Letter from President Ho Chi Minh to comrades in his home province

Hanoi, September 17, 1945

With comrades from the province,

(Watched it, remember to forward it to your downvoters)

Comrades,

In this poem, I do not use the name of the President of the Government, but only use the name of an old comrade to write to share some experiences with you.

1. This successful national revolution has very great significance that we need to clearly recognize. That significance is: In a very short time, we have destroyed the autocratic monarchy that has existed for thousands of years. We have overthrown the domination of two imperialist empires: France and Japan. We have established a democratic republic. This is an unprecedented victory in the history of our country.

2. Why was there that victory?

Partly because the international situation was favorable to us. Especially because of the united strength of the entire people. All ethnic groups, classes, localities, and religions rose up under the Viet Minh flag to fight for independence for the Fatherland.

The people's power is the greatest power. No one can defeat that power.

3. The work of destruction is finished. Now the first step is the work of cleaning up, arranging, preserving and rebuilding. Ah! This is the difficult thing! In the work of destruction against the enemy demanding independence, it is easy to involve the whole people. In the work of rebuilding, it is more difficult, because it touches on the private interests of a couple who used to be in the country. Moreover, we must honestly admit that our experience is still limited, our talent is still lacking, and there is a lot of work: military, diplomatic, financial…, hundreds of thousands of things, all new to us. In addition, there is the danger of foreign invasion and the internal political situation.

4. It is difficult, but we are determined; we learn while working, and especially we try to follow the Government's policies, then we will definitely overcome all those difficulties. In summary, the Government's policies are:

- Strengthen national solidarity,

- Correct the defects in all aspects.

5. In localities, the biggest shortcomings are:

a) Narrow-minded and excusing tendency. Everything is done by the Viet Minh, not knowing how to bring in famous or talented local people to help.

b) Abuse of punishment. It is true that traitors with clear evidence must be punished. But we should not dig up old stories to make new cases. For those who are not so dangerous, we should use a policy of reformation and tolerance, not arrest indiscriminately, not confiscate unreasonably, causing terror to the people.

c) Discipline is not strict enough. Allowing those who impersonate the Government or Viet Minh to bully the people, embezzle people's money, take people's belongings, making people resentful.

d) Preventing corruption. Many of our cadres are "bowing and devoted" and extremely loyal to their duties, to the Government, and to the people. But there are also corrupt people who pretend to be revolutionary officials, or act arbitrarily, or use public power for private gain. They even use public law to take revenge for private gain, causing people to resent the Government and organizations.

d) The above shortcomings, small ones, make people confused, large ones, shake solidarity.

We must make immediate changes,

We are not afraid of having flaws,

We are just afraid of not having the determination to change.

We must be impartial.

We must clearly understand and follow the Government's policies so that the above shortcomings will be easily corrected and national solidarity will be stronger.

If you have any problems at work, please write to me to discuss. I am always willing to help.

Best regards

HO CHI MINH CITY

(Printed in: President Ho with his homeland - Party History Research Board, Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, 1970, pp. 17-19)