Abstract of the doctoral dissertation by Nguyen Thi Ngan

INTRODUCTION

1. Reasons for choosing the topic

To carry out uprisings and revolutionary wars, we must answer the question: Where do we rely on and where do we get the strength to win? That is, we must solve the problem of the potential of uprisings and revolutionary wars, ensuring the supply of human resources, material resources, and political and spiritual encouragement. Ho Chi Minh affirmed, "To launch an uprising, we must have a base area; to wage resistance, we must have a rear area" [78, p.173].

According to Marxist-Leninist viewpoint, the rear is one of the factors that consistently determines the victory of war: “To wage war effectively, there must be a solidly organized rear. The best army, the most loyal to the revolutionary cause, will be immediately destroyed by the enemy if they are not adequately armed, supplied with food, and trained [136, p. 497].

Throughout the nation's history of resistance against foreign invaders, whenever the leaders of uprisings and revolutionary wars rose up to fight for and defend national independence, they knew how to establish a foothold, focusing on leveraging favorable human and geographical conditions to build and develop their forces.

Building upon the nation's tradition of fighting invaders and defending the country, and embracing the Marxist-Leninist theory of revolutionary warfare, during the resistance war against French colonial aggression, with its all-encompassing, people-to-people resistance strategy, the Party launched a large-scale people's war, mobilizing the entire population to fight the enemy with the three branches of the armed forces as the core, in which the militia and guerrilla forces and guerrilla warfare played a crucial role. One of the Party's great successes in launching guerrilla warfare was its guidance of the army and people in simultaneously fighting the enemy and building the nation, establishing a system of guerrilla zones and bases as footholds for the resistance forces, serving as springboards for attacks in enemy-occupied areas, contributing to the dispersal, division, containment, and destruction of the enemy's military forces, thwarting the enemy's military and political schemes, and contributing to the nurturing of revolutionary forces during the resistance war.

A guerrilla zone is: “a residential area located in the enemy-occupied zone, where guerrilla warfare activities of the resistance forces take place and where there are frequent clashes and struggles with the enemy to gain complete control” [35, p. 445]. A guerrilla base is: “a liberated residential area located in the enemy-occupied zone and becoming a base for guerrilla warfare” [35, p. 78]. The characteristics of a guerrilla base are: The enemy's government has been overthrown; the enemy's armed forces have been destroyed; reactionary political organizations have disintegrated, spies and revolutionary reactionary elements may be planted by the enemy but must operate secretly; a revolutionary government has been established and manages all social activities, and revolutionary organizations operate openly. However, the guerrilla base is still surrounded by the enemy, threatened by the enemy, so the situation is not yet truly stable. The guerrilla base is gradually consolidated and becomes a liberated zone.

During the resistance war against French colonialism, numerous guerrilla bases and revolutionary base camps were widely established, becoming the rear base of the guerrilla war, allowing it to flourish and dismantle the occupying forces' system. The process of building and defending these bases was a long and arduous struggle, transforming the enemy's rear base into the front line of the revolutionary war, thereby expanding our resistance rear base in the temporarily occupied areas. Guerrilla bases truly became footholds for armed forces, providing manpower and resources for the resistance. Although varying in scale, these bases and camps were all the rear base of the guerrilla war and people's war in the local area. At the same time, they also served as footholds for main army units on their way to attack enemy-controlled areas for operations or to withdraw to free zones to rebuild their forces. In other words, guerrilla bases and camps were both the front line and the rear base of the revolutionary war. The emergence of the KDK and CCDK was a strategic innovation of the Vietnamese Party and people, making the rear area of ​​people's war distinctly different from the rear area of ​​conventional war, and especially indistinguishable from the front lines.

However, the process of building the KDK and CCDK was fraught with fluctuations, as the resistance forces constantly had to contend with enemy sweeps. Sometimes, a CCDK would be fiercely attacked by the enemy's concentrated mobile forces and war equipment, re-establishing their repressive apparatus and occupation, forcing it to retreat to the level of a KDK, sometimes leaving only its political base or becoming a completely uninhabited area. Conversely, sometimes, interconnected fighting villages could develop into KDKs, or advance directly into interconnected CCDKs, a vast liberated zone. The process of building KDKs and CCDKs from a political base was arduous, involving many twists and turns, even temporary setbacks. Depending on the balance of forces, CCDKs were sometimes reduced in size, and sometimes expanded, but generally, across the country, CCDKs continued to expand. “When the whole people rose up to fight the enemy, wherever we went, we met our troops. Each of our guerrilla bases in the enemy-controlled area was like being surrounded by the enemy, but all the guerrilla bases, together with our vast free zone, formed a net to encircle the enemy troops” [111, p.1024].

Building the CCDK (Central Committee for the Resistance Movement) is the result of the movement to build fighting villages, because the seeds of resistance must arise from villages. Villages are the base and roots of the resistance movement; many interconnected resistance villages form a KDK or CCDK. "It can be likened to individual bricks, guerrilla bases are the walls, and the combined strength and effect of the fighting villages create great power and effect" [117, p.40].

The construction of the rear base is a prime example of the Party's creativity in applying Marxist-Leninist theory on building the rear base in people's war, aiming to mobilize the entire population to participate in the resistance, making every citizen a soldier and every village a fortress.

Hung Yen is a land of outstanding people and rich history – located in the heart of the Northern Delta, possessing a particularly important strategic position. During the resistance war against French colonial invaders, the army and people of Hung Yen, under the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee, waged a long and heroic struggle to defend their homeland. In that arduous battle, the Hung Yen Military Zones and Combat Zones were successively established, playing a crucial role in the fight and becoming symbols of the indomitable spirit of the Hung Yen Party Committee and people.

Numerous scientific works, documents, and books have been written about the resistance war against the French in Hung Yen province during the period 1946-1954, but no comprehensive study has yet investigated the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in building the local rear base, a type of on-site rear base during the resistance war against the French. Therefore, researching the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee's leadership in building the local rear base during the resistance war against the French will not only contribute to clarifying the implementation of the Party's people's war strategy but also help understand the role of the local rear base in the resistance war against the French in Hung Yen province.

