foreign policy, the Vietnamese people will comply with the following principles: 1- With Laos and Cambodia, the country of Vietnam respects the independence of these two countries and expresses our desire to cooperate on the basis of absolute equality among sovereign countries.

2- With democratic countries, the country of Vietnam is willing to implement an open-door and cooperation policy in all aspects: a) The country of Vietnam has favourable reception of investment of foreign capitalists and technologists in all technical sectors. b) The country of Vietnam is willing to expand all ports, airports and roads of transportation for commerce and international transit. c) The country of Vietnam accepts participation in all international organizations of economic cooperation under the leadership of the United Nations.

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d) The country of Vietnam is willing to sign with ground and navy forces in the framework of the United Nations special security accords and the agreements related to the use of some navy and air bases.

9. The Government of Vietnam also has the open-door and cooperation policy above with the country of France as stated in the accord of March 6, 1946. However, the representatives of France in Indochina have been trying to destroy our hope to establish the above policy in Vietnam. The previous oppressive and monopoly system is a danger not only for the Vietnamese people but also for democratic countries, because their economic benefits are taken away and their rights are not protected.

In the struggle for our sacred rights, the Vietnamese people have a deep belief that they also struggle for a common cause: The good development of sources of economic benefits and an effective organization for security in the Far East.

It is precisely in this spirit that our Government present to the Security Council the current conflict, and request the Council to kindly accept the points we presented above to restore peace in this part of the world, so that the Atlantic Charter is respected and to return the basic rights of Vietnam to be recognized for national independence and unified sovereignty.

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1946): 520-524. Original text in French. Unofficial translation.

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23. Letter to Heads of Certain Countries (including Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson) January 24, 1966 Your Excellency, I respectfully bring to your attention the war of aggression committed by the U.S. imperialists against our country Vietnam.

As you know well, for more than 11 years, the U.S. imperialists have blatantly sabotaged the 1954 Geneva Accords, preventing the cause for peace and unification of Vietnam, conspiring to transform South Vietnam into an American neo-colony and an American military base. At this time, the U.S. imperialists are escalating a war of aggression, brutally suppressing our compatriots in the South. At the same time, they aim to use the experience of this war to suppress the national liberation movement in other areas.

Hoping to save their worsening troubles in South Vietnam, the U.S. imperialists impetuously brought in American soldiers and soldiers of the satellite countries to directly invade South Vietnam.

They also used the air force to bomb the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, an independent and sovereign country and a member of the socialist bloc.

The U.S. imperialists intensified and expanded the war of aggression in Vietnam on the one hand, and on the other expressed “peace and goodwill,” “willingness for unconditional negotiations,” aiming to mislead the world and American public opinion. Recently, the Johnson Government started the supposed “quest for peace” and made a 14-point proposal. They used the excuse for their war of aggression in the South to “keep their promise” with their puppets in Saigon and insulted the patriotic struggle of the people in South Vietnam as “the invasion of North Vietnam.” This deception cannot eliminate the official statement of the U.S. at Geneva in 1954. This statement says that the U.S. “will not violate the Geneva Accords with threats or force.” President Johnson’s deception, moreover, cannot hide the crimes committed by the U.S. in Vietnam.

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The U.S. said it respects the Geneva Accords. However, one of the most important articles of the Accords is the prohibition of bringing outside troops into Vietnam. If it truly respects the Accords, the U.S. must withdraw the American and satellite troops from South Vietnam.

Clearly, the U.S. imperialists are the aggressors who are invading the country of Vietnam. The Vietnamese people are being invaded, and they are forced to fight in self-defence. If the U.S. truly wants peace, it must recognize the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam as the only genuine representative of the South Vietnamese people, and it must negotiate with the National Liberation Front. According to the wishes of the South Vietnamese people and the words of the 1954 Geneva Accords, the National Liberation Front is in a struggle for the cause of independence, democracy, peace, and neutrality in South Vietnam, working towards peace and unification of the Fatherland. If the U.S. truly respects the right of the South Vietnamese people to selfdetermination, it cannot refuse this rightful platform of the National Liberation Front.

The true nature of the U.S. 14 points is that the U.S. wants to hold on to South Vietnam, to support the puppet government that the U.S. has sustained in South Vietnam, seeking to divide our country Vietnam permanently.

In his statement to the U.S. Congress on January 12, 1966, President Johnson affirmed that the U.S. policy is not to withdraw from South Vietnam, and demanded that the Vietnamese people had to “choose between peace or destruction.” This is a blatant threat forcing the Vietnamese people to accept the terms of the supposed “unconditional negotiations” of the U.S. The Vietnamese people will never surrender to the threat of the U.S. imperialists.

While the U.S. Government proposes the supposed “peace efforts,” it seeks to bolster U.S. troops in South Vietnam. The raiders march ahead, using “scorched Earth” methods to burn all, destroy all, kill all, using napalm bombs, poison gas and toxic

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chemicals to plunder villages and to massacre civillians on a large scale in South Vietnam.

I vehemently oppose these very brutal war tactics by the U.S. I summon all peace-loving governments and peoples around the world to put a stop to the U.S. war criminals.

The U.S. continues to fly reconnaisance aircraft to plan new bombings on the country of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

On the other hand, the U.S. has flown airplanes to bomb many areas in the Kingdom of Laos, thus peace in Indochina is increasingly threatened.

