To the Vietnamese nation, President Ho Chi Minh represents more than a
great personality, great thinker and great career. His life marked the
glorious era of Ho Chi Minh, which was central to national development.
Furthermore, he left behind a historic testament.
His testament
is an invaluable historic document that summarises the quintessence of
his thoughts and his noble soul, and includes recommendations and deep
sentiments. It also gives voice to President Ho’s deep faith in the
entire Party, people and army, as well as generations of Vietnamese
people.
During the early days of the Vietnamese
revolution, despite facing a myriad of difficulties and hardships, the
Vietnamese people still firmly believed in the success of the revolution
and maintained their strong warrior spirit until the final victory.
This trust brought about a momentous spiritual energy
that led to the August Revolution, which successfully regained national
independence after nearly a century of French domination.
In September 1969, just when the anti-US resistance war was entering its
fiercest period, President Ho Chi Minh passed away. His testament, full
of love, recommendations, points of reference and forecasts for the
revolution, was read to a sea of silent grievers.
In
addition to his recommendations for the Party, army and people,
President Ho spoke of his absolute faith that “Even though our people’s
struggle against U.S. aggression, for national salvation, may have to go
through more hardships and sacrifices we are bound to win total
victory.”
He firmly believed that “No matter what
difficulties and hardships lie ahead, our people are sure of total
victory. The U.S. imperialists will certainly have to quit. Our Homeland
will certainly be reunified. Our fellow-countrymen in the South and in
the North will certainly be re-united under the same roof. We, a small
nation, will have earned the signal honour of defeating, through heroic
struggle, two big imperialisms – the French and the American-and of
making a worthy contribution to the world national liberation movement.”
His unwavering trust served as a spiritual pillar and core
factor consolidating the unyielding faith of the entire Party, army and
people in the inevitable success of the anti-US resistance and bringing
about national salvation and reunification. The northern and southern
people were once again united under one roof, just as President Ho
predicted in his testament.
A large part of his testament is
dedicated to his views and thoughts on solidarity. The testament made
public in 1969 comprises only 1,026 words, but 331 of which refer to
solidarity and unity in the Party. Confirming the importance of
solidarity, he urged “All comrades, from the Central Committee down to
the cells, must preserve the unity and oneness of mind in the Party as
the pupil of their eye.”
President Ho’s thoughts on solidarity
were not only entrenched in the Communist Party of Vietnam, but also
reached out to the international communist movement. He always placed
the Vietnamese revolution in the context of the global revolution
movement. At all times, he expressed his sentiments sincerely and deeply
to friendly parties, and did so with a sense of responsibility,
considering them part of his body.
In the end, Uncle Ho
expressed his most driving aspiration, purpose in life and lifetime
objectives which were for “the entire Party and people to unite to make
Vietnam a country of peace, unification, independence, democracy and
prosperity, thus significantly contributing to the global revolutionary
cause”.-VNA