Currently, Vietnam is entering a new stage of development with new opportunities and challenges. The task of building the nation is closely linked to the task of firmly defending the nation, protecting the achievements of the revolution in each locality to prevent enemy aggression, which is a necessary issue.

Studying the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in building the revolutionary base during the resistance war against French colonialism (1946-1954) is essential to draw historical lessons, contribute to educating local revolutionary traditions, summarize local defense work, and serve the current cause of national defense.

For these reasons, I chose the topic:The Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee led the construction of guerrilla bases during the resistance war against the French (1946-1954).This doctoral dissertation in History, specializing in the History of the Communist Party of Vietnam, aims to contribute to summarizing the entire policy of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in the process of building the national defense system during the period 1946-1954, while also evaluating the successes and limitations, and drawing lessons to apply in building the national defense system in the locality today.

2. Research objectives and tasks

Research objectives

This thesis clarifies the leadership process of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in building the revolutionary base during the resistance war against the French (1946-1954), thereby drawing some valuable lessons for reference.

Research task

ButAn overview of the research situation related to the topic.

ButGathering and systematizing documents on the process of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee leading the construction of the revolutionary base during the resistance war against French colonialism (1946-1954).

ButAnalyzing the factors influencing the process by which the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee led the construction of the revolutionary base during the resistance war against the French (1946 - 1954).

ButAnalyzing the policies and guidance of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in implementing the construction of the revolutionary base during the resistance war against the French (1946 - 1954).

- Analyze the advantages, limitations, and historical lessons learned from the process of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee leading the construction of the revolutionary base during the resistance war against the French (1946 - 1954).

3. Research Subjects and Scope

 Research subjects

Research on the factors influencing the policy-making process of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee regarding the construction of the revolutionary base during the resistance war against the French.

A study on the policies of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in leading the construction of the CCDK (Community-Based Development Program).

This study examines the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in building the CCDK (Community Development Center) in various aspects: political, military, economic, and socio-cultural.

            Scope of research

            Regarding the content:This thesis focuses on researching the factors affecting the process of building the CCDK (Community Development Center for the Gifted) in Hung Yen province, such as natural conditions, socio-economic conditions, historical and cultural traditions, and the Party's general policy on building the CCDK.

Research on the enemy's schemes and tactics in occupying the Northern Delta, including Hung Yen province.

This dissertation studies the policies of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee regarding the construction of the CCDK (Community Development and Development Center).

This dissertation studies the process of building, developing, and operating local armed forces, especially guerrilla militia forces.

This dissertation studies the process of building the CCDK (Communist Party of Vietnam), from the initial political foundations preparing for the emergence of the KDKs (Regional Committees of the Communist Party of Vietnam) and the CCDK, to the leadership in building and protecting the CCDK in political, military, economic, and socio-cultural aspects. This includes the struggles against enemy sweeps to protect the CCDK, thwarting the plot of "using war to finance war, using Vietnamese to fight Vietnamese."

Research on the formation and development of several specific KDK and CCDK in Hung Yen province.

            In terms of spaceThis research covers the entire Hung Yen province, particularly the military zones and combat zones established during the resistance war against the French in the province.

            Regarding timeThis thesis studies the process by which the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee led the construction of the Resistance Zones and Resistance Centers from 1946 to 1954. This period spans from the outbreak of the nationwide resistance war (December 19, 1946) to the end of the resistance war against the French in Hung Yen province (October 1954). The research also addresses the period before December 19, 1946, to clarify the influencing factors and preparatory work for building the Resistance Zones and Resistance Centers in Hung Yen province in the later period.

 4. Theoretical basis, sources of information, and research methods

Theoretical basis

This dissertation is based on the theoretical foundations of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and the Party's major viewpoints on the policy of building a democratic, democratic, and civilized society.

Source of information

The dissertation topic is based on a collection of primary sources, including both written and unwritten documents.

Written sources include the works of Marx and Engels, and Ho Chi Minh on the Constitution, the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the Democratic Revolution; documents of the Communist Party of Vietnam, resolutions, decisions, directives, and reports of the Inter-regional Committee III and the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee; and specialized books, dissertations, scientific research projects, and published research works on the Constitution and the Democratic Revolution. These are invaluable resources for completing the dissertation.

Unwritten sources of information, such as memoirs, stories, and accounts from historical witnesses, enrich the content of this dissertation. These sources provide valuable reference material for the doctoral candidate, given the limitations of local archiving during the resistance against the French.

Research methods

Based on the general theoretical foundation of Marxism-Leninism, the author has used methods of historical science such as the historical method and the logical method. The thesis also employs other methods such as analysis, synthesis, comparison, and statistics. Specifically:

The historical method is primarily used in Chapters 2 and 3 to periodize history from (December 1946 to December 1950; from January 1950 to October 1954), systematizing the viewpoints and policies of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee according to the historical progression in each chapter and section to clearly show the formation and development of the guidelines and policies for building the revolutionary base, proving the assessments and summarizing the historical content.

The logical method is used in all four chapters of the thesis. In Chapters 2 and 3, the logical method is used to connect the main events, summarize the specific historical context, the key contents in each document and resolution, and link those contents to see the process of understanding and developing the guidelines and policies of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in leading the construction of the revolutionary base, and to summarize the process of directing the implementation of the policy of building the revolutionary base in each chapter. In Chapter 4, the logical method is mainly used to summarize the advantages and limitations, and draw historical lessons from the process of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee leading the construction of the revolutionary base during the resistance war against France (1946-1954).

In addition, the author also uses analytical, synthetic, statistical, and comparative methods to enhance the persuasiveness of the issues raised in the thesis.

5. Scientific contributions of the thesis

Based on the clearly defined research objectives of the thesis, the thesis makes the following contributions:

Regarding the documentation:Contributing to the collection and systematization of historical sources for the construction of the Hung Yen province's historical records during the resistance war against the French (1946 - 1954).

