A diplomat with the character of a person from Nghe An province.

(Baonghean) - Born and raised in the sun-drenched land of Nghe An during a time when the entire country suffered under French colonial rule, the late Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Duy Trinh deeply understood the hardships and struggles of his people. Later, even after becoming a distinguished communist and an outstanding diplomat, he still retained the admirable qualities of the people of Nghe An.

Born in 1910 into a farming family in Nghi Loc (Nghe An province), he joined the student movement demanding political freedom in Vinh City at the age of 15. A year later, he joined the Tan Viet Revolutionary Party, taking his first steps on the revolutionary path. His imprisonments and physical and mental tortures did not discourage him; instead, they fueled his growing revolutionary ideals. Later, he held many important positions such as Chief of the Central Party Office (late 1954), Minister of the Prime Minister's Office (1958), Chairman of the State Science Committee (1963-1965), and the longest-serving Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam (1965-1980).

Perhaps throughout his life of service and dedication, the most profound mark he left was in diplomatic negotiations. He was the one who represented Vietnam, speaking with a resolute voice and unwavering belief in the truth that "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" at the Paris Peace Conference to end the war and restore peace. After the country's reunification, Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh was instrumental in building Vietnam's relationships with many countries in the region, laying the first "bricks" for Vietnam to become an active member of ASEAN – a gateway to the outside world and international integration.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Duy Trinh attends the flag-raising ceremony of Vietnam at the United Nations headquarters in 1977. Photo: archival material.

Besides his successful career as a diplomat, what impressed people about Nguyen Duy Trinh was his simplicity, carefulness, calmness, and impeccable manner. Despite living far from his hometown, he maintained the habits of a Nghe An native, enjoying simple dishes like sweet potatoes, pickled vegetables, and various salty fish sauces. In his daily life, if he saw a piece of trash, no matter how busy he was, he would bend down, pick it up, and put it in the bin. If a book was misplaced, he would also rearrange it neatly. Nguyen Duy To, the second son of Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh, recounted: once, seeing a slightly wrinkled picture of President Ho Chi Minh, he sternly reminded his children that the image of the leader must be placed in a respectful position to show their reverence for the father of the nation.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh's admirable qualities also made a strong impression and were recounted by many politicians at the time. Former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan could never forget Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh – a man so careful, meticulous, and thorough that he personally checked and revised the submitted documents, considering every sentence, every word, every punctuation mark. And in the memory of Mr. Ly Van Sau, former advisor and spokesperson for the delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam at the Paris Conference in 1973, the image of the diplomatic leader was associated with his brown suit, his fondness for the pickled eggplant from his hometown of Nghe An, and his extremely simple and approachable nature.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh also left a positive impression on his subordinates because every aspect of his demeanor, gestures, and actions reflected the exemplary character of a great man. If an employee made a mistake, he would gently remind them: "Don't say that," "You shouldn't do that." For serious errors, he would sternly say: "Instruct your colleagues to seriously review their actions and learn from the experience." Gentle yet strict—that was the impression of those who had the opportunity to work directly with him. Vietnamese leaders and political figures assessed that Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh's revolutionary qualities could be summarized in a few words: humility, simplicity, and genuine love for his comrades.

In 2013, the Vietnam Historical Science Association, in collaboration with the National Political Publishing House, compiled and released the book "Nguyen Duy Trinh – A Resilient Communist, a Talented Diplomat." The book consists of two parts: the first is two volumes of Nguyen Duy Trinh's memoirs, and the second contains articles by his friends and comrades about his diplomatic career. Because of his simple, sincere, and exemplary character, readers are not forced into a dry, political mindset but are reminded of history and his immense contributions to the country's diplomacy in an accessible and understandable way.

As an outstanding disciple of President Ho Chi Minh – a proud son of Nghe An province – Nguyen Duy Trinh's name is often mentioned in connection with his vibrant yet challenging and resolute diplomatic activities. Thirty years after his passing, Vietnam's diplomacy has achieved many great successes, and its image and position have been affirmed in the global landscape. This is also an opportunity for us to remember him with deep pride and gratitude for the man who laid the first foundation for Vietnam's diplomatic relations, paving the way for the country's integration. His talent and virtue are a great lesson and an example for future generations of diplomats to follow. Let me conclude these recollections of him with a quote from former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan at the scientific conference "Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh and his diplomatic career," commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 14, 2010: "If we learn those lessons, we are already worthy of being human and worthy of being diplomats."

Phuong Thao