The Nghe-Tinh Soviet: 90 Years of Enduring History for the Nation

"Where there is oppression, there is struggle."

The principle of Marxism-Leninism states that: "Where there is oppression, there is struggle." This is clearly demonstrated inrevolutionary movement 1930-1931In Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, there was an uprising of the working class against tyranny.

The struggle of the people of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces began with the workers' and peasants' struggle in Vinh-Ben Thuy on May 1, 1930. The people of Nghi Xuan, Huong Khe, Thanh Chuong, and Do Luong districts responded by organizing flag-raising ceremonies, rallies, and marches to commemorate International Labor Day on May 1, 1930.

The Red Self-Defense Team in Hoa Quan - Dong So - Nghe An during the Nghe An - Thinh Hoa Soviet Uprising of 1930-1931. (Archival photo)

From political struggle, the masses protested with rudimentary weapons. This marked the beginning of a new era.armed struggleThe August 30, 1930, protest by approximately 3,000 farmers in Nam Dan forced the district chief to sign a petition. On September 1, 1930, a large-scale protest involving over 20,000 farmers from five communes erupted in Thanh Chuong. On September 7-8, 1930, thousands of farmers from Can Loc, Thach Ha, and Cam Xuyen districts coordinated protests, marching to the provincial capital of Ha Tinh… rising up in fierce struggle.

On the morning of September 12, 1930, approximately 8,000 farmers from three communes: Phu Long, Thong Lang (Hung Nguyen district) and Nam Kim (Nam Dan district), raised red flags with the hammer and sickle emblem in protest. Alarmed, the French colonial authorities ordered planes to drop bombs on the demonstration, resulting in 217 deaths, 125 injuries, and dozens of arrests.

A painting depicting the climax of the Nghe An - Thinh Hoa Soviet movement by artist Nguyen Duc Nung. (Archival photo)

From September onwards, the mass struggle movement evolved beyond the expectations of the Party committees at all levels. Armed demonstrations, supported by the Red Self-Defense Teams, saw peasants in many districts of Nghe Tinh Province launching fierce attacks on district headquarters. Faced with this revolutionary storm of the masses, the ruling government was thrown into disarray; French officials lived in constant anxiety, seeking refuge; feudal officials of the Southern Dynasty either resigned, requested transfers, or were appointed as replacements, all acting cautiously in their duties.

The Soviet State: The aspiration for the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

From the moment it was created,Soviet governmentThey have implemented benefits for working people.In terms of politicsThe Soviet Union did not recognize the colonial and feudal administrative apparatus and the laws they imposed to oppress and exploit the people. It implemented democratic freedoms for the people such as freedom of assembly, freedom of education, gender equality, etc., suppressed reactionary elements acting as puppets of the French colonialists, and assigned the task of maintaining law and order and protecting the revolution to the Red Self-Defense Teams...EconomicallyThey refused to pay taxes to the French and forced the village chiefs to return the collected taxes to the people. They compelled landowners and wealthy individuals to reduce rent, postpone debts, and abolish additional land rents for farmers. They also redefined wages for hired laborers and redistributed public land... In some places, public land was used to organize collective production for the people in the form of agricultural cooperatives.In terms of culture and society: Eliminate outdated customs and traditions, prohibit opium smoking, drinking alcohol, gambling, etc.

Vo Liet communal house, located in Vo Liet commune (Thanh Chuong district), is also a place that marks many significant historical events in the Nghe-Tinh Soviet movement (1930-1931). In 1940, Vo Liet communal house witnessed the restoration of the Vo Liet Party branch. In 1945, it was one of the gathering points for mass forces fighting to seize power and a workplace of the revolutionary government. (Photo courtesy of Huy Thu)

The policies and measures implemented by the Soviets created a new atmosphere in the countryside. The masses' trust in the Party and the revolution was clearly demonstrated. The calls of "communism" and "socialism" took on sacred meanings, serving as both ideals and slogans for the masses. They were ready to sacrifice their lives and property to fight against the terrorist policies of the French colonialists and protect the Soviets.