Clearly, the U.S. “quest for peace” effort only aims to hide the scheme of escalating the war of aggression. The position of the Johnson Government is still aggression and expanding wars.

To solve the question of Vietnam, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam has put forward the four-point stand, reflecting the important articles of the 1954 Geneva Accords.

This is a peaceful stand.

Having experienced more than 20 years of war, the Vietnamese people eagerly want peace for national construction. However, genuine peace cannot be separated from real independence. As long as the U.S. invasion troops remain in our country, our people are determined to fight against them. If the U.S. Government truly wants to have peace, they must accept the four-point stand of the DRV Government and prove this by actual deeds; it must end unconditionally and for good all bombing raids and other acts of war against the DRV. Only then a political settlement of the Vietnam problem can be envisaged.

Your Excellency, Canada is a member of the International Commission for Supervision and Control for the Implementation of the 1954 Geneva Agreement on Vietnam. In face of extremely serious situation brought about by the U.S.A. in Vietnam, I hope that your Government will fulfill its obligation under the Geneva agreements.*

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On this occasion, I would like to send Your Excellency my highest regards.

Hanoi, January 24, 1966 President Democratic Republic of Vietnam HO CHI MINH

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 15 (1966): 31-35. Original text in English.

Unofficial translation.

The letter above was sent to the leaders of nations involved in the 1954 Geneva Accords and many other countries concerned about the situation in Vietnam. * This paragraph is from the Pentagon Papers (Part VI, C-1, Section 3.3, page 4), which indicates that the rest of the letter is the same and was sent as a standard letter to other capitals except for this paragraph.

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LIST OF SELECTED WORKS ON PEACE 1. Letter to Vietnamese Compatriots, French People, and People Around the World November 23, 1946 2. Reply to Ms. Chossi, French Women’s Association September 22, 1946 3. Statement to a Reporter of Paris-Saigon Paper December 13, 1946 4. Letter to Mr. Jean Sainteny February 24, 1947 5. Telegram to People Around the World May 1947 6. Letter to the French People, after an exchange meeting with Paul Mus, representative of French High Commissioner Emile Bollaert, February 24, 1947 7. Letter to Prime Minister Léon Blum June 10, 1947 8. Letter to the Vietnam–U.S. Friendship Association September 2, 1947 9. The State of the World May 27, 1948 10. Telegram to the French People on the Occasion of December 19, 1948 11. Interview with A. Steele, New York Herald Tribune Reporter October 13, 1949 12. Letter to French Women and Men Who Fight for Peace November 11, 1950 13. American People Are Against Wars July 19, 1951 14. The United States is Afraid of Peace June 21, 1952 15. French Youth Against the War in Vietnam October 1953 16. Interview with Indonesian News Agency of Antara May 14, 1954 17. Interview with Press Trust of India January 5, 1955 18. Interview with French News Agency A.F.P. July 25, 1956 19. Statement with Representatives of International Monitor and Control Committee Regarding the Geneva Accords in Vietnam February 3, 1958 20. Letter to the American People December 1961

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21. Telegram to the World Congress for Peace and Disarmament July 17, 1962 22. Letter to American Students August 1964 23. Letter of Reply to American Professor Linus Pauling November 17, 1965 24. Telegram Replying to Pope Paul VI February 14, 1967 25. Letter to American Anti-War Friends Against the Imperialist Invasion in Vietnam December 31, 1968

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1. Letter to Vietnamese Compatriots, French people, and People Around the World November 23, 1946 Dear Vietnamese compatriots, Dear French people and people around the world, Complying with the Government’s order, the Vietnamese people are willing to cooperate honestly with the French people.

Understanding the greater good, the French people also want to cooperate honestly with the Vietnamese people.

Respecting the signature [in the agreement], the Government of Vietnam made all efforts to implement a friendly environment.

Unfortunately, at a few places, such as in the south of the country of Vietnam, in Hai Phong and Lang Son, some French people do not know well the Vietnamese way of thinking, do not act according to the wishes of the French people, and thus have caused bloody conflicts between the two sides.

I pay my respects to the souls of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians, who have died for our Fatherland.

I also compassionately mourn the French people who have died.

Alas! In the name of humanity, French blood or Vietnamese blood is still blood. A French person or a Vietnamese person, both are human lives.

In the two world wars, France lost millions of people to fight the aggressors to reunify and regain independence.

France is thousands of miles away from Vietnam. An independent Vietnam would not affect France in any way; why would France want to prevent Vietnam [from having independence]? The Vietnamese people are willing to welcome and cooperate with French scholars, farmers, workers and merchants arriving in Vietnam to work with us. Appropriate financial and cultural benefits of the French people will be protected by Vietnam.

French people don’t want anyone to violate their sovereignty, then you also have to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty.

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The Government of Vietnam has signed the temporary agreement with the Government of France, and the Government and people of Vietnam are committed to complying with the agreement.

At the same time, the Government and people of France also have to comply with the agreement. This is for the benefit of both sides.

The Government and people of Vietnam are committed to honestly cooperating with the French people. However, we must safeguard the sovereignty of our Fatherland. If that requires the sacrifice of our lives, we are committed to doing so.

On behalf of the Government [of Vietnam], I appeal to compatriots across the country to be ready to comply with the Government’s order.

