The ultimate desire of a virtuous Vietnamese person

A person may have more or less desires, and often "the ultimate desire dictates their motives, goals, behavior, and generally their career values." The case of President Ho Chi Minh is a compelling example. Therefore, it is difficult to understand if each of us studies Ho Chi Minh's ethics day and night, yet deep down, we only harbor small, petty, and selfish desires?!

In the spring of 1946, our country's history witnessed a great and moving event: On January 6, 1946, the first general election was held nationwide. Every citizen, 18 years of age and older, regardless of wealth, social class, gender, or religion, had the right to vote and run for office... In fact, the day before the general election, President Ho Chi Minh issued a "Call to the People of the Nation," which included the passage: "Tomorrow is the first day in Vietnamese history, and our people begin to enjoy their democratic rights... A single ballot has the power of a bullet!" In reality, 90% of the total number of voters cast their ballots; the citizen named Ho Chi Minh ran for election in Hanoi and was elected with the highest number of votes, 98.4%!

Assessing the scale and effectiveness of the General Election to elect the National Assembly and the Spring Resistance Coalition Government in 1946, Mr. Vu Dinh Hoe said: "Thanks to the skillful leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, sometimes firm, sometimes flexible, along with the patient and courageous struggle of the Viet Minh General Headquarters and the vast masses of people, the General Election on January 6, 1946 was brilliantly successful! Thus, before two great mountains that suddenly emerged: the National Assembly of the whole people united in resolute resistance, and the closely united Government of patriotic parties both at home and abroad who had just returned, resolutely commanding the resistance, even the most stubborn colonialists had to back down - including those who supported them, directly or indirectly." (1) It should be remembered that this is the analysis and assessment of an important figure and "involved" at that time...

Following the events of January 6, 1946, several foreign journalists expressed their desire to interview President Ho Chi Minh about his personal and general thoughts and aspirations. In issue 147 of the newspaper Cuu Quoc (National Salvation), published on January 21, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh published an article titled "Answering Foreign Journalists." This was also an opportunity for him to widely publicize his thoughts and aspirations to his compatriots at home and to prominent figures abroad. In the first part, talking about "fame and wealth," about his own ultimate "desire," Uncle Ho wrote like a true Eastern sage: "I absolutely do not desire fame and wealth at all. Now I have to bear the position of Chairman because the people have entrusted me with it, so I must try my best, just like a soldier obeying the orders of the nation to go to the front. Whenever the people allow me to retire, I will gladly retire. I only have one desire, an ultimate desire, which is to make our country completely independent, our people completely free, everyone has enough food and clothing, everyone has access to education. As for myself, I want to build a small house, in a place with green mountains and clear water to fish, plant flowers, and spend my days and evenings with old people gathering firewood and young children tending buffaloes, without being involved in the circle of fame and fortune..." (2).

In fact, President Ho Chi Minh's "ultimate desire," expressed in his response to foreign journalists in 1946, was reiterated many times, most concisely, broadly, and poignantly in the final part of his Last Will and Testament: "My last wish is that the entire Party and all the people of Vietnam unite and strive to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Vietnam, and make a worthy contribution to the world revolutionary cause."

(1) Ho Chi Minh's Humanistic Rule of Law. Vu Dinh Hoe. Culture - Information Publishing House and East-West Language and Culture Center, Hanoi, 2001, p. 86.

(2) Ho Chi Minh Complete Works, Volume 4 (1945 - 1946). National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2002, p. 161.

Kim Nhật