1930
Nguyen Ai Quoc (an alias of Ho Chi Minh) sent a letter to the Communist International’s Oriental Department, reporting activities of some Vietnamese revolutionaries. He also said that he had sent some of his articles to the department but they had not been published.
1945
President Ho Chi Minh wrote “The significance of the general election” in Cuu Quoc (National Salvation) magazine, saying: “The general election is an occasion for the public to freely elect persons with talent and virtue as Government members. Any citizen who is willing to take on national affairs can run in the election.
"Candidates can be male or female, rich or poor, religious or non-religious, from any ethnic background, and from any political party. Therefore, the general election means freedom, equality, democracy, and solidarity. I hope everyone will actively take part in it.”
The same day the President wrote “The world and Vietnam” highlighting the points of view of powerful countries like China, the US, Soviet Russia, and the UK, about Vietnam’s revolution. He also commented on the outcome of the conference on Far East issues between the Soviet Union, the UK, and the US.
He concluded: “If we remain strong and determined in building our force and fighting the enemy, then the world will have to recognize our total independence.”
The same day he also signed several important decrees, including one to designate Bui Bang Doan, a former senior official of the Hanoi Appellate Court, and Agriculture Minister Cu Huy Can as members of the Special Inspection Committee tasked with investigating government officials’ wrongdoings.
1954
On the last day of the first year of the liberated capital, the President laid a wreath at the Martyr’s Monument in Hanoi, where a memorial ceremony was held to commemorate those who fell for the Fatherland.
Speaking at the event, he said: “Dear souls of the deceased combatants! Tomorrow, the New Year’s first day, is the day a year ago when the people and soldiers welcomed the Government and soldiers entered the capital. While welcoming in the New Year, everyone remembers the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country and people… Their blood has dyed the country’s flag red and their good fame and reputation will forever be a part of the nation’s history.”
1958
While speaking to teachers and students at the Chu Van An School in Hanoi, the President said: “A socialist school is one where learning goes hand in hand with practicing, and diligence goes along with thrift. To realize socialism, there must be socialists, and to have socialists, there must be socialist ideology. Socialism is in total opposition to individualism, so whatever does not belong to the former will belong to the latter.”
1959
Speaking at the 11th session of the first National Assembly, where the revised Constitution was passed, the President said: “Tomorrow marks the start of the New Year and also the day our people have a new Constitution. The New Year will open a new era in which our struggle for the country’s unification and our building of socialism are sped up…
The head of the NA Standing Committee, Ton Duc Thang, said: “Tomorrow is the day President Ho Chi Minh announces the new Constitution. The year 1960 marks the 15th anniversary of the Democratic Socialist of Vietnam, the 30th anniversary of the Party, and the 70th birthday of the President. The Party’s history and the President’s biography cannot be separated.”
The President embraced and kissed his comrade Thang at the session, a touching moment as the year was wrapping up.
By Duong Trung Quoc* and his assistants
*The author is a historian and member of the National Assembly