I also appeal to the French people here [in Vietnam] to stop provocative acts and honestly cooperate with Vietnam in an equal and friendly way. Enough Vietnamese blood and French blood has been shed. There should be no more. For what reason, for whose benefit, should the blood of a young French man – a youngster with a bright future ahead of him – be shed on the mountains and rivers of Vietnam? The Vietnamese and the French peoples believe in the values of: Freedom, Equality, Fraternity, and Independence.

The Vietnamese and the French peoples can and need to shake hands in the cause of equal and honest cooperation to build common happiness for both peoples.

This is the clear wish of Vietnam, and we would like the French people and peoples around the world to know.

HO CHI MINH

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1946): 510-511. Original text in French.

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21. Telegram to the World Congress for Peace and Disarmament July 17, 1962 Dear Professor John Bernal, (Please forward to the World Congress for Peace and Disarmament in Moscow) On behalf of the Vietnamese people and my personal behalf, I respectfully send my best wishes to the Congress and to you.

While the imperialists and colonialists are increasingly pursuing an arms race, getting ready for a new world war, a nuclear war, the Congress is meeting to demand peace and disarmament, which is one of the most important events in our era.

Only a strong unity of peace forces in the entire world with firm actions demanding disarmament and peace can defeat the wicked and criminal conspiracy of the warmongers.

The success of our unity against the risk of wars and protection of world peace is because of the agreement of the Congress.

At this time, in our South Vietnam, the U.S. imperialists and their puppets are carrying out a bloody war, conspiring to transform South Vietnam into an American neo-colony and an American military base in order to make wars in Indochina and in Southeast Asia.

Disarmament and preserving peace will help a great deal to make the movement of national liberation successful.

Our Vietnamese people pledge to support and implement the resolutions that the Congress passes.

I wish the Congress all the success.

Long live world peace!

HO CHI MINH

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 13 (1962): 409-410. Original text in English.

Unofficial translation.

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22. Letter to American Students August 1964 Dear R. A., C. U., and American Students, I have just received your letter (of May 15, 1964). It is regretful that I did not receive your recording tape.

I would like to thank you very much for your efforts in opposing the criminal war that the U.S. Government is carrying out in South Vietnam. On August 5, 1964, the U.S. Government used air strikes to destroy many areas in the North, with a plan to expand the dirty war to the North of our country.

In your letter, you said that considering the heaping crimes committed by the U.S. Government and the great pain of the people in South Vietnam, your activity has been too modest. I think that your objective of opposing wars, preserving peace is very admirable.

Although the movement can be small in the beginning, with time it will expand and increase. If you can unify the students in 225 American universities, this will be a very large force, and it will impact and attract the American people to fight for peace.

With regard to the brutal situation in South Vietnam caused by the U.S. Government and their puppets, I have provided a summary in the Minority of One newspaper (on May 21, 1964). You can use this article for information during your discussions with the people.

Although the U.S. Government was and is committing many crimes against the Vietnamese people, we are never confused between them and the American people who love peace and justice, whom we always respect.

With a persistent effort of the American people, especially American youth and students, combined with a heroic struggle of the Vietnamese people, I am confident that the American [reactionary] will be defeated, and the peoples of our two countries will prevail. When that time comes, the Vietnamese people and the American people will shake hands in peace and friendship.

I wish you all the success in your efforts.

HO CHI MINH Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 14 (1964): 375-376. Original text in English.

Unofficial translation.

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23. Letter of Reply to American Professor Linus Pauling November 17, 1965 Dear Professor Linus Pauling, I sincerely thank you for your thought of sending me the Appeal on the issue in Vietnam issued by eight Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Our Vietnamese people love freedom and peace. Our people’s sincere wish is to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic and prosperous country.

Our people, North and South, are making efforts to ensure that the 1954 Geneva Accords be implemented properly. However, the U.S. imperialists blatantly sabotaged this Accord, conspiring to transform South Vietnam into an American neo-colony and an American military base aiming to dominate Southeast Asia and prepare for a new world war. They sabotaged the cause of peace and unification of Vietnam, propped up a fascist regime that is extremely brutal in South Vietnam… … They are using our Southern compatriots’ lives to test a new type of war of aggression with modern weapons and means of warfare, then apply in other parts of the world, aiming to suppress the movement of national liberation and become a hegemony in the world. … At present, most barbarous means of warfare such as napalm bombs, phosphorous bombs, toxic chemicals, poison gas etc. are being used by the U.S. aggressors to massacre our compatriots in South Vietnam. … Clearly, the U.S. imperialists are the aggressors. The Vietnamese people are being invaded.

The U.S. invasion is the only root and direct cause of the current serious situation in Vietnam and in Southeast Asia. Therefore, we believe that the most correct way to peacefully resolve the issue of Vietnam is the position stated in the Statement on March 22, 1965 of South Vietnam National Liberation Front, the only genuine representative of South Vietnamese people and the four-point position of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The four points are:

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1. Recognition of the basic national rights of the Vietnamese people – peace, independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

According to the Geneva agreements, the U.S. Government must withdraw from South Vietnam the U.S. troops, military personnel, and weapons of all kinds, dismantle all U.S. military bases there, and cancel its military alliance with South Vietnam. It must end its policy of intervention and aggression in South Vietnam. According to the Geneva agreements, the U.S. Government must stop its acts of war against North Vietnam and completely cease all encroachments on the territory and sovereignty of the DRV. 2. Pending the peaceful reunification of Vietnam, while Vietnam is still temporarily divided into two zones, the military provisions of the 1954 Geneva agreements on Vietnam must be strictly respected.

