Identifying and refuting distorted allegations about the life and career of Ho Chi Minh and the study and following of his thoughts, ethics, and style

DR. DINH QUANG THANH
Political Theory Journal,
Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

In fact, information about the biography, career, ideology, ethics and style of President Ho Chi Minh - Hero of national liberation, Outstanding cultural figure of Vietnam honored by UNESCO, can be found comprehensively and in detail in major works such as: Complete Works of Ho Chi Minh, 15 volumes; Complete Party Documents, from volume 1 to volume 30; in the series of Ho Chi Minh biography (including the summarized version), Ho Chi Minh biographical chronicle, etc., published by the National Political Publishing House and Political Theory Publishing House and reprinted many times; in Ho Chi Minh - a chronicle; Ho Chi Minh - A portrait of Lady Borton; “PRESIDENT HO CHI MINH, The Founder of Modern Vietnam - Thailand Relations”; Ho Chi Minh’s life by William J. Duiker; Ho by David Halberstam, etc. Additionally, each historical period of Ho Chi Minh’s life and career also appears in many monographs, books, and research articles published in journals, and scientific magazines by both domestic and foreign scientists and scholars. From Ho Chi Minh’s own writings and the results of in-depth or general research on Ho Chi Minh’s biography, career, ideology, ethics, and style that have been published, the following points are clear:

Firstly, in Ho Chi Minh’s biography and career, clearly state that he neither got married nor had children, contrary to rumors.

Secondly, there is fabricated claims that Nguyen Ai Quoc died in a Hong Kong prison. If one want to know whether Nguyen Ai Quoc died in prison in Hong Kong due to tuberculosis or if he was helped by lawyer Francis Henry Loseby, friends, and comrades to safely escape from the imperial prison to continue revolutionary activities and landed to Russia in the spring of 1934, etc. one can refer to Ho Chi Minh’s Biographical Chronicle, volume 2, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2016, from page 31 to page 52.

The claims infer and distort reality, professing that Ho Chi Minh was impersonated, or that he was a Chinese agent installed in Vietnam; “Ho acts the role of Quoc”, and only became the leader of Vietnam based on false information given by Hu Junxiong in the book Ho Chi Minh’s Life Review or extrapolated from the fact that he had his photo taken with the families of some leading comrades of the Communist Party of China, etc., as evidence to distort the truth.

Thirdly, regarding the distortion that “Prison Diary” is not written by Ho Chi Minh. To know whether Ho Chi Minh wrote the poems in the book titled Prison Diary or not, read the analyses of Ho Chi Minh’s poetry in general, and on Prison Diary in particular by Tran Huy Lieu, Hoai Thanh, Xuan Dieu, Dang Thai Mai, Hoang Trung Thong, Hoang Xuan Nhi, Vu Quan Phuong, Nguyen Dang Manh, Dang Anh Dao, Vu Khieu, Ha Minh Duc, Son Tung, Quach Mat Nhuoc, etc. Do not hastily distort and misrepresent based solely on the “diversion” dates (August 29, 1932 to September 10, 1933) on the cover of the Prison Diary intended to mislead the enemy. Furthermore, one cannot use doubts that Ho Chi Minh wrote the Prison Diary, to claim that Ho Chi Minh was not the founder of the newspaper “Independent Vietnam” and did not write many revolutionary propaganda articles published in this newspaper during the years 1941-1945.

Fourthly, Nguyen Ai Quoc, Loo Shing Yan, Chen Vang, Ly Thuy, Tong Van So, Lin, etc., were all names (pseudonyms) used by Ho Chi Minh, during his revolutionary activities, as well as the pseudonym H.C. M, X.Y.Z, A.G, Le Quyet Thang, CB, D.X, Nguyen Du Kich, etc., that Ho Chi Minh used for his journalistic work. Therefore, one cannot use these “Chinese-sounding” aliases to spread rumors that Ho Chi Minh was “Chinese” or “planted by China in the Communist Party of Vietnam to operate”. This interpretation is not only misleading but also a sinister trick to create doubts about Ho Chi Minh’s identity and career, to “trap” gullible people.

