Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee: 'The Party Committee and people of Nghe An are forever proud of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh'

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh attends a scientific seminar on comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - The workshop is a practical activity to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the birth of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh (July 15, 1910 - July 15, 2020), to review his vibrant and rich revolutionary life, and honor the great contributions of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh to the Party and the Vietnamese revolution.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee presented a speech reviewing the life and career of Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh. Photo: Thanh Duy

…Today, in Vinh city, Nghe An province, we solemnly held the 110th anniversary of the birth of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh (July 15, 1910 - July 15, 2020) - a typical senior leader of the Party and the Vietnamese revolution, an outstanding politician and diplomat, an outstanding son of Nghe An homeland.

Organizing the commemoration ceremony is an opportunity for us to review the life, career, merits and contributions of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh to the revolutionary cause of the Party in general and the Foreign Affairs sector in particular; at the same time, to propagate and educate cadres, party members and people of all walks of life, especially the young generation, about the shining example and revolutionary ethics of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh to the cause of national renewal and international integration today.

…Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh’s real name is Nguyen Dinh Bien, born on July 15, 1910 in Co Dan village, Dang Xa commune (now hamlet 12, Phuc Tho commune), Nghi Loc district, Nghe An province. He is the 15th generation descendant of Grand Tutor Cuong Quoc Cong Nguyen Xi.

Born in a land rich in cultural and revolutionary traditions, growing up in a turbulent historical period, with many patriotic movements initiated by scholars and intellectuals against colonial and feudal oppression and exploitation; early absorbing the spirit of patriotism, hatred of colonialism and not accepting a life of slavery, the young man Nguyen Dinh Bien actively participated in patriotic movements.

Under the guidance of teacher Tran Phu as well as making friends with many fellow students with revolutionary aspirations, Nguyen Dinh Bien participated in the student movement against colonial feudal oppression, demanding freedom of political activities in Vinh such as: attending the memorial service for Phan Chu Trinh, signing the petition demanding the French colonialists to release the patriotic scholar Phan Boi Chau.

Former Foreign Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh. Photo: Getty Image

In 1927, when he was just 17 years old, Nguyen Dinh Bien joined the Vietnam Revolutionary Party (the new name of the Phuc Viet Association), and was then assigned by the organization to operate in Saigon - Gia Dinh. To avoid being hunted by secret police, he changed his name to Nguyen Duy Trinh - a name that followed him throughout his revolutionary career. At the end of 1928, Nguyen Duy Trinh was arrested by the French in Saigon and deported back to his hometown.

In August 1930, returning to his homeland when the Nghe Tinh revolutionary movement under the Party's leadership was at its fiercest stage, the economic struggle movement combined with political struggle gradually brought the people's demands to the nature of "small-scale riots to disintegrate the colonial and feudal government apparatus in villages and communes", he continued his days of vibrant revolutionary activities, dedicating his youth to the cause of liberating his homeland.

After the demonstration on September 12, 1930 of Hung Nguyen farmers, with the participation of more than 8,000 farmers from 3 communes: Phu Long, Thong Lang and Nam Kim (Nam Dan) was suppressed by the French colonial government, Nghe An Provincial Party Committee advocated launching a larger struggle throughout the province, to demonstrate the strength, spirit of solidarity and heroic struggle of the working class and peasants.

Leaders of the Party, State and Nghe An province visit the exhibition about comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh. Photo: Thanh Duy

Implementing the direction of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh together with the Party cells in Co Dan, Kim Khe, Song Loc of Nghi Loc District Party Committee called on and mobilized the people in general solidarity to rise up, carry out many struggles, demonstrations, warnings, and punishments against the lackeys and feudalists. Typical examples include the rally in Con Mo, Co Bai on September 20, 1930; organizing a speech rally on October 5, 1930 with more than 300 people participating; gathering at Dang Xa commune and neighboring villages, protesting and marching to suppress the contractor Mot Do in Buong village.

Panicked by the strong development of the local revolutionary movement, the French colonialists tried every way to suppress and extinguish the movement. In that situation, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh and the Party committees at all levels in the district led the Red Peasant Association and the Communist Youth Union to mobilize people to attend the memorial service for the fallen soldiers. Thousands of Nghi Loc residents, along with factory workers, Vinh - Ben Thuy residents and Hung Nguyen district residents gathered to attend the ceremony, sparking a wave of protests and demonstrations.

Also during this time, Nghi Loc people were in a very serious famine, saving the people from starvation was an urgent matter and was a matter of survival for the revolution.

During the celebration of the “Red Week” from January 15 to 24, 1931, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh and party members in the Nam Nghi region mobilized and led the people to carry out struggles to borrow rice to relieve hunger, forcing the local authorities to export rice and public funds to help families who were starving and affected by the struggle. Faced with the increasingly strong revolutionary movement, the French colonialists and the Southern Dynasty feudal government concentrated their forces, using crazy and barbaric terrorist policies to suppress the Nghe - Tinh Soviet movement.