Regarding contentThis dissertation analyzes and clarifies the factors influencing and controlling the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in building the revolutionary base during the resistance war against France (1946-1954).

This paper systematically presents and analyzes the entire Party's policy on building the revolutionary base area during the period (1946-1954). Simultaneously, it examines the process by which the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee implemented the Party's policies, leading and directing the construction of the revolutionary base area in all aspects – political, military, cultural, and social – during the resistance war against the French (1946-1954). Through this, it assesses the strengths and weaknesses, aiming to draw historical lessons.

This dissertation can serve as a resource for education and propaganda in local defense development, and as a reference for teaching history in Hung Yen province.

6. Structure of the thesis

Besides the introduction, bibliography, and appendix, the thesis is structured into four chapters:

            Chapter 1Overview of research related to the dissertation topic.

            Chapter 2:The Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee led the construction of the initial foundations for the establishment of guerrilla zones (1946-1950).

            Chapter 3The Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee led the construction and protection of guerrilla zones and bases (1951-1954).

            Chapter 4Comments and experiences

Chapter 1

OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH RELATED TO

DISSERTATION TOPIC

1.1. Research Status

1.1.1. Group of research works related to the construction of guerrilla bases in the Vietnam People's War

1.1.1.1. Research works by foreign scholars

General Henri Navarre, Commander-in-Chief of the French army in Indochina (1953-1954), published the book...Indochina is dying.(Plong Publishing House, Paris, 1956) is the memoir of the Commander-in-Chief of the French Army in Indochina after the defeat in the Dien Bien Phu campaign.La Guerre d'indochine - l'enlisemenLucien Bodard's work (Paris Publishers, 1963), comprising three volumes, is a work about the Indochina War, particularly the difficulties faced by the French in waging war, from the failures of French generals to the quagmire in the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Other works include: "Two Wars of Vietnam" by George Chaffard, Round Table Publishers, Paris, 1969; "Twenty Years of Tearing Apart France" by Claude Paya, Lappong Publishers, Paris, 1969; and "A Regime's End" by Raoul Salan. "History of the Indochina War" by Yvesgra (Plong Publishers, Paris, 1979). "War in the Shadows: The Guerrilla in History" by Robert B. Asprey Vol. 2 (New York Publishers, 1975) is a two-volume set of books about the war in Vietnam during the two resistance wars against France and the United States.

1.1.1.2. Research works by domestic scholars

book setHistory of the Resistance War against French Colonialism 1945-1954, Volumes I and IIof the Vietnam Military History Institute (People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 1994).Summary of the resistance war against French colonialism - victories and lessons learnedof the Steering Committee for the Review of the War - under the Political Bureau (National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 1996).The rear area of ​​the Vietnamese People's War (1945 – 1975)of the Vietnam Military History Institute, Ministry of National Defence (People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 1997).History of Vietnamese Military Thought - Volume 4(1945-1975) by the Vietnam Military History Institute, (National Political Publishing House - Truth, Hanoi, 2014).The Party's military line: its history, development, and basic content., (National Political Publishing House - Hanoi, 2019) by author Vu Quang Hien is a very elaborate research work on the military strategy of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Most of these studies affirm that the foundation of the Vietnamese revolutionary war encompassed everything from the political base to the rear area, including a strategic rear area and a local rear area, with both mountainous and lowland rear areas.

In 1989, author Ngo Dang Tri successfully defended his doctoral dissertation with the topic:The rear base of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh provinces during the resistance war against the French from 1946 to 1954.In 2006, author Tran Ngoc Long successfully defended his doctoral thesis in History with the topic:U Minh Base Area during the two wars of resistance against French and American aggression., Vietnam Military History Institute. Research on local issues, in 2015, Nguyen Thi Thu Quyen successfully defended her doctoral thesis:The Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee led the building of local armed forces during the resistance war against the French (1945-1954), Doctoral dissertation in Party History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

In addition, there are many scientific research papers and in-depth studies on the CCD, HP, and CCDK in the resistance war against the French, such as: Nguyen Quoc Dung (1984)The strength of the nationwide rear area in the Dien Bien Phu campaign., Journal of Party History. Vu Quang Hien (2000),The guerrilla warfare movement in the Northern Delta coordinated with the Hoa Binh campaign during the 1951-1952 Winter-Spring campaign., pages 18-22, Journal of Historical Studies. Vu Quang Hien (1990)), Khanh Trung - Khanh Thien guerrilla zone during the resistance war against the French,No. 1, page 25, Journal of Military History. Vu Quang Hien (1997)Guerrilla bases in the Northern Delta (1946-1954), source material and research methods.No. 6, page 63, Journal of Military History; Le Thanh Bai (1999),The fighting village is a typical example of "the whole people fighting the enemy" in the resistance war against the French.No. 115, page 19, Journal of Military History; Hoang Phuong (2000),Lessons from the nationwide movement to rise up in resistance against foreign invaders (1945-1975)Pages 72-74, National Defense Magazine; Vu Van Ba ​​(2001),A brief overview of fighting villages, guerrilla zones, and guerrilla bases in the enemy-occupied plains of Military Region 3.Issue 3, page 12, Journal of Military History.

1.1.2. Group of research works related to constructionguerrilla base in Hung Yen

Nguyen Quyet - former Political Commissar of Military Region III - wrote the book "Some experiences in local military work.(People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi 1978).