The Soviet government was the pinnacle of the revolutionary movement, a "earth-shattering" class struggle of the working people under the leadership of the Party. Although it was born and existed for a short period, the Soviets clearly demonstrated the superiority and progressive nature of a revolutionary government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Party's will, people's aspirations: The Party's first rehearsal.

Immediately after its founding, the Party led our people to create the revolutionary movement of 1930-1931, most notably:Nghe An - Tinh SovietThis shook the French colonial regime and its collaborators. Along with the leadership of the Central Committee of the Party, there was direct guidance from the Central Vietnam Regional Party Committee and Party committees at all levels in Nghe Tinh. The working class clearly demonstrated its leadership role and vanguard spirit. The coordination between workers' strikes and peasant demonstrations showed the close bond between the working class and the peasantry and the people in the struggle against imperialism and feudalism.

Soviet-Nghe Tinh Monument. Archival photo.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam also closely monitored and promptly directed the developments of the people's struggle movement in Nghe Tinh. In September 1930, upon receiving reports of the establishment of Soviet governments in Thanh Chuong and Nam Dan districts, the Central Committee immediately sent a directive to the Central Committee of Vietnam. The Central Committee criticized the Central Committee of Vietnam, stating that this was too early and ill-timed, as there was no direct revolutionary situation throughout the country. At the same time, the Central Committee also advised the Central Committee on how to maintain the influence of the Party and the Soviet government among the masses; correcting some mistakes in organizing demonstrations and distributing public land...

The Central Party Committee's directives promptly helped the Central Committee of Vietnam and the Party Committees of Nghe An and Ha Tinh to correct shortcomings in leading the movement. By October 1930, the Central Executive Committee of the Party issued a communiqué to inform the entire Party of the situation. The communiqué reminded localities to learn from the events in Nghe An to mobilize the masses, especially the people, in accordance with the Party's political tasks. The Central Committee instructed the entire Party to vigorously mobilize the masses to fight against the white terror of the French imperialists in support of Nghe An.ButRed vein.

The ancient banyan tree in Nhan Hau village, Nam Son commune (Do Luong district) - where the red flag with the hammer and sickle was once hoisted during the Nghe-Tinh Soviet Uprising (1930-1931). (Photo courtesy of Huy Thu)

From September 1930, the struggles of workers and peasants in Nghe Tinh were brutally suppressed by the French colonialists. In response, the Central Committee of the Party issued a declaration on defending Red Nghe An against the white terror of the imperialists. The Central Committee called on "All of us, the people of our country, must launch a broad movement, a massive wave of demonstrations throughout the country to maintain the victories gained at Ben Thuy in Red Nghe An province."

The development of the Nghe-Tinh Soviet Uprising further demonstrated the leading role of the Party and the close relationship between the Party's will and the people's aspirations. The close and timely leadership and guidance further proved the leadership capacity and role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the revolutionary movement, affirming the Party's position and prestige in the hearts of the people.

The indomitable tradition of the people of Nghe Tinh, always "rising first and foremost".

The Nghệ-Tĩnh Soviet UprisingIt is etched into history as a glorious milestone for the indomitable, resilient tradition and the "leading the way" spirit of the people of Nghe An.

When the French colonialists invaded Vietnam, the people of Nghe Tinh enthusiastically rose up against the enemy. This began with the uprising of Tran Tan and Dang Nhu Mai under the banner of "Pacify the West, Kill the Left," fighting against both the French and the Vietnamese in 1874. When King Ham Nghi issued the Can Vuong (Support the King) decree, the entire Hong Lam region blazed with the spirit of "Pacify the West, Restore the Nation" under the leadership of patriotic scholars and intellectuals. Phan Dinh Phung, with his Huong Khe uprising, became the quintessential Can Vuong banner of the entire country.

