Diplomat with the character of a Nghe An native

(Baonghean) - Born and raised in the sunny and windy land of Nghe An during the period when the whole country was suffering under the yoke of French colonialism, the late Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Duy Trinh deeply understood the suffering and hardship of his people. Later, although he became an outstanding communist and an outstanding diplomat, he still retained the precious qualities of the people of Nghe An.

Born in 1910 into a farming family in Nghi Loc (Nghe An), he participated in the student movement demanding freedom of political activities 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. The times of being imprisoned and tortured mentally and physically did not discourage him but instead nurtured his revolutionary ideals to grow. Later, he held many important positions such as Chief of the Party Central Committee Office (late 1954), Minister of the Prime Minister's Office (1958), Chairman of the State Science Committee (1963 - 1965) and was the longest-serving Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam (1965 - 1980).

Perhaps throughout his life of work and dedication, the deepest impressions he left were in diplomatic negotiations. He was the representative who spoke out with a strong voice and belief in the truth that "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" of the Vietnamese people at the Paris Conference to end the war and restore peace. After the country was reunified, Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh was the one who built Vietnam's relationship with many countries in the region, laying the first "bricks" for Vietnam to become an active member of ASEAN - the door to the outside world and international integration.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Duy Trinh attended the Vietnamese flag-raising ceremony at the United Nations headquarters in 1977. Photo: file

Besides his success in his career as a diplomat, what impresses people about Nguyen Duy Trinh is his simplicity, carefulness, calmness and proper behavior. Although he lives far from his homeland, he still maintains the habits of the Nghe people, loves to eat rustic dishes from his hometown such as sweet potatoes, pickled eggplants or salty fish sauces. In daily life, when going from inside the house to the alley, if he sees a piece of trash, no matter how busy he is, he bends down to pick it up and throw it in the bin. When he puts a book in the wrong place, he also personally arranges it neatly. Mr. Nguyen Duy To, the second son of Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh, said: once seeing a slightly crumpled picture of Uncle Ho, he sternly reminded his children that the image of the leader must be placed in a solemn position to show respect for the father of the nation.

The good qualities of Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh also made a strong impression and were recounted by many politicians at that time. Former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan could not forget Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh - a careful, meticulous and meticulous person to the point of checking and correcting submitted documents himself, considering each sentence, each word, each punctuation mark. In the memory of Mr. Ly Van Sau, former advisor and spokesman of 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 associated with a brown suit, addicted to eggplant dishes from his hometown Nghe An, was so simple and close.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Trinh also left a good impression on his subordinates because all his demeanor, gestures and actions exuded the exemplary character of a great personality. If an employee had shortcomings or mistakes, he would gently remind them: "don't say that", "don't do that". With serious mistakes, he would sternly say: "Tell your colleagues to seriously review and learn from their mistakes". Gentle but strict, that was the impression of those who had the opportunity to work directly with him. Our country's leaders and political activists assessed that Minister Nguyen Duy Trinh's revolutionary qualities could be summarized in a few words: modesty, simplicity, and sincere love for comrades.

In 2013, the Vietnam Historical Science Association in collaboration with the National Political Publishing House - Truth compiled and released to readers the book "Nguyen Duy Trinh - A staunch communist, a talented diplomat". The book consists of two parts, part one is two volumes of memoirs by Nguyen Duy Trinh and part two are articles by friends and comrades about his diplomatic career. Because of his simple, sincere and exemplary character, when reading the book, readers are not constrained in a dry political mindset but are reminded of his history and his great contributions to the country's diplomacy in an approachable and understandable way.

As an excellent student of President Ho Chi Minh - a proud son of Nghe An, the name Nguyen Duy Trinh is often mentioned in association with vibrant but also arduous and fierce diplomatic activities. 30 years after his death, the country's diplomacy has achieved many great achievements, the image and position of Vietnam have been affirmed in the world panorama. This is also an opportunity for us to remember him with pride and deep gratitude for the person who laid the first foundation for Vietnam's diplomatic relations, creating a premise for the country to integrate. His talent and virtue are great lessons, an example for future generations of diplomats to follow. Let me end my reminiscences about him with the words of former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan at the scientific conference "Comrade Nguyen Duy Trinh and his diplomatic career" commemorating his 100th birthday, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 14, 2010: "If we learn those lessons, we are worthy of being human and worthy of being diplomats."

Phuong Thao