The two zones must refrain from entering into any military alliance with foreign countries and there must be no foreign military bases, troops, or military personnel in their respective territory.

3. The internal affairs of South Vietnam must be settled by the South Vietnamese people themselves in accordance with the program of the NFLSV [National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam] without any foreign interference.

4. The peaceful reunification of Vietnam is to be settled by the Vietnamese people in both zones, without any foreign interference.

I hope that you and your colleagues, for peace and justice, will use your influence to continue your contribution together with the American people and peoples in the world to expose the conspiracy of invasion and war making by the U.S. imperialists, forcing them to end the criminal war against the people in our country and restore peace in Vietnam.

The war of aggression that the U.S. Government is carrying out in Vietnam has not only caused a lot of deaths and suffering, but also besmirches the honour and good name of the United States.

It is precisely for that reason that, recently, many liberal segments of the American population, hundreds of thousands of youngsters and students, thousands of professors, scientists, artists,

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religious people have courageously come out against the Johnson Administration’s war of aggression, expressing their resolute refusal to join the army and take part in the massacre of the Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese people highly value this struggle of the American people, and are deeply moved by the valiant sacrifices of Mrs. Helga Hertz and of the other fighters for peace, the late Mr. Norman Morrison, the late Mr. Roger Laporte and Mrs. Jankowski.

I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the American people who are resolutely struggling against the U.S. imperialists’ war of aggression in Viet Nam. I also wish to convey to the martyrs’ families the love and admiration of the Vietnamese people.

Please accept my high regards to you, dear Professor, and to your fellow recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ho Chi Minh

Photo: Pauling Blog.

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 14 (1965): 660-663, Original text in English.

Unofficial translation, and Pauling Blog, https://paulingblog.wordpress.com/tag/vietnam-war/ The four points stated in this letter to Linus Pauling, an American scientist and peace activist, were finally the main content of the 1973 Paris Peace Accords. Ho Chi Minh also sent Linus Pauling a telegram on May 27, 1967.

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24. Telegram Replying to Pope Paul VI February 14, 1967 Your Holiness: I wish to thank Your Holiness for the message of February 8, 1967.

In the message Your Holiness expressed the wish to see an early peaceful solution to the Vietnam question.

Our people sincerely love peace in order to build our country in independence and freedom. However, the U.S. imperialists have sent to South Vietnam half a million U.S. and satellite troops and used more than 600,000 puppet troops to wage a war against our people.

They have committed monstrous crimes. They have used the most barbarous arms such as napalm, chemical products and toxic gases, to massacre our compatriots and burn down our villages, pagodas, churches, hospitals, schools. Their acts of aggression have grossly violated the 1954 Geneva agreements on Vietnam and have seriously threatened peace in Asia and the world.

To defend their independence and peace the Vietnamese people are resolutely fighting against the aggressors. They are confident that justice will triumph. The U.S. imperialists must put an end to their aggression in Vietnam, end unconditionally and definitively the bombing and all other acts of war against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, withdraw from South Vietnam all American and satellite troops, recognize the South Vietnam National Front for Liberation and let the Vietnamese people settle themselves their own affairs. Only in such conditions can real peace be restored in Vietnam.

It is my hope that Your Holiness, in the name of humanity and justice, will use your high influence to urge that the U.S. Government respect the national rights of the Vietnamese people, namely peace, independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity as recognized by the 1954 Geneva agreements on Vietnam.

With my high regards, President, Democratic Republic of Vietnam HO CHI MINH Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 15 (1967): 297-298, and the U.S. Department of States, https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v05/d42. Original text in English.

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was under development, he embedded elements of The Claims of Annamese People – the list of demands he sent to the 1919 Versailles Peace Conference to recognize the civil rights of the Vietnamese people. In a speech in February 1957 at the first meeting of the Constitution Revision Committee, he said, “Our constitution must be one of a people’s democratic country with a socialist direction. It must be one that ensures the freedom of all classes of people … that truly ensures gender equality and ethnic equality.”65

LIST OF SELECTED WORKS ON DEMOCRACY 1. The Poem of the Claims of Việt Nam 1919 2. The Ten Policies of Viet Minh Poem, 1941 3. Urgent Tasks of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam September 3, 1945 4. The Government is the People’s Servant September 19, 1945 5. To Fight Illiteracy October 4, 1945 6. How to Win People’s Hearts October 12, 1945 7. Letter to People’s Committees in Regions, Provinces, Districts and Villages October 17, 1945 8. Letter to Compatriots of Ethnic Minorities December 1945 9. The Meaning of a General Election December 31, 1945 10. Speech at the Introduction Meeting of Electoral Candidates Organized at Vietnam School January 5, 1946 11. Appeal to the People to Vote January 5, 1946 12. Speech at the First Meeting of the Research Committee for National Development Planning January 11, 1946 13. Opening Remarks at the First Meeting of the First National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam March 2, 1946 65

Ho Chi Minh Collection 10 (1956): 456-457.