The cultural performance recreated the atmosphere of the people's struggle during the Nghe-Tinh Soviet Movement. (Photo courtesy of Duc Anh)

The patriotic movement of the people of Nghe Tinh was continuous and strong, but lacking proper leadership, it was brutally suppressed by the French colonialists. The failure of his predecessors further spurred the young Nguyen Tat Thanh to leave and seek a way to save the country; these were also important studies in his journey to find the path to national liberation.

The patriotic and revolutionary traditions of the people of Nghe An have become fertile ground for the dissemination of Marxist-Leninist ideology.leader Nguyen Ai Quocand his comrades. Through the active efforts of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and the Youth organization, Marxism-Leninism and the light of the Russian October Revolution were soon spread to Nghe Tinh. From 1925 onwards, many patriotic movements with new orientations took place in Nghe Tinh with the emergence of patriotic organizations such as Tan Viet and the Youth organization…

The Soviet spirit: Enduring values

The revolutionary high tide of 1930-1931, culminating in the Nghe-Tinh Soviet, was the first general rehearsal of our Party and people in the process of advancing towards the uprising to seize power in the August Revolution. The greatest achievement of the 1930-1931 revolutionary high tide, an achievement that the subsequent brutal white terror of imperialism and feudalism could not erase, was that it affirmed in practice the leadership right and capacity of the proletariat, and at the same time instilled in the broad masses of workers and peasants confidence in their own strength.

That was the first decisive victory for the entire subsequent development of the revolution. "Speaking directly, without the earth-shattering class struggles of 1930-1931, in which the workers and peasants unleashed their extraordinary energy, there could not have been the climax of 1936-1939..."

Provincial Party Secretary Thai Thanh Quy offers incense at the Nghe-Tinh Soviet Historical Site. (Photo courtesy of Thanh Son)

Evaluating the revolutionary movement of 1930-1931 and the Nghe-Tinh Soviet, Ho Chi Minh once wrote: “Although the French imperialists suppressed that movement in a sea of ​​blood, the Nghe-Tinh Soviet demonstrated the heroic spirit and revolutionary capacity of the Vietnamese working people; although the movement failed, it trained the forces for the later victorious August Revolution.” “More important than the Paris Commune to the French Revolution, more important than the Guangzhou Commune to the Chinese Revolution, the Nghe-Tinh Soviet was of special importance to the Vietnamese revolution. It directly and comprehensively influenced the later stages of the Vietnamese revolution…”

The Nghe-Tinh Soviet also shocked international public opinion. In the letter ofCommunist InternationalA letter sent to the Communist Parties of France, China, and India on February 27, 1931, noted: "The vibrant revolutionary movement in Indochina has contributed to increasing communist influence in the colonies, especially in the Eastern countries." At its 11th Plenary Session on April 11, 1931, the Executive Committee of the Communist International recognized the Indochinese Communist Party as an independent branch directly under the Communist International.

The Vinh Prison Memorial in the grounds of the Nghe-Tinh Soviet Museum. The two photos below show: The memorial bears an inscription expressing the unwavering loyalty of the communists; a bas-relief illustrating the indomitable struggle of revolutionary fighters and patriotic citizens in Vinh Prison. (Photo courtesy of Phuoc Anh)

Building upon the spirit of the Nghe-Tinh Soviet in the comprehensive national renewal process, perfecting guidelines, policies, and mechanisms that align with the trends of the times and the legitimate aspirations and interests of the people is essential to creating momentum and combined strength for the national renewal process.

Communist Party of VietnamPromoting noble values ​​and defining national unity as both a primary goal and a top priority, the red thread running through the Party's revolutionary line: "National unity is a strategic guideline, a powerful driving force and a tremendous resource for building and defending the Fatherland. Strengthening national unity, based on the alliance of the working class with the peasantry and the intelligentsia, under the leadership of the Party."The Nghe An-Tinh Hoa Soviet will forever be a source of pride and inspiration, empowering the people of Nghe An to steadfastly advance on the revolutionary path, promote the cause of reform and integration, and build Nghe An into "a prosperous province" as President Ho Chi Minh wished.