Many Party organizations in Nghi Loc were disbanded, many Party cadres and members were killed and imprisoned by the enemy. Escaping the enemy's siege, in April 1931, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh tried to contact a number of loyal Party members to organize a conference to establish a new District Party Committee. The conference elected comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh as Secretary of the Nghi Loc District Party Committee.

As Secretary of the District Party Committee, he and the Party Executive Committee sought every way to contact the Central Region Party Committee to receive instructions on leading the revolutionary movement, continuing to organize and launch many struggles on a district-wide scale. During this time, the French colonialists and their henchmen carried out intense terror, carried out many bloody massacres, causing heavy losses to the revolution. By November 1931, many Party chapters in Nghi Loc district had disintegrated, and most of the Party cadres and members were captured by the enemy. Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh was one of the last people to be arrested during the terror attack on January 18, 1932.

Party and State leaders talked with representatives of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh's family and clan. Photo: Thanh Duy

From 1932 to May 1945, he was exiled in many notorious and brutal prisons of the colonialists and feudalists such as Vinh Prison, Buon Ma Thuot Prison, Dak To concentration camps, Kon Tum, Con Dao; was listed as one of the dangerous communist elements, and was brutally tortured.

However, the “iron shackles and chains” of the prison could not shake the will of the steadfast communist. In prison, Nguyen Duy Trinh, along with his revolutionary predecessors such as Phan Dang Luu, Ha Huy Tap, Le Duan, Pham Van Dong, Pham Hung, Ton Duc Thang, and Le Van Luong, turned the colonial prison into a revolutionary school for patriotic communists and was one of the active contributors to the compilation and organization of Marxist-Leninist study classes on guerrilla warfare.

Upholding the spirit of a communist, Nguyen Duy Trinh organized fellow prisoners to unite, discussed ways to fight, and forced the enemy to reduce harsh prison conditions. Despite many challenges, "fire tests gold, hardship tests strength", Nguyen Duy Trinh demonstrated the mettle of a steadfast, indomitable communist, always keeping his spirit, considering the imperial prison as an environment to train revolutionary will. This was a deep impression and a prominent feature in his revolutionary life.

In May 1945, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh was released from prison and assigned to organize an uprising to seize power in Nghe An and Hue. The nationwide resistance war broke out, and he was the leader of the revolutionary movement in Inter-zone 5, the Secretary of the Inter-zone 5 Party Committee and Chairman of the South Central Vietnam Administrative Resistance Committee. He contributed with the Inter-zone Party Committee to lay the foundation and create a solid premise for the resistance war in the area.

At the 2nd National Party Congress (March 1951), he was elected to the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Workers' Party; in 1954, he became Chief of the Central Party Office; in 1955, he was elected to the Central Secretariat; in 1956, he was elected as a member of the Politburo; in 1960, he held the position of Deputy Prime Minister, concurrently Chairman of the State Planning Commission, and later concurrently Chairman of the State Science Commission. In particular, in his position as Chairman of the State Planning Commission, he wrote many articles clearly demonstrating his comprehensive and in-depth leadership in the process of bringing the North to socialism.

April 1965, the period when the US imperialists intensified their attacks on the North, was the period when the struggle took place on all three fronts: Military, Political and Diplomatic. Faced with the new situation of the revolution, requiring the opening of a diplomatic front of "fighting and negotiating", comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh was trusted by President Ho Chi Minh and the Politburo to concurrently hold the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

After nearly 8 years in his new position, with profound intelligence and steadfast revolutionary spirit, on January 27, 1973, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh was assigned to represent the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to sign the Paris Agreement, forcing the US to end the war in Vietnam.

After the country was unified, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh represented our Party and State to attend the Vietnamese flag-raising ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in July 1977.

In 1982, at the 5th Party Congress, he was elected to the Party Central Committee and assigned to be the Standing Member of the Central Party and Government's Socio-Economic Strategy Research Board.

He passed away on April 20, 1985 in Hanoi at the age of 75. For his outstanding achievements in the revolutionary career, he was awarded the Gold Star Order - the most noble Order of our Party and State...

Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh, comrades Le Duc Tho, Xuan Thuy, and Nguyen Co Thach rejoiced after signing the Paris Agreement in 1973. Photo courtesy

With 75 years of age, 57 years of Party membership, nearly 60 years of continuous revolutionary activities in the three regions of the North, Central and South, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh was trusted by the Party and the people to be assigned many important responsibilities. His revolutionary life is associated with the heroic history of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people. From a patriotic youth, through fighting and training in the revolutionary movement, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh became a soldier of the first guard class of the Party, a loyal and close student of President Ho Chi Minh; Contributing with our Party to form viewpoints, revolutionary guidelines, strategies, tactics to protect the Fatherland, develop the economy and reform society, develop culture in accordance with the reality of each region, each revolutionary period, motivating the entire Party, the entire people, the entire army to constantly strive for the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland.