Fifthly, Ho Chi Minh was a studious person and studied foreign languages to serve the revolution. The fact that he learned French, Chinese, Russian, English, etc., and used those languages to write articles, compile poetry, communicate with comrades, colleagues and was a graduate student at the Institute of Research on Ethnicity and Colonial Affairs⁽¹⁾, etc., is well documented in the book Ho Chi Minh’s Biography (Political Theory Publishing House, Hanoi, 2006) and Research monographs on the Great Culturist Ho Chi Minh. Furthermore, it is not unfounded nor coincidental that UNESCO honored President Ho Chi Minh as a Hero of National Liberation and an Outstanding Culturist of Vietnam. The speculative information from hostile forces thus reveals itself to be inaccurate and lacking scientific basis.

Sixthly, the information that, before his death, President Ho Chi Minh “wanted to listen to a piece of Chinese music” and that the “female nurse” in his health care team “sang Chinese music” for him, is a fabrication and a distortion of the truth. Vietnamese authorities and press do not “twist” or distort the truth about such an event. Therefore, the tactic of spreading false information to create doubt and deceive people, aiming to crudely slander and insult President Ho Chi Minh is a preferred method of hostile forces.

2. Countering distortions about Ho Chi Minh’s career

The claim that Ho Chi Minh is a “national sinner” for importing “outdated Marxism - Leninism into Vietnam” is malicious slander. The history of the Vietnamese revolution and the modern world is full of information, arguments and scientific research at home and abroad (in-depth, specialized or general research works on Ho Chi Minh) widely published in newspapers, magazines, and books in Vietnam and many countries around the world; all of which acknowledge his role in the Vietnamese revolutionary path and the global national liberation movement.

In fact, Ho Chi Minh found the correct path for national salvation, integrating the Vietnamese revolution into the general flow of the world revolutionary movement, steadfastly pursuing the goal of national independence and socialism on the transitional journey to socialism. At the same time, he devoted his entire life to the struggle for “a free, unified and independent Vietnam, in which the working people control their own destiny”⁽²⁾ by creatively applying Marxism - Leninism to the specific conditions of Vietnam.

The claim that Marxism - Leninism “was rejected in its homeland” but was still “introduced” to Vietnam by Ho Chi Minh and that The Communist Party of Vietnam’s insistence on Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought as the ideological foundation and guideline principles is a “mistake” and “a disaster” for the Vietnamese people, leading the Vietnamese people to a “suffer through a 30-year civil war” and resulting in “perpetual poverty and underdevelopment”, is a blatant fabrication, and distortion by those who claim to support democracy, are “deluded by bourgeois democracy”, or are discontented with Vietnam’s steadfast path to socialism.

Reality shows that although the world has changed, the vitality and scientific value of Marxism - Leninism remain intact, even after the collapse of the socialist model in the Soviet Union and Eastern European socialist countries. The notion that this doctrine “has been rejected” is unfounded, and it is even more unfounded to say that Ho Chi Minh’s founding and training of the Communist Party of Vietnam-a new type of Marxist - Leninist party based on Marxist - Leninist theory-was “wrong”. The Communist Party of Vietnam’s steadfast adherence to Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology as the ideological foundation and guidelines for the Party’s actions is a crucial factor contributing to the victory of Vietnam’s revolutionary cause over the past 93 years. This is undeniable. This steadfastness has ensured the Party’s unity in thought and action, justifying its leadership and ruling position, rather than leading Vietnam into a “communist disaster with terrible consequences” as falsely claimed by hostile elements distorting the truth.

