Outstanding leader, devoted to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation

Comrade Vo Van Kiet, whose birth name is Phan Van Hoa, was born on November 23, 1922, in Trung Hiep commune, Vung Liem district, Vinh Long province. He was a former member of the Politburo, former Prime Minister, and former Advisor to the Party Central Committee. He devoted his entire life to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, making many great contributions to the cause of innovation and development of the country.

Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet on the day of completion of the 500KV North-South power transmission line. Photo: Archive

With nearly 70 years of active and diverse revolutionary activities, comrade Vo Van Kiet was assigned to hold many important leadership positions in the Party and government. Early awakening to the revolution, being trained in revolutionary struggles, experiencing practical leadership and management at all levels, with revolutionary spirit and creativity, he worked tirelessly, contributing much to the cause of national liberation and national construction.

During the years of resistance against the French colonialists and the American imperialists, he fought in the Southern battlefield. The war was fierce, there were storms of bullets and bombs, and there were many shortages, but he still stuck to the people and the land, led the revolutionary movement, did not hesitate to sacrifice or endure hardships, and was loyal to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the people. When captured and imprisoned by the enemy, he remained steadfast and loyal, maintaining the integrity of a revolutionary soldier, upholding his indomitable will, and was ready to sacrifice for the cause of the Party and the nation.

After the South was completely liberated and the country was unified, in his capacity as Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers, then Prime Minister, Advisor to the Party Central Committee, he made great and outstanding contributions, leaving good impressions in the hearts of compatriots, comrades and international friends. Closely attached to the people, in all areas of activity and assigned responsibilities, he always strived and worked to the best of his ability.
Those who fought and worked alongside Comrade Vo Van Kiet all had the same opinion: He was a dynamic, creative person, his words matched his actions as an innate instinct. He was close to the people, to the cadres, to his comrades, united and sincere, a sensitive person, rich in practice. His whole life he was attached to the people, trusted and loved the people. His alias Sau Dan and the name of his beloved daughter - Vo Hieu Dan - were also a wish for him to always remember the people's hearts, to always remember the deep gratitude of the people.

Comrade Vo Van Kiet has both the good qualities that ordinary people can have and the virtues, qualities that can only be found in people who have experienced the storms of life, people who "must be strong to stand against the wind".

Comrade Vo Van Kiet has contributed much to the Party's guidelines, policies and practical solutions for successful organization. He has a progressive spirit, self-study, knows how to listen, relies on people with high education levels, and follows opinions to gather opinions. There are many projects bearing his mark such as: Tri An Hydropower Plant, flood drainage projects, living with floods in the Mekong Delta, sweetening some areas in the Mekong Delta, solving traffic problems in the Mekong Delta, 500KV North-South power transmission line...

Comrade Vo Van Kiet was also the one who signed the decree to establish the National University in 1993, with the policy of socializing education. The establishment of the two National Universities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City was a milestone of profound innovation in the structure of the Vietnamese higher education system. This was also the first time a multidisciplinary university with high autonomy appeared in the Vietnamese higher education system.

In Hanoi, one of the projects bearing the mark of Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet is the Thang Long - Noi Bai Expressway, opening an extremely important international gateway not only for the capital but also for the whole country. In addition, the policy of opening the Lang - Hoa Lac Expressway by Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet has helped the entire western region of Hanoi develop strongly. The travel time from Hanoi to Hoa Lac has been shortened to only 30 minutes, faster than traveling within the city during rush hour... Those projects demonstrate the great strategic vision of an outstanding leader.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commented on Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet: “As the driving force behind Vietnam’s economic reforms that began in the late 1980s, Mr. Vo Van Kiet paved the way for Vietnam’s transition from poverty to a decade of impressive economic growth.”

According to the former Secretary General of the United Nations: “During his tenure as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1997, Mr. Kiet also played a key role in improving Vietnam's diplomatic relations with countries around the world.” Comrade Do Muoi, former General Secretary, commented: “Mr. Vo Van Kiet is a very practical person, a man of work, all talk and all action, not much for theorizing. But when directing or handling domestic and foreign affairs, he consistently and thoroughly expressed the Party's thoughts, viewpoints, and principles.”

According to Hanoimoi.vn