The bookHistory of the resistance war against the French in the left bank of the Red River 1945 - 1955of the Steering Committee for the compilation of historical works on the resistance war against the French in the left bank of the Red River (National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2001). The Command of Military Region III published the book.History of the General Staff of Military Region III (1945 - 2000)(People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2000). The Command of Military Region III has published 4 volumes of books onTypical battles fought by the armed forces of Military Region 3 during the two wars of resistance against France and the United States.(Published by the People's Army Publishing House in 1991, 1994, 1997, and 2008).Some guerrilla bases in the Northern Delta during the resistance war against the French (1945 - 1954)By author Vu Quang Hien (People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2001). The book clarifies the formation and development process of several large militia units in the Northern Delta during the resistance war against the French, such as the Khanh Trung - Khanh Thien militia unit (Ninh Binh province); the Than Dau - Than Huong militia unit (Thai Binh province); the Hoa - Hau - Thang militia unit (Ha Nam); the Tien - Que - Vo militia unit (Bac Ninh)... Through the formation and development process of these militia units, the author has identified the general laws of the construction process of these militia units, and initially drawn some observations and lessons learned in leading the construction of militia units.The Party leads the constructionGuerrilla base in the Northern Delta (1946-1954),(National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2001). Book:Fighting villages in the Northern Delta region during the resistance war against French colonialism (1945 - 1954)By author Le Thanh Bai (People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2019). This book is about the fighting villages in the Red River Delta during the resistance war against the French.

1.1.3. Group of research works on the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in constructionguerrilla base

CoilHistory of the resistance war against the French in Hai Hung province (1945 - 1954)The book by the Military Command of Hai Hung Province (published in 1988) is a scientific work on the local history of the two provinces of Hung Yen and Hai Duong (when they were merged).The book "History of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee, Volume 1"(1929 - 1954) by the Executive Committee of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee (National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 1998). This book comprehensively reflects the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in the resistance war against the French in all aspects, fully and truthfully reflecting a historical period full of hardship, sacrifice, but also extremely heroic and glorious for the Party Committee and people of Hung Yen.Hung Yen: History of the resistance war against French colonialism and American imperialism (1945 - 1975)of the Party Committee - Military Command of Hung Yen province (People's Army Publishing House, 2002). The bookHistory of the Hung Yen Provincial Military Party Committee 1947 - 2012of the Party Committee and the Military Command of Hung Yen province (People's Army Publishing House, 2013). Implementing Resolution No. 10-NQ of the Central Military Party Committee dated January 8, 1999 and Directive 28-CT-DU of the Party Committee of Military Region 3 on “Promoting research and enhancing the role of military history in the new era."From 2014 to 2016, the Party Committees and Military Commands of the districts in Hung Yen province published books on the history of the revolutionary struggle of their respective districts, notably:Military history of Khoai Chau district (1945-2015)People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2015Military history of Van Lam district (1945 - 2015)People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2015Military history of Kim Dong district (1945-2015)People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2015Military history of Tien Lu district (1945-2014)People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2016.

1.2. Evaluation of research results and issues for further research in the thesis.

1.2.1. Issues that have been resolved

Regarding content

The firstMost of the works, which are monographs written about CCD, HP, and CCDK, have presented these points.Basic concepts of base areas; rear areas (local rear areas, strategic rear areas), especially types of rear areas such as: political bases; guerrilla zones; guerrilla bases.(See Appendix 1).

Secondly, the Party's policies on building guerrilla bases during the resistance war against the French.

Thirdly, regarding the favorable and unfavorable conditions in the process of building the CCDK (Community-Based Development Council).especially the Red River Delta region

Fourth, the general laws governing the formation and development of economic and cultural foundations.

Fifth, the Party's lessons learned from building the Party's grassroots organizations and the Party's revolutionary base.

Sixth, regarding the policy of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee on building industrial zones and industrial clusters.

Regarding documentation

Through central and local archives such as the National Archives Center III, the Central Party Office, the Ministry of National Defense Archives, and the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee Archives—which are highly reliable original document repositories—the author was able to conduct in-depth research on the process by which the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee led the construction of guerrilla bases in each specific historical period.

Regarding methodology

Most research studies employ approaches such as historical methodology, logical methodology, induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis, as well as methods like enumeration and comparison.

1.2.2. Issues that the dissertation will continue to research in depth.

The firstFactors influencing the policy-making process of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in building the revolutionary base during the resistance war against French colonialism.Monday,The situation of French colonial occupation in Hung Yen province.Tuesday,In implementing the Party's policy on building rear areas and base areas, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee has set forth policies for building and protecting the rear areas and base areas in each specific historical period.Wednesday,Analyze the practical operational guidance measures aimed at realizing the Party Committee's policies in the process of building the grassroots organizations.Thursday,The strengths and weaknesses of the Party Committee in leading the construction of the CCDK (Community Development and Development Program) were analyzed, and lessons learned were drawn from the Party Committee's experience.

Chapter 1 Summary

Building the revolutionary base, the revolutionary base, and the revolutionary base in the Vietnamese people's war is a fundamental content of the Party's military line, and a topic that has attracted the attention and research of many agencies, organizations, individuals, and scientists both domestically and internationally. With a rich number of works, approached from different research angles and scopes, these studies have initially analyzed theoretical and practical issues concerning the Party's leadership in building the revolutionary base, the revolutionary base, and the revolutionary base in general, and the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee's leadership in building the revolutionary base in particular.

Based on an overview of research related to the topic, the doctoral candidate systematizes the literature, summarizes the research results of various works, selectively incorporates content that can be inherited, and points out issues that have not yet been clearly researched. Applying Marxist historiography methodology, and based on the subject matter, function, and tasks of the Science of Party History, the doctoral candidate identifies the "gaps"—the issues that the dissertation will continue to research. Therefore, the topic..."The Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee led the construction of guerrilla bases during the resistance war against the French (1946-1954)"This is an independent topic, not overlapping with previously published works, and has profound theoretical and practical significance.