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14. A Talk with Representatives of the Intellectuals and the Economically Influential in Thanh Hóa Province February 20, 1947 15. Improve the Way We Work October 1947 16. Mobilizing the People October 15, 1947 17. “Freedom and Democracy” of Ngô Đình Diệm June 29, 1955 18. People’s Wish is Heaven’s Wish July 31, 1955 19. Letter of Reply to Secretary of State for External Affairs Lester Pearson November 17, 1955 20. Letter to Catholic Compatriots on Christmas 1955 December 24, 1955 21. We Must Respect People’s Opinions August 21, 1956 22. A Talk at the Class of Political Research II, Vietnam People’s University December 8, 1956 23. Opening Remarks at the First Meeting of the Committee of Constitution Revision February 27, 1957 24. Report on the Draft Revision of the Constitution at the 11th Meeting of the First National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam December 18, 1959 25. Overseas Vietnamese Return Home and the General Election April 25, 1964

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1. The Poem of Claims of Việt Nam (Vietnamese poetic version of The Claims of the Annamese People) 1919 It is now the time of gathering [Peace Conference in Versailles] The peoples from weak countries [colonies] feel happy.

It is because the Allied countries Use the sword of justice to eliminate the brutality.

A few times they have clearly claimed That all peoples will be allowed to enjoy equality.

Our Vietnam was once strong and glorious But now dominated and controlled by the invaders.

We sincerely plead that since we have been weakened Thus would like the powerful nations to consider the following.

1. To release our compatriots Who are imprisoned for political reasons.

2. To change the law To treat French and Vietnamese people equally.

3. To have access to education To develop technology and to learn industry and commerce 4. To be allowed to assemble and associate 5. To be allowed to have free speech 6. To be allowed to travel Anywhere in the four directions and five continents 7. To pass the constitution To have religious freedom 8. To have native representatives To be in France to represent the natives.

These are our 8 claims We hope nations to consider.

Especially we plead the French people who are fair To have empathy to act within their power.

France has been known for a long time Of equality and fraternity, more than anyone You wouldn’t have the heart to ignore us

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To let millions of people live in misery.

Our Vietnamese people are all dreaming of Having freedom for such a long time.

We plead the French people First, for your country’s reputation, then for justice I translate here to our language So that all our compatriots are aware of it.

It is fortunate that the peace is now possible Promoting justice, exposing brutality.

Now that people gather at the [peace] conference Happiness is for everyone.

The West is very happy Our Vietnam wouldn’t settle to be slaves. *** Let’s see clearly From Ireland, to India and Korea Before, they were weak and diminished Now, they are almost independent because their peoples are smart We the 20 million Vietnamese with a national soul Need to understand the situation and act Peoples can have equality and freedom Let’s look at ourselves and compare with others Those are some of my short words but with long meaning Have you seen through my heart?

Nguyễn Ái Quốc

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 1 (1919): 472-474. Original text in Vietnamese.

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Vietnamese poetic version of The Claims of the Annamese People.

Photo: chungta.com

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2. The Ten Policies of Viet Minh Poem. 1941 Our Vietnam’s independent coalition We have a program to fight Japan and France We are determined to make our country With the flag of independence, based on that to build equality To make us the descendants of Dragon and Fairy Our people must have our rights.

There are ten policies we design First to benefit the country, then to benefit the people.

All the land taxes and head taxes We eliminate all the taxes to relieve the people.

Freedom of association, religious freedom, freedom of press The right to assemble, to travel, all freedoms are granted.

Farmers have land and cows Have enough food and clothes, not to worry about poverty.

Labourers work hard And receive at least a living wage, working eight hours When people have unfortunate illnesses The Government will pay for all the treatment.

Business owners, small or large, We eliminate all licence taxes as they have long wished.

Government officials Receive good benefits that they deserve for their studies.

Soldiers with services to defend the country Receive good compensation and respect from the people.

The young have many schools The Government helps poor students.

Women are all free Men or women, they all have equal rights.

The disabled and elderly Are taken care of by the Government.

Parents don’t have to worry about children The Government will support them fully.

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In order for us to be able to do this First we need to unite.

From North to South Viet Minh needs to have tens of thousands of members.

Those who have labour, contribute labour Those with money, contribute money.

First for the country, second for our family That’s our cause, that’s our success.

We have Viet Nam With strong leadership for a common struggle.

Looking forward when we achieve our goal Our country Vietnam has a great name, with the glory of Dragon and Hùng King Please remember the word “common” Common hearts, common force, common souls, common goals.

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 3 (1941): 242-243. Original text in Vietnamese.

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3. Urgent Tasks of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam September 3, 1945 Dear Elders and Brothers, After 80 years of oppression and exploitation under the obscurant policy of the French colonialists, you and I are not accustomed to administrative capability.

However, this shouldn’t be our concern. We learn as we go, and we go as we learn. Certainly, we will make mistakes, but we will make corrections, and we’ll have the courage to correct our mistakes.

With strong patriotism and love for the people, I am certain we will succeed.

At this time, the following issues are most urgent. In my opinion, there are six issues: First, our people are starving – The French and Japanese kept rice in warehouses, and forced our compatriots to reduce rice-growing land to grow castor oil plants, jute, and other plants necessary for their wars. Furthermore, we also saw two plans of the French regime, with the objective to cause famine, to thwart the patriotic movement and force our compatriots to work as slaves.

More than two million of our compatriots have died of famine [in 1945] due to this brutal policy. Recently, floods destroyed eight provinces producing rice. This has made our circumstance direr.

Those who survived the famine are now starving. We have to make sure that they live.

I suggest that our Government mobilize a campaign to increase production.