The history of the modern Vietnamese revolution records that: President Ho Chi Minh not only founded the Communist Party of Vietnam, built and consolidated the great national unity bloc, but also worked with the Party to formulate correct guidelines and policies that led the Vietnamese people to victory in the struggle for national independence (1930-1945); stayed steadfast in the goal of national independence and socialism, persistently waged the 30-year resistance war (1945-1975) that defeated the French colonialists and American imperialists, for a peaceful, independent, free, unified and sovereign Vietnam. Contrary to hostile forces’ accusations and attacks that Ho Chi Minh “caused the 30-year civil war”, the truth is:

The resistance war against French colonialism and American imperialism, under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Party, was a just struggle of the people of a nation who loved peace, freedom, and justice, and who refused to be enslaved; who could not bear to see their sacred homeland stained with the sweat, blood, and tears of countless generations of Vietnamese trampled upon by enemies.

It is impossible to call the resistance war to protect Vietnam’s beautiful mountains and rivers, by millions of patriotic Vietnamese people “a 30-year civil that devastated the country”, nor can one blame the Vietnamese people for their actions of waging a resistance war against the French colonialists and American imperialists on Ho Chi Minh, as if he “provoked and decided on war for the communists in the North to invade the South”. The burning desire to live in a peaceful, independent, free and unified Vietnam belonged to all Vietnamese patriots; Fighting for a unified Vietnam under the leadership of the Party, headed by President Ho Chi Minh, was the will and determination of the entire nation.

In any patriotic war, of any nation, losses are inevitable. Thus to live in independence, freedom, and peace, requires us to appreciate the struggle even more, the sacrifices of generations of ancestors, generations of officials, party members and people, rather than clinging to illusion of the zombie “Republic of Vietnam regime” to totally deny the great victory of two long resistance wars, as opportunistic and reactionary individuals do by selectively citing information based on personal agendas.

Devoting all his whole life to striving and sacrificing for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, the prosperity and happiness of the Vietnamese people, as well as fighting for the cause of national liberation, class liberation, and human liberation, Ho Chi Minh will forever be one of the greatest figures of our time. Struggling for half a century, he made the Vietnamese people’s liberation a symbol of freedom, justice, and peace worldwide, rather than someone who “fabricated morality” to “force the people to believe”. Furthermore, because of their love and respect, the Vietnamese people call him “Uncle Ho”, while ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands call him “Bok Ho/Father Ho”. These simple, endearing titles voluntary respect for the national leader, not because Ho Chi Minh “forced” people to call him “Uncle” after he first appeared to read the Declaration of Independence, which some falsely claim he “copied from the United States”.

Even though he has passed away, in the hearts of every patriotic Vietnamese and international friends, Ho Chi Minh is still honored not only as a great leader, but also “as a Great Marxist - Leninist thinker of the world. Comrade Ho Chi Minh was an important person who appeared at the right time, fulfilling the demands of history, with the right ideas and opinions. That’s the main reason why he makes history”⁽³⁾. Thus, it is not that the Communication and Education Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam “imitates the propaganda methods of China and other communist countries” to “deify” Ho Chi Minh and elevate him “to the status of a living saint and deity,” as hostile forces distort, but rather that he lives forever in the hearts of humanity.

3. Countering distorted allegations about the study and practice of Ho Chi Minh Thought, ethics, and style

No matter how hostile forces infer, fabricate, or distort Ho Chi Minh, the truth about him remains objectively, simply, purely, and beautifully great, just like he himself was. Although the world is still changing, his life, career, ideology, ethics, and style are still deeply ingrained in the minds of every Vietnamese person and international friends. Because even though he has passed away, Ho Chi Minh - “the great man who devoted his whole life to the cause of the nation, to the cause of liberation, progress and peace for people everywhere. He will live forever, immortal in the minds of mankind across centuries, as the highest symbol of devoted sacrifice and the tenacious fighting spirit”⁽⁴⁾. “Comrade Ho Chi Minh is a world leader at a time when human history is at its most revolutionary turning point. He is an architect and shaper of the world revolutionary process. He had an extremely insightful understanding of the direction and goals of that process. He clearly knew its driving forces and power”⁽⁵⁾.