Chapter 2

THE HUNG YEN PROVINCIAL PARTY COMMITTEE LEADS THE BUILDING OF THE INITIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GUERRILLA ZONES (1946-1950)

2.1. Policies of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee

2.1.1. Factors influencing the Party Committee's policy planning

2.1.1.1. Natural conditions, socio-economic conditions, historical and cultural traditions

Natural conditions

Socioeconomic conditions

Historical and cultural traditions

2.1.1.2. Preparations before the National Resistance Day (December 19, 1946)

It can be said that, from the successful August Revolution until the start of the nationwide resistance war, preparations for the resistance war in Hung Yen were carried out urgently and achieved many positive results. The initial results in Party building, consolidating the government at all levels, building the armed forces, establishing fighting villages, and strengthening all aspects of the people's socio-economic life were crucial foundations for maintaining the revolutionary government and creating the groundwork for building resistance zones and revolutionary settlements later on.

2.1.1.3.Party's policy

With the outbreak of the nationwide resistance war, the issue of building guerrilla bases and revolutionary bases continued to be raised and became an extremely urgent issue. It can be seen that, in the initial stage, the basic rule of building base areas must start from the secret political base of the masses. However, as the forces develop further, the revolutionary foothold cannot only be a political base but must move towards establishing guerrilla bases and revolutionary base areas. The 4th National Conference of Militia and Local Forces (May 14 to June 4, 1950) clearly stated: "Based on the development of guerrilla warfare in each locality and the victories of mobile warfare, build guerrilla base areas behind the enemy to create small rear areas in temporarily occupied regions, creating conditions for the main army, local army and command agencies to operate" [62, p.4].

Building and consolidating the guerrilla base areas into guerrilla base areas is the ultimate victory of each campaign. However, the process of building guerrilla base areas must always be accompanied by protection, "we need to have a plan ready to deal with the enemy when they counterattack again…Our base area is very likely to be recaptured by the enemy and then the base area will revert to the state of a guerrilla zone [62, p.45].

2.1.2. Policies of the Party Committee

Based on the method of building the revolutionary base in the delta as outlined by the Central Party Committee, especially at the 2nd Central Cadre Conference (April 1947), the Congress decided:Countering enemy small-scale raids, developing village guerrillas, dismantling the enemy's puppet government and building our own government, and imposing an economic blockade on the enemy.” [164, p.10]. The Congress's policy is an important basis for Party committees at all levels, especially those in temporarily occupied areas, to direct cadres and armed propaganda teams to restore lost bases, primarily political bases.

In accordance with the spirit of the Central Party Committee and the tasks assigned by the Third Regional Party Committee, and based on the practical situation, immediately upon receiving the Central Party Committee's Directive of October 15, 1947, on "Breaking the French enemy's winter offensive," the Provincial Party Committee convened its advisory bodies and formulated a plan for the various regions. In February 1948, the Second Hung Yen Provincial Party Congress was held in Hoang Xa (Tien Lu). With the spirit of:All for the military."""Military first,"The Congress advocated the deployment of thousands of cadres and Party members to serve as military officers, while also directing companies stationed in the province to penetrate deep into enemy-occupied areas to rebuild bases and launch guerrilla warfare movements. Following the viewpoint of the Inter-regional Committee III, from April 1st to April 20th, 1950, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee held a Cadre Conference in Quy Son (Kim Bang – Ha Nam). The conference advocated: "Focusing on the interior, staying close to the land and people to build the movement, primarily building guerrilla forces, establishing fighting villages, resisting enemy sweeps, and preparing for a general offensive against the puppet regime; bringing troops back to the interior; dispersing and guiding militia and guerrilla fighters… gathering cadres and Party members who had previously remained dormant to assign tasks."”[3, p.232]. In particular, regarding the issue of building base areas, the Conference advocated: "each district must build a continuous guerrilla zone, the province must build a separate base area for practical leadership" [6, p.53]. At the end of 1950, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee met at the Tien - Duyen - Hung base area (Thai Binh) to review the situation and discuss the policy and tasks for restoring the movement. The Conference discussed many issues such as: Reviewing the implementation of the Resolution of the Provincial Party Committee Conference in April 1950;

In summary, during the years 1946-1950, the policy of building a revolutionary base was one of the important policies of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee. The policy of building a revolutionary base by the Provincial Party Committee was a process of development from a low to a high level, from incomplete to more complete, initially formed at the beginning of the resistance war and continuously supplemented and developed in the following years.

2.2. Guidance from the Party Committee

2.2.1. Directing the establishment of the initial foundations for the creation of guerrilla zones.

2.2.1.1. Directing efforts to counter enemy encroachment and protect the territory.

2.2.1.2. Directing the restoration of facilities in temporarily occupied areas.

2.2.1.3.Directing the fight against the enemy.encroachmentand strengthen in all aspectsliveadjacent areaandfree zone

2.2.2. Construction guidancesome of the first guerrilla zones

By November 1949, the initial political foundations for the establishment of the KDK and CCDK had yielded many positive results. As a result, by the end of June 1950, Company 95, together with the people, had established bases in Hoang Xa, Hoang Cac, Phu Oanh, Lai Khe, Ngu Lao, Pham Xa, Ha Cat, Ha Linh, Duyen Linh, Duyet Le, Hoang Tranh, Ngoc Tranh, Que Lam (Phu Cu), Kim Dang, Xich Dang (Hung Yen town), and 15 other villages in Tien Lu. Vu Ho Company had established bases in 21 villages in Kim Dong district and 16 villages in Khoai Chau. Thanh Binh Company had bases in 22 villages in An Thi and 9 villages in Yen My. By the end of August 1950, "the whole province had restored the base in 102 villages, meeting the basic requirement of developing and consolidating the base among the people; promoting armed activities in enemy territory" [3, p.239].These are the first images of the KDKs in Hung Yen.

Chapter 2 Summary

During the first five years of the resistance war against the French in Hung Yen province, the French colonialists, with their superior military strength, firepower, and mobile means, tried every means to conquer Hung Yen, turning it into the most difficult region on the northern battlefield.

However, with its rich historical and cultural traditions, patriotic spirit, and self-reliance, under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee vigorously implemented the all-people, all-encompassing resistance war. The Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee thoroughly grasped the Central Party Committee's viewpoint on the people's war strategy and the strategy for building revolutionary and civil defense forces, and effectively directed and organized specific tasks, creating conditions for the emergence of revolutionary and civil defense zones.