While waiting for corn, cassava and yam, and other food supplements that take three to four months to become available, I suggest we start a collection. Every ten days, all compatriots will skip one meal. The rice we save will be used to distribute to the poor.

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Second, the problem of illiteracy – which is one of the cruel ways that the colonialists used to subjugate us. More than 90% of our compatriots are illiterate.

However, it takes only three months to learn to read and write our language using the alphabet. An ignorant people are a weak people. Therefore, I suggest we start a campaign to eliminate illiteracy.

Third – we were ruled by an autocratic monarchy, then by an autocratic colonialist regime. Thus, our country didn’t have a constitution, and our people didn’t enjoy their rights to freedom and democracy. We need to have a democratic constitution. I suggest that our Government organize A GENERAL ELECTION as soon as possible using a voting system. All male and female citizens over 18 years-old have the right to run and to vote, regardless if they are rich or poor, regardless of their religion, their background, etc.

Fourth – the colonialist system has poisoned us with alcohol and opium. It used all schemes to degenerate us with bad habits, laziness, dishonesty, larceny and others. We have an urgent task to re-educate our people. We have to make our people a brave, patriotic and hardworking people, a people deserving an independent Vietnam.

I suggest we start a campaign to re-educate the people by implementing: HARD WORK, THRIFT, HONESTY AND INTEGRITY. Five – personal tax, market tax, and boat tax were exploitative and immoral. I suggest the abolishment of these three taxes immediately.

Finally, I suggest strict prohibition of smoking opium.

Six – The colonialists and feudalists implemented a policy to divide Catholics and non-Catholics so as to oppress us more easily. I suggest that our Government make a statement of RELIGIOUS FREEDOM and unity for both.66

66

Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1945): 6-8. Original text in Vietnamese.

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HO CHI MINH

11. Appeal to the People to Vote January 5, 1946 Tomorrow is January 6, 1946.

Tomorrow is the day that leads our citizens to a new road.

Tomorrow is a happy day for our compatriots, because it is the day of the general election, because it is the first day in the history of Vietnam where our people begin to exercise our democratic rights.

Tomorrow, our citizens will let the soldiers in the south know that on the military front, soldiers use weapons to fight the enemy; on the political front, our people use the vote to fight the enemy.

Each vote has the same power as a bullet.

Tomorrow, our citizens will let the world know that our Vietnamese people have been: Determined to unite strongly, Determined to fight the colonialist, Determined to gain independence.

Tomorrow, our citizens will freely choose and vote for those who are qualified to represent us, and the carry out public work.

Tomorrow, the candidates are plentiful, but the elected will be fewer; this is just common sense, because some are elected and some are not.

Those who are elected will have to make efforts to keep the independence of our Fatherland, to bring about happiness for the people. They must always remember and practice the saying: For the country’s benefits, let go family’s benefits; for the collective benefits, let go personal benefits. They must work to deserve [the trust of] the people, of our Fatherland.

Those who were not elected should not be discouraged. You have shown your enthusiasm for the country, for the people, then you should always have this enthusiasm. Whether inside or outside the National Assembly, you can contribute to the country. This time you are not elected, and if you keep trying to let the people know your talent and your good heart, the next time the people will certainly vote for you.

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Tomorrow, all voters make sure to remember to go out to vote.

Tomorrow, each person should be happy in exercising the right of a citizen of an independent and free [country].

HO CHI MINH

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 4 (1945): 166-167. Original text in Vietnamese.

Ho Chi Minh encouraged Vietnamese citizens to vote. The print says, “I encourage male and female compatriots 18 years and above to vote for those deserving to be in our first National Assembly. January 6, 1946.”

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15. Improve the Way We Work October 1947 … We are determined to implement to following principles: 1. We must ask and discuss all issues with the people, and explain to the people.

2. Have faith in the people. Bring all issues to the people to discuss and find solutions. If we make mistakes, we need to admit it honestly and frankly to them. Any resolution where the people say is not appropriate, we will let them make recommendations to change.

We rely on the people’s opinions to improve our cadres and organizations.

3. Do not keep doing things the old way. Always follow the reality of the people. Depending on the level of awareness of the people and the willingness, organize them accordingly.

4. Be flexible in gathering people’s opinions rather than following everything people say, and turn it into ways to lead them. Use those ways for people to compare, examine, and solve problems…

5. “We need to bring politics into people’s cultural folklore.” Before, everything was “from the top down.” From now onward, everything must be “from the bottom up.” …

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 5 (1947): 337-338. Original text in Vietnamese.

Excerpt.

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19. Letter of Reply to Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs Lester Pearson November 17, 1955 Dear Secretary of State, Foreign media (November 7) reported: When visiting India and speaking of Vietnam, you said, “Being a member of the International Commission for Supervision and Control, Canada could recognize a general election in Vietnam only if Canada could be sure that this election would be as free as those in India and in Canada…”

First of all, our people would like to thank you for your concern about Vietnam. However, it is unfortunate that you did not say what free means in the Canadian way.

The Vietnamese people and our Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam advocate free elections as follows: - Free voting: All Vietnamese citizens, male or female over 18, regardless of class, ethnicity, religion, or political view, have the right to participate in the election, to freely vote for those they trust.

- Free standing for election: All Vietnamese citizens, male or female over 21, regardless of all as above, have the right to stand for election.

- Free campaigning: All Vietnamese citizens, regardless in the North or in the South, have the right to campaign throughout the country using meetings, flyers, newspapers, etc.