Ho Chi Minh’s life, career, ideology, ethics, and style shine, illuminate, and accompany our nation on the journey to a bright future. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the entire Party, all the people, and the entire army implement Directive No. 23-CT/TW dated March 27, 2003 of the Secretariat on “Promoting research, communication, and education on Ho Chi Minh’s ideology in the new period”; Directive No. 03-CT/TW dated May 14, 2011 by the Politburo on “Continuing to promote the studying and following of Ho Chi Minh’s ethical example” and Directive No. 05-CT/TW dated May 15, 2016 by the Politburo on “Promoting studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style”; Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW dated May 18, 2021 by the Politburo on continuing to implement Directive No. 05-CT/TW dated May 15, 2016 of the XII Politburo on “Promoting learning and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style” (referred to as 3 Directives and 1 Conclusion) over the past two decades has been “just water on a taro leaf”, and “has brought no result” is really ridiculous.

In fact, researching, propagating, and educating about Ho Chi Minh Thought and studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style not only helps each cadre, party member, organization, locality, agency, unit and people of all walks of life to better understand the great Ho Chi Minh, but also contributes to equipping them with his system of viewpoints and revolutionary methods, making the study and following of him an effective, a self-motivated, and voluntary necessity.

Through studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics and style, each person improves their theoretical thinking capacity and working methods; enhances the spirit of independence, self-reliance, renovation and creativity; self-reflects, self-corrects and cultivates their ethics, conduct, and revolutionary qualities according to the ideology, ethics, and style of an exemplary communists. Additionally, it contributes to enhancing patriotism; The spirit and responsibility of serving the Fatherland, serving the people, making Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style continue to deeply permeate the spiritual life of our people. Therefore, studying and following the 3 Directives and 1 Conclusion mentioned above is not a task for a day or two but a regular, continuous, lifelong effort. It is not just contained within plans, programs, resolutions, directives, and conclusions “in words” or “on paper” as hostile forces distort, but has been and continues to be deeply implemented, in each party committee, organization, and among each cadre and party member.

In fact, this is not the first time hostile forces have taken advantage of the fact that a segment officials and party members have been disciplined by the Party and subjected for legal punishment for their corruption; utilizing the story of a deterioration in political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, manifestations of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” among some cadres and party members, etc., to distort the purpose, the content and meaning of the implementation of the above-mentioned Directives and Conclusion. However, claiming that the Communist Party of Vietnam has many plans, resolutions, directives, and conclusions for implementing the “learning and following of Uncle Ho”, but despite “many years of studying and implementation “, the situation of degradation in the Party is increasingly “going downhill”; or that “studying and following Uncle Ho is only done for the sake of reporting “ as “cadres and party members are still lapsing back into old ways”, etc., is actually just a short-sighted, reactionary deduction and accusations by hostile forces.

The results achieved from the implementation of these 3 Directives and 1 Conclusion are associated with the 6th Central Resolution (2nd time) dated February 2, 1999 of the Central Executive Committee on “Some basic and urgent issues in the current work of Party building”, Resolution by the 4th Central Committee on preventing and repelling the deterioration of political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, manifestations of “self-evolution”, “self-transformation” internally and Conclusion No. 21-KL/TW dated 25- 10-2021 by the Central Executive Committee on “Promoting Party building and rectification of the political system; Resolutely preventing, repelling, and strictly handling cadres and party members who degrade in political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, and manifestations of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” along with regulations on setting good examples by Regulation No. 37-QD/TW dated October 25, 2021 by the Central Executive Committee on “Things that party members cannot do”, etc., to prevent and combat signs of deterioration and negativity from the early stages and truly contribute to creating shifts in the awareness and actions of every party committee, as well as each cadre and party members; ensuring that our Party is clean, strong, and worthy of its pioneering role is completely correct and undeniable.

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Received: March 4, 2024; Revised: March 13, 2024; Approved for publication: March 22, 2024.

Endnotes:

(1) Ho Chi Minh’s biographical chronicle, vol.2, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2016, pp.67-68.

(2), (3), (5) The world praises and mourns President Ho Chi Minh, vol.I, Publishing House, Hanoi, 1970, pp. 19, 48, 78.

(4) The world praises and mourns President Ho Chi Minh, vol.II, ibid, Hanoi, 1970, p.44.