The process of rebuilding the base was a difficult and complex one, a struggle between our forces and the enemy. There were times when it seemed the Provincial Party Committee had successfully directed the construction of the resistance zones and was moving towards building the revolutionary base areas, but then the French colonialists launched sweeps, driving our forces out of the area. In that struggle, the Party Committee not only learned valuable lessons in leading the resistance but also witnessed the indomitable fighting spirit of the people of Hung Yen. Among the base areas in Hung Yen, perhaps the base in the hearts of the people was the most solid. This was the decisive factor in the Party Committee's successful leadership in building the revolutionary base areas in the following period.

Chapter 3

THE HUNG YEN PROVINCIAL PARTY COMMITTEE LEADS THE CONSTRUCTION AND PROTECTION OF THE PROVINCE.GUERRILLA ZONE,GUERRILLA BASE(1951But1954)

3.1. Policies of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee

3.1.1. New elementsimpact

3.1.1.1.Situationnew conflict

 On the French colonial sideFollowing the heavy defeat on the 1950 Autumn-Winter Border Front, the French colonialists found themselves in an extremely difficult and perplexing situation. To salvage the situation, the French government had to seek aid from the United States and simultaneously appointed General De Lattre de Tassigny (December 6, 1950), former Commander of the French 1st Army, to replace the previous commander in Indochina. However, even until 1953, the French colonial war plans still failed to completely control the Indochina region. Faced with this situation, on May 8, 1953, with the approval of the United States, the French government sent General Navarre to be the commander-in-chief of the French expeditionary forces in Indochina, attempting to intensify the war in an attempt to "find a way out with honor."

            TowardVietnamese resistance forcesFollowing the 1950 Autumn-Winter Border Campaign, the Vietnamese resistance forces showed significant maturity. Taking the initiative in offensive operations, the Central Committee of the Party advocated launching further offensive campaigns, primarily targeting the midland and northern delta regions, to annihilate enemy forces, develop guerrilla warfare, disrupt the French colonialists' plans to consolidate their forces and pacify the northern delta, and maintain the initiative on the Northern battlefield.

3.1.1.2.Policynewof the Party

From February 11th to 19th, 1951, the Second National Congress of the Party was held. The Congress adopted many important documents, including the report "Building the People's Army to Complete the Liberation War" presented by Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap. In Part II of the report, General Vo Nguyen Giap dedicated a large section (Section VII) to the issue of the People's Army.

To direct the struggle to continue advancing, on January 20, 1952, the Central Committee of the Party issued a Directive to intensify guerrilla warfare in the Northern battlefield. Based on the assessment: "Our base in enemy-occupied territory has developed, and guerrilla warfare is intensifying" [89, p. 4], the Directive identified the tasks to be carried out in the coming period, namely: consolidating the base, intensifying the guerrilla movement, and expanding and consolidating the guerrilla base. Regarding the issue of expanding and consolidating the guerrilla base, the Directive emphasized: "We must concentrate most of the capable cadres here to solve the problem, we cannot be equal like in other places… The main bases that need to be built are: Tien Lu, Phu Cu - Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Tien - Duyen - Hung (Thai Binh) areas" [89, p. 9].

Development must go hand in hand with consolidation, and construction must be linked with protection. On January 26, 1952, anticipating that the French colonialists, upon withdrawing from Hoa Binh, would concentrate their troops and launch large-scale sweeps, the Party Central Committee issued a directive to the Inter-regional Committee III and the Provincial Party Committees.Develop and strengthen guerrilla zones andguerrilla baseActively preparing to resist enemy raids..In summary, from the beginning of 1951 until the end of the resistance war against French colonialism in 1954, the Party implemented many policies and measures in building the revolutionary base areas and revolutionary revolutionary centers.

3.1.2. Policies of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee

The victory at the Border in 1950 ushered the Vietnamese people's resistance into a new phase; however, during this period, Hung Yen province remained almost completely occupied by the enemy. In accordance with the Directive of January 26, 1952, of the Central Party Secretariat on “Develop and strengthen guerrilla zones and bases, and actively prepare to counter enemy sweeps."On March 29, 1952, the Standing Committee of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee held an expanded meeting and passed a Resolution on...""Kconstruction and protection planguerrilla zoneand a plan to consolidate, develop, and maintain a base in the temporarily occupied zone.".This can be considered a thematic resolution of the Provincial Party Committee on leading the construction of industrial zones and industrial clusters in the new phase.

3.2. Guidance from the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee

3.2.1. Guidanceopen andbuildguerrilla zones,guerrilla base(1-1951up to 4-1952)

* Directing the opening of guerrilla zonesand guerrilla base

Following their defeat at the Border in 1950, the French colonialists resumed their sweeping operations in the Red River Delta. The fighting villages and resistance zones in Hung Yen province, formed during the summer and autumn of 1950, were gradually destroyed and lost due to French attacks. On December 30, 1950, the Provincial Party Committee decided to establish new resistance zones, but this was not implemented due to heavy French attacks. On March 6, 1951, the French launched the "Dragon" offensive, attacking Phan Tay Ho commune, establishing the Canh Hoach outpost, and pacifying the last remaining fighting village in the province.

However, opportunities to establish guerrilla zones opened up for the people and military of Hung Yen when the Central Party Committee decided to launch large-scale offensives into the midland and northern delta regions. Implementing the policy of the Provincial Party Committee Conference on December 30, 1950, regarding the establishment of guerrilla zones, from March 1951 to 1952, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee directed the establishment of 18 guerrilla zones, forming one main guerrilla cluster in Phu Cu - Tien Lu.