The government in the North and the government in the South have to ensure the rights and safety of all citizens with their activities in the general election.

- Voting method is fully equal, confidential and face-to-face. In short, the Vietnamese people and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam will ensure the general election nationwide (as stipulated in the Geneva Accords) are fully free and democratic, which is completely opposite of the rigged “referendum” by Ngô Đình Diệm.

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As such, is the above free election in the Canadian way? We look forward to you enlightening us.

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 10 (1955): 193-194. Original text in English.

Unofficial translation.

On January 6, 1946, the Vietnamese people across the country, for the first time in their lives, dressed up and went to polling stations to exercise their democratic rights and cast their ballots. Photo: The Voice of Vietnam.

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LIST OF SELECTED WORKS ON GENDER EQUALITY 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Women of the East May 1924 The Martyrdom of Native Women 1925 On Women: [Gender] Injustice April 4, 1926 Queen Trưng Trắc December 12, 1926 International Women 1927 Women Poem. September 1, 1941 Experience of Chinese Guerilla Fighting 1947 Experience of French Guerilla Fighting 1947 Letter to French Mothers and Wives Whose Sons and Husbands Died in Vietnam November 14, 1950 10. Equal Rights for Women and Men March 8, 1952 11. Vietnamese Women February 21, 1955 12. Speaking at a Conference for Cadres in the Department of Culture October 30, 1958 13. A Talk at a Cadres’ Meeting Debating the Draft Law on Marriage and the Family October 10, 1959 14. We Must Truly Respect Women’s Rights October 23, 1960 15. A Talk at the Third National Women’s Conference March 9, 1961 16. A Talk with the People and Cadres in Nghệ An Province December 9, 1961 17. A Talk with the People and Cadres in Thanh Hóa Province December 11, 1961 18. We Must Truly Ensure Women’s Rights December 28, 1962 19. Letter to American Women March 8, 1964 20. Speech at the Conference of Women Cadres in Mountain Areas March 19, 1964 21. Speech at the Award Gala of Women Achieving “Five Excellences” April 30, 1964 22. Speech at the Hanoi University of Education October 21, 1964 23. Speaking to Cadres in Hà Tây Province February 10, 1967 24. Speaking to Cadres in Thanh Hóa Provincial Party Committee December 30, 1968 25. I Devote My Whole Life for My Country July 14, 1969

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4. Queen Trưng Trắc December 12, 1926 Our Queen Trưng Trắc was born in the first century A.D. in the year 23 in Mê Linh district, Phúc Yên province, Tonkin area. In the year 40, she was 17 years-old. At that time, our country was under Chinese domination, their policy was very brutal like that of the French today. She saw that our nation was in decline, our people were miserable, thus she put aside her modest female status, standing up to save the nation and the people. Together with her younger sister Trưng Nhi, she built an army to fight against the invaders. The people in Cửu Chân, Nhật Nam, Hợp Phố were all enthused and participated in the uprising. In a short period of time, Tô Định was ousted, we gained control of 65 citadels, raising our flag of independence. Until the year 44, the Han Dynasty ordered Mă Viện to invade many times, but her army was still not losing. At the Battle of Cấm Khê, Vĩnh Yên province, her army was relatively much smaller, defeat was inevitable, both sisters jumped to Đáy river to end their lives. How courageous! Modest females sacrificed their lives for the country! Although it was only three to four years from 40 to 44, they made the foreign invaders frightened.

That was in a feudal period, and women already knew how to have a revolution. Now that the word “feminism” has already been thunderous everywhere in the world, our sisters once again see our nation declining, you would not have the heart to sit still! Dear sisters! Hurry up and unite!

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 2 (1926): 520-521. Original text in French.

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5. International Women in The Road to Revolution (1927) 1. Why establishing International Women?

Karl Marx said: “Social progress may be measured precisely by the social position of the fairer sex. Everyone who knows anything of history also knows that great social revolutions are impossible without the feminine ferment.”

Lenin said: “The revolution Party has to teach women who cook how to do public work; only then will the revolution be called successful.”

These words are not just words. Looking at the history of revolutionaries, there was not one without women’s participation.

The French revolution has women such as student Charlotte Corday… or Louise Mizen helping to organize Paris Commune…

The Russian revolution today has been successful so quickly and maintained so strongly also thanks to women’s contributions.

Therefore, for the international revolution to be successful, we must mobilize women workers and farmers in the countries.

Therefore, the Third International is organizing International Women.

2. What is the history of International Women?

In 1910, Clara Zetkin suggested in the Second International congress that: Every year, on March 8, we mobilize women and call it “Women’s Day.” After that day, change it to one week. The slogan of the week is: “Voting rights for women.”

In 1917, on February 23, women in Imperial Russia rose up “demanding bread for children” and “demanding husbands return to us” (because husbands had to join the army to fight.) This uprising set the fire for the Russian Revolution.

On March 8, 1920, Third International appointed Zetkin to organize International Women. The slogan is: “Women workers and farmers unite with Third International to carry out the international revolution.”

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HO CHI MINH

In 1923, Russian women celebrated “March 8” by opening 66 childcare centres, 36 kindergarten centres, 18 orphan houses, 22 hospitals and recovery centres, 15 maternal facilities, 15 common kitchens for 10,000 people, 27 cooperatives hiring 1,300 women, and 11 parks with facilities for the sick.