As a member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh contributed part of his efforts to perfect the Party's foreign policy and guidelines, in line with the new situation, in order to unite and gather international forces to understand Vietnam correctly, to help and support Vietnam in fighting the US. That was not only a victory in terms of politics and diplomacy but also in terms of economy and defense, ensuring resources as well as much-needed support for our people's war against the US imperialists.

With his revolutionary spirit, sharp intelligence and tireless sacrifice, he contributed significantly to the overall success of the entire nation. The experience and lessons that Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh left on the diplomatic front still have value for our international integration process today...

Regardless of his position and location, his hometown Nghe An - his birthplace - still receives special affection from comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh. In August 1963, on behalf of the Party Central Committee, comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh - Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister attended and directed the 11th Congress of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee.

The Party Committee and people of Nghe An are forever proud of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh - an outstanding son of Nghe An and he himself is also very proud of his homeland and the people of Nghe An - loyal, steadfast and deeply affectionate.

Promoting the tradition of the Soviet homeland, studying and following the revolutionary moral example of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh, in recent years, the Party Committee and people of Nghe An have overcome difficulties, strived and achieved many great results through the resistance wars for national liberation and national reunification; as well as in the cause of socio-economic development, national defense and security stability.

To continue carrying out revolutionary tasks in the new period, fulfilling the goals and ideals chosen by the Party and our people, following in the footsteps of previous revolutionary generations, the Party Committee and people of Nghe An are determined to successfully carry out the goals, targets and tasks set out in the Resolution of the 18th Provincial Party Congress.

Focus on effectively implementing Resolution No. 26 dated July 30, 2013 and Notice No. 55 dated April 20, 2019 of the Politburo on the direction and tasks for the development of Nghe An province. Prepare well for the organization of Party congresses at all levels, clearly defining the viewpoints, goals, policies, and major orientations on socio-economic development, national defense and security, foreign affairs, Party building and the entire political system in the period of 2020 - 2025 and the following years, in the direction of:

One is,Focus on rapid and sustainable economic development, associated with social progress and equity, and environmental protection.

Second,Closely link and synchronously deploy tasks, in which socio-economic development is the center; Party building is the key; cultural development is the spiritual foundation and driving force for socio-economic development; ensuring national defense and security is an important and regular task.

Third,strongly arouse the aspirations and will to rise of the entire political system and people, maximize potentials and strengths, promote the spirit of creative entrepreneurship; actively and proactively integrate, cooperate and link with domestic and foreign partners, effectively mobilize development resources.

Fourth,Improve the efficiency of management, exploitation, use and promotion of economic resources. Focus on developing key industries, fields and key areas that have strong and widespread impacts on the overall development; at the same time, ensure comprehensive development of all fields. Take care of comprehensive human development, ensure social security, improve the quality of human resources, attract and use talents. Develop the private economy, promote innovation, strongly apply science and technology; invest in developing remote areas, ethnic minority areas; preserve and promote the culture and traditions of ethnic groups in the province.

Five is,Strengthen solidarity, promote democracy, focus on Party building and rectification, enhance the role, leadership capacity and fighting strength of the Party; build a clean, strong, streamlined, effective and efficient political system; build a contingent of cadres and Party members with qualities, capacity and prestige, equal to the task, closely attached to the people; take the satisfaction of the people and enterprises as the main measure of the government's performance...

In the flow of Vietnamese history, the development process of Nghe An homeland will certainly continue to be written and leave its mark in new pages of history. On that development path, the name of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh has been associated with the name of the land, the name of the street, the name of the school, forever a source of pride, a shining example for the next generations to learn from, to join hands and strive to build a Vietnam, Nghe An homeland: Rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization.

To express gratitude for the great contributions of comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh, the Party Committee and people of Nghe An province have devoted resources to the restoration and embellishment of the comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh Memorial House. The project has been completed and put into use.

His name was used as the name of a street in Vinh city. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth (July 15, 2010), a high school in Nghi Loc district was honored to be named Nguyen Duy Trinh High School.

Wishing to forever follow the path that Uncle Ho, our Party and previous revolutionary generations have chosen, the Party Committee and people of Nghe An will continue to unite, strive to overcome difficulties, and be determined to fulfill Uncle Ho's wish before passing away, which is "to build Nghe An to quickly become one of the prosperous provinces", meeting the expectations of the Central Government, the people of the whole country and the people of the province.

(Title by Nghe An Newspaper)