Phu Cu - Tien Lu guerrilla base

Phu Cu and Tien Lu are two districts located in the southern part of Hung Yen province. To the south, they border Hung Ha and Quynh Phu districts (Thai Binh province), separated by the Luoc River. To the east, Phu Cu district borders Thanh Mien district (Hai Duong province), separated by the Cuu An River. Both of these areas were strong resistance zones in the years 1951-1952. Before 1951, despite being repeatedly attacked by the French colonialists, both Phu Cu and Tien Lu districts had strong political bases. Phu Cu district was considered "a district with a fairly strong movement in the province, protecting the provincial headquarters even during the most difficult times" [134, p. 101]. Meanwhile, Tien Lu district was also assessed by the Provincial Party Committee as "one of the districts with strong resistance forces in the province, capable of defeating large-scale enemy sweeps" [96, p. 109].

Under those conditions, after the French colonialists reoccupied the entire province, from March 1951, the Provincial Party Committee's policy was to rebuild these areas to "become guerrilla zones as a springboard for all sectors of activity" [12, p.1] on that basis "to build and advance into guerrilla bases" [192, p.10].

The Phu Cu-Tien Lu guerrilla base was formed through a long process of struggle, developing from a low to a high level, from small, fragmented units to eventually expanding and unifying into a solid, interconnected entity.

In terms of scope, the Phu Cu - Tien Lu CCDK is the process of expanding and merging a series of CCDKs such asEast Phu Cu guerrilla zone (First guerrilla zone); Guerrilla zoneNorth of Phu Cu and southeast of An Thi(Second KDK); Northern and central Tien Lu guerrilla zone (third guerrilla zone); Southern Tien Lu guerrilla zone (eighth guerrilla zone));Phu Cu Central Guerrilla ZoneKDK No. 14) andSouthern Phu Cu and southern Tien Lu guerrilla zones (18th guerrilla zone).This guerrilla base was protected by a series of outer guerrilla bases formed in neighboring districts such as Kim Dong, Khoai Chau, An Thi and connected with the Tien-Duyen-Hung guerrilla base (Thai Binh) and the Thanh Mien guerrilla base (Hai Duong) to "become a large guerrilla base of 3 provinces Hai Duong, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, the basic area and base of the Left Bank front, the place where the 320th Division was stationed" [96, p.126].

In terms of construction, it was the process of consolidating each KDK. Whenever a KDK was opened, the Provincial Party Committee usually directed the forces to "stop for a while to consolidate their forces in all aspects" [21, p.92] to prepare to defeat enemy attacks and maintain the opened KDK. For example, when the first three KDKs were opened, the Provincial Party Committee issued a Resolution in July 1951 which included the content of "consolidating the Phu Cu and Tien Lu guerrilla zones and preparing to develop them in districts with suitable conditions" [3, p.253].

            * Directing comprehensive construction in guerrilla zones and guerrilla bases.

            - Political development

            - Construction regardingeconomy

            -XBuilding and developing culture and education.

3.2.2. Directing protection andaccelerate constructiontheguerrilla zone andguerrilla base(4-1952 up to 5-1954)

*Directing the protection of theguerrilla zones and guerrilla bases

*Construction supervisionaboutpolitics

            *Construction supervisionabouteconomy

*Directing the building and development of culture.Buteducation          

Summary of Chapter 3

From 1951 to 1954 was a period of intensified resistance leading to complete victory. The Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee led the construction of the revolutionary base during those years of immense hardship and challenges. Dozens of large-scale enemy sweeps pushed Hung Yen into the most difficult region on the Northern battlefield. In the face of these difficulties, some cadres fled to neighboring provinces such as Hai Duong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, and Thanh Hoa. However, under the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee, within a short time, cadres and party members returned, steadfastly staying close to the land and people, and developing the revolutionary base.

Implementing the Resolution of the 2nd Conference of the Central Committee of the Party on the tasks and working principles in temporarily occupied and guerrilla zones (September 1951), especially from the Hoa Binh campaign, the KDK and CCDK zones were expanded throughout the districts, forming a vast free zone. From resistance villages and communes, KDK and CCDK zones were built, progressing from small to large, from incomplete to gradually complete, from scattered to interconnected.

During this period, the Party Committee and people of Hung Yen defeated six major sweeps and hundreds of medium and small-scale sweeps, destroying, depleting, and disintegrating enemy ranks, disrupting strategic supply lines along Highway 5, consolidating and expanding liberated areas, building 18 KDK (Killing Zones) and constructing interconnected CKDK (Communal Defense Zones) linking with neighboring provinces. These achievements contributed to the overall victory in the 1953-1954 Winter-Spring Campaign and the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, crushing the aggressive schemes and ambitions of the French colonialists, forcing France to sign the Geneva Accords and withdraw its troops from the three Indochinese countries.

Chapter 4

COMMENTS AND EXPERIENCES

4.1.Comment

4.1.1. Advantagesand the cause

4.1.1.1. Advantages

            Firstly, the Hung Yen Party Committee correctly applied the Party's policy on building the rear base during the process of establishing guerrilla bases.

            Secondly, the Hung Yen Party Committee has led the construction...thecomprehensive guerrilla base

            Thirdly, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee has taken specific and appropriate measures in leading the construction of guerrilla bases.

            Fourth, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee has built a team of cadres and party members who are skilled in military matters, proficient in political tasks, and highly responsible in building the CCDK (Communist Party Committee of Hung Yen Province).

4.1.1.2. Causesadvantage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

            The first,cBased on the correct and innovative policies of the Party and the brilliant strategic guidance of the Central Military Commission.ButThe General Staff, under the direct guidance of the Regional Party Committee - Regional Command, the Left Bank Front, Front 5, and Regiment 42,They helped, coordinated, and fought alongside the army and people of Hung Yen in a tenacious battle behind enemy lines.

            Monday,SThe creativity, grasp of the Party's guidelines and policies, seizing opportunities, and leveraging favorable natural conditions, geographical advantages, and human resources of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in building the grassroots political system are the decisive factors for success.

            Thirdly, persistently staying close to the land, the people, and the enemy, grasping the guidelines, the cadres, and the armed forces, moving quickly, and building a solid local defense system—that was the decisive victory in building the revolutionary base area in Hung Yen.