3. How is International Women organized?

The principle and program are in general the same as the Third International. However, this side is only responsible for raising awareness, organize and train women, and provide support to educate children of workers and farmers. … The Vietnamese revolution also needs to have women’s participation to be successful. To have a revolution, Vietnamese women would need to follow the advice of International Women.

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 2 (1927): 313-315. Original text in Vietnamese.

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6. Women Poem. September 1, 1941 Vietnam women have a long tradition Many have sacrificed their lives for our country.

For millions of springs, the reputation of Trưng Sisters Went forward to save the country and the people until the end.

Lady Triệu was very heroic Riding an elephant, fighting everywhere.

In recent years, the revolution is near Women are often participating.

Many times, they move forward to fight With a golden heart and an iron liver (loyal and courageous), no less than anyone (i.e. men) For example, Ms. Nguyễn Minh Khai Received death penalties twice, three times.

Now the opportunity is near, To fight the French and the Japanese to save our people and our country.

All women, from young to old Unite together to fight.

Let’s join Viet Minh in mass First to help our country, second to help ourselves.

Let’s make all peoples know our name Let’s prove it clear that we are descendants of Dragon and Fairy.

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 3 (1941): 239. Original text in Vietnamese.

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HO CHI MINH

The Dragon and Fairy legend says that Vietnamese people are descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy who together had 100 children. 50 children followed the father to settle in lowland and became Kinh, the ethnic majority, and 50 children followed the mother to highland and became other ethnic minorities. Vietnam currently has 54 groups of ethnic minorities, accounting for 15% of the total population.

Lady Triệu (225-248), a female warrior successfully resisted the Chinese occupation for a period of time, is also known as Vietnam’s Joan of Arc. She is the symbol of national defence and feminism with her famous quote: “I'd like to ride strong winds, stomp thunderous storms, kill sharks in the open sea, drive out the aggressors, reconquer the country, undo the ties of serfdom, and never bend my back to be a man’s concubine.”

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15. A Talk at the Third National Women Conference March 9, 1961 Dear Delegates, On the occasion of International Women’s Day and the Third National Women’s Conference, I sincerely send my best wishes to friendly delegations, delegates of the Conference, all women in the country, especially heroic women in the south, women in the big socialist family, and democratic and progressive women in the world. … I only have several short comments for the Conference to discuss.

1. Unity: Our women need to unite strongly with ethnic minority women, blue- and white-collar women, women in the North and the South. [We] need to unite with women of our side and progressive women in the world to fight for a common goal of world peace and socialism.

2. Ownership responsibility: Everyone and all women have to enthusiastically assume the responsibility of being the owner of our country, which means to emulate, to increase production, and practice thrift in order to build our country and socialism.

To fulfill this glorious responsibility, our women need to overcome the thinking of being inferior and of passively relying on others. You need to have the thinking of self-reliance and independence, to improve your knowledge of politics, culture, technology…

3. Childcare: For women to do well in production, we need to organize well childcare centres and kindergarten centres. At this time, some companies, factories and locals have organized this relatively well. The Women’s Union needs to disseminate these good experiences and support women in other places to do well…

4. Law on Marriage and Family: At this time, there are still people and locals violating the law. For example:

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HO CHI MINH

– Some men still treat their wife badly, and some people still force children to get married.

– Some bad people use the name of religion to undermine to right to free will marriages.

Facing such cases of lawbreaking, how do the local government, party branch and Youth Union respond? First, how do the Women’s Union respond?

From now, we need to raise awareness among the people widely and persistently; at the same time, strictly enforce the penalty on those who break the law.

5. Women’s leadership: Cadres who have made efforts need to make higher efforts, unite internally more strongly, learn even more, go in more details of production, have more empathy with the people, and try hard to support women to help them overcome their concerns and difficulties, to become models for them.

Male cadres at various levels and branches need to fully support women towards progress in all areas.

If you can do that, the women’s movement will continue to reach a higher level.

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 13 (1961): 58-61. Original text in Vietnamese.

Excerpt.

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25. I Devote My Whole Life for My Country An interview with Cuba’s Granma newspaper July 14, 1969 BUENOS DIAS. You would like to ask how I feel about the North and the South? I love our compatriots in the North the same way I love our compatriots in the South. I devote my whole life for my country. … The North has been liberated for 25 years, but during this whole time, the South does not enjoy even one day of peace.

In South Vietnam, those under 25 years do not know the meaning of freedom. … As you can see, although the war has been very brutal, the Vietnamese people are still advancing. This is difficult for many foreigners to understand, but the Cuban people can understand, because you are also victims of foreign aggression. Although having experienced embargo, the Cuban people are still advancing in production and in all areas.

Being a small and poor country struggling against a big and rich nation like the U.S., we still have unprecedented achievements even under the bombing of the Yankee invaders.

For instance, our women have made many significant achievements. Today, they hold many important leadership positions that they never had before. We can meet many women who are directors of cooperatives. Do you know, they work more effectively than men because some men tend to have parties after completing a task, sometimes spending more money than that they had made. Women don’t have that behaviour.

Please do not repeat what I have just said to the men, but it is true that the women are very effective in their work. …

Hasta la vista.

Source: Ho Chi Minh Collection 15 (1969): 675-676. Original text in Vietnamese.

Excerpt. Ho Chi Minh passed away 53 days later on September 2, 1969. The Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, and Vietnam reunified in 1976.

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