Revolutionary Sieu Hai: Dedicating his entire youth to the revolution

Who is Sieu Hai?

In 1938, the danger of Japanese fascism expanding its power and expanding the war arose nationwide, the movement to “defend Indochina” and the movement to “support the Chinese people in resisting Japan” arose. In that context, one day in July 1938, patriots, anti-fascists - colonialists and the entire French colonial government were shaken by a book titled “The disaster of war and the issue of defending Indochina”. With sharp language and convincing arguments, the book analyzed the arguments in order to clarify the correct policy of the Indochinese Communist Party and guide the masses to operate in the direction outlined by the Party.

Photo: Nghe Tinh Soviet Museum

The book was published by Tien Bo Vinh Publishing House, the author's name printed on the cover is Sieu Hai. A month after its release, the French Secret Service in Vinh found the book. Angry at the arguments presented in the book, Chief of the French Secret Service Humbert ordered the mobilization of all forces to search for the identity of the author Sieu Hai. For a long time, the French Secret Service had a headache with the question: Who is Sieu Hai?

None other than Sieu Hai turned out to be a familiar face to the French colonial administration in Vinh. French secret police files still contain information about this person: his name is Nguyen Nhat Tan, born in 1915, hometown in Yen Tho village, Phu Long commune (now Long Xa commune, Hung Nguyen district); there is also information that his birth name is Nguyen Dinh Hoanh. Orphaned by his mother at the age of 3, and by his father at the age of 11, Sieu Hai grew up under the care of his grandmother.

Luckier than some of his peers, Sieu Hai was able to attend Vinh National School and was a very good student. Having the opportunity to study and access progressive books and newspapers, and frequently talking with patriots and famous revolutionaries, in the student's mind soon arose a belief in a bright revolutionary path, escaping the oppression of colonialism and feudalism. Sieu Hai's teenage years were associated with many activities in the Vinh - Ben Thuy student movement. In 1929, he was expelled from school after a strike by students of Vinh National School. That year, Sieu Hai was in the third grade.

Soviet Nghe Tinh Museum - where many artifacts and documents about revolutionary soldiers imprisoned in Vinh Prison are kept. Photo: Nhat Le

Sieu Hai's father was Nguyen Dinh Loc - a poor teacher with an upright character. He often met famous patriots such as Phan Boi Chau, Dang Thai Than, Giai Huan, Co Lua... at his home. He was present in the Duy Tan Association and many times, together with Mr. Vuong Thuc Oanh, took young people to Trai Cay, established by Dang Thuc Hua in Siam. He fell ill and died on the way during a trip to send people abroad.

3 times in colonial prison

In the process of researching materials for the article, we had access to many documents about Sieu Hai at the Nghe Tinh Soviet Museum. Among them, the most valuable are the original handwritten notes about his life and career. Accordingly, after being expelled from Vinh National School, Sieu Hai returned to his hometown to live in harmony with the villagers, teaching privately and contacting the local Party organization. He was assigned to be in charge of the printing work of the Hung Nguyen Provincial Party Committee. Sieu Hai's alias at that time was Trinh.

In September 1930, the revolutionary movement in Nghe Tinh reached its peak. Following large-scale demonstrations with rudimentary weapons in Nam Dan, Thanh Chuong, Can Loc districts... On September 12, 1930, the Hung Nguyen demonstration broke out. Although only 15 years old, Sieu Hai enthusiastically participated in this historic demonstration.

Nghe Tinh Soviet climax in 1930 - 1931 (Painting)

The French imperialists bombed the masses, killing and injuring many people. After that, they surrounded and hunted down cadres and party members. Sieu Hai went to a house next to the road, but they discovered him and tied him up, taking him to Vinh Prison. When Vinh Prison was full of political prisoners, the French colonialists transferred Sieu Hai to Quang Tri Prison. After nearly a year of imprisoning Sieu Hai, they still did not have enough evidence to convict him, so they had to release this brave young man.

Released, he sought to reconnect with the organization to carry out revolutionary activities in Vinh in the context of the French colonialists implementing the "white terror" policy that had destroyed many Party bases. According to documents from the Nghe Tinh Soviet Museum, in early 1932, Sieu Hai and a number of other comrades re-established the Vinh Regional Party Committee. However, while the organization was tasked with connecting with another comrade to contribute to rebuilding the Central Region Party Committee, Sieu Hai was arrested by the French colonialists for the second time. At only 17 years old, despite the enemy's temptations and brutal torture, Sieu Hai still maintained his revolutionary spirit. Afterwards, the young revolutionary soldier was sentenced by the French colonialists to 13 years in prison and detained at Trieu Duong station - a remote, wild and poisonous place in Anh Son district.

Documents about the life and career of comrade Sieu Hai are kept at the Nghe Tinh Soviet Museum.

After 4 years in prison, he was released in 1936 when the Popular Front came to power in France and the movement to release political prisoners at that time also exploded throughout the country. Returning from the wild jungle, poisonous water, experiencing many beatings and harsh living conditions, his health gradually declined but could not defeat Sieu Hai's revolutionary will. Together with his comrades and compatriots, he continued to join the Democratic Front movement in Vinh - Ben Thuy. And as mentioned above, after writing the book "The Disaster of War and the Defense of Indochina", the French Secret Police arrested him again and charged him with 3 crimes: disturbing public order, writing anti-government articles and committing many other acts of sabotage.

However, later, French Ambassador Marty had to instruct Chief of Secret Service Humbert to release Sieu Hai in the face of strong protests from Vinh - Ben Thuy residents. However, the after-effects of many imprisonments made the young soldier unable to persevere any longer. Sieu Hai passed away at the age of 24, leaving behind much grief for his comrades and fellow countrymen...

The book Vinh Prison published by the Propaganda Department of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee also recorded: On August 27, 1939, in Vinh there was an unprecedentedly large funeral. That was the funeral of comrade Sieu Hai - a famous young communist soldier. Thousands of local people and representatives of the people from the districts of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces attended Sieu Hai's funeral. This funeral was also a demonstration of the strength of workers, farmers, intellectuals, and the poor in Vinh - Ben Thuy city and neighboring areas. Today, to commemorate him, in Vinh City there is a street named Sieu Hai, in Cua Nam ward.