4.1.2 Limitationsand the cause

4.1.2.1. Limitations

            The first, In the early stages, the Party Committee of Hung Yen province lacked flexibility, and the political foundations did not meet the requirements of the resistance war.

Secondly, the construction of fighting villages was largely superficial.

Tuesday,vThe task of uniting and strengthening the people's power.,There are still some deviations and inaccuracies that do not fully meet the requirements.

4.1.2.2. Reasons for limitations

            Objectively speaking,due to location ofconsciousHung Yen was located deep within enemy territory.shouldfrequently subjected to fierce attacks

            Subjectively,leadership abilityParty committees at all levels in Hung Yen provinceearlyIt is still limited becauselackexperiencewhen you have tofacing a new type of warfare

 4.2.Historical experience

4.2.1. Thoroughly understanding and creatively applying the Party's guidelines on building the rear area in the Vietnamese people's war.

4.2.2. Persistently staying rooted in the land and the people. They gathered with the local population to build guerrilla bases.

4.2.3. Combining construction with the defense of guerrilla bases.

4.2.4. Strengthening the development of militia and guerrilla forces.

4.2.5. Emphasize the building of Party organizations at the grassroots level.

                                                Summary of Chapter 4

During the difficult years of the resistance war against the French, the Party Committee of Hung Yen province experienced ups and downs and turbulent times. There were periods when the entire province was heavily attacked by the enemy, forcing cadres and Party members to flee, far from the people. The Party Committee promptly and rigorously reviewed and corrected mistakes and shortcomings, and cadres and Party members returned to cling to the land and the people. Relying on the people, they simultaneously built and fought, establishing the initial political foundation and progressing towards building revolutionary base areas.

Under the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee, cadres, Party members, and the armed forces of all three branches of the military worked together with the people of Hung Yen to successfully carry out the task of "transforming the enemy's rear into our front," forming KDK and CCDK (Regional Defense Zones and Combat Support Zones) within enemy territory. Thanks to these KDK and CCDK, the armed forces had a foothold and a launching point to attack the enemy right in their heart. Also, thanks to their close ties with the land and the people, building bases within the people's hearts, the Provincial Party Committee overcame all difficulties and challenges, gradually fighting and achieving victory, making a great contribution to the resistance struggle of the Inter-regional Zone and the Left Bank Zone.

The root of Hung Yen province's Party Committee's success in building resistance zones lies in the correct guidance of the Central Party Committee and the direct guidance of the Third Inter-regional Party Committee and the Left Bank region. Thanks to a firm grasp of the Party's resistance policies and guidelines, and the creative application by the local Party Committee, the Party Committee successfully built resistance zones and resistance clusters from nothing to something, from small to large, from incomplete to gradually complete, with increasingly affirmed scale and quality. Alongside the proud achievements in building resistance zones by the Party Committee and people of Hung Yen, there are still some limitations, such as a lack of flexibility in building political bases as a stepping stone to building resistance zones, insufficient emphasis on building resistance villages, many resistance villages being merely 형식적인 (formalistic), a lack of concrete measures to counter enemy sweeps, and limitations in nurturing the people's strength. These limitations stemmed from Hung Yen's geographical location behind enemy lines, and its frequent and fierce attacks. Furthermore, Hung Yen lacked the favorable terrain conditions found in many other provinces. Party committees at all levels faced difficulties when confronting a new type of war of aggression, with modern weapons and technology, for the first time.

From the practical experience of leading the construction of economic zones and economic clusters in Hung Yen, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee has left behind valuable lessons:Mfirst is,Thoroughly understand and creatively apply the Party's guidelines on building the rear area in the Vietnamese people's war;Second...persevering in staying close to the land and the people, relying on the people to build guerrilla bases;Third isCombining construction with the defense of guerrilla bases;Fourth is, strengthening the development of guerrilla militia forces;The year is, emphasizing the importance of building Party organizations at the grassroots level. The above lessons learned are of great value and have been applied by the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee during the resistance war against the US imperialists and in the current process of building a local all-people national defense system.

The nine-year protracted resistance war was a arduous struggle for the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Hung Yen in particular. Alongside the sacrifices and losses were proud achievements. Under the leadership of the Party, the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee, together with the army and people of Hung Yen, contributed manpower and resources to the overall victory of the nation, enriching the experience in the Party's people's war strategy. This included experience in building the "KMT" and "CCDK" in a vast, open plain, without forests or mountains, and without favorable terrain, but with the unwavering support of the people.

CONCLUDE

            1.During the nine years of resistance against the French colonial invasion, under the leadership of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee, the people of Hung Yen successfully built fortified zones and fortified communities in enemy-occupied areas, even behind enemy lines and within enemy territory. This historical practice affirmed that the Party's policy of building fortified zones and fortified communities was entirely correct and innovative. This policy met the objective demands of history and the will and aspirations of the people to rise up in resistance for independence and freedom. It transformed into an immense material and spiritual force, enabling Hung Yen, from being one of the most difficult battlefields in the Northern Delta, to successfully build fortified zones and fortified communities, turning the enemy's rear into our front line, and even more significantly, into the local rear base of the resistance.

            2.The revolutionary base areas in Hung Yen were established in places with strong political foundations and well-developed armed forces. Although the terrain was not rugged, these base areas had a strong contingent of cadres and party members, sometimes even forming independent party branches. When they clearly understood the importance of the war, they remained steadfast in their activities, persistently staying close to the land and the people, unafraid of sacrifice and hardship, working day and night with the movement, and closely connected with the masses.

Throughout its history of resistance against foreign invaders, Hung Yen has been chosen dozens of times as a base for launching uprisings and establishing a long-term resistance base. When the people were enlightened and organized into Party organizations, united on various fronts, the spirit of solidarity and determination to fight to the end, wholeheartedly rising up to liberate their homeland, was unwavering.

During the construction of the Hung Yen militia, the guerrilla forces were born and grew rapidly. This force was always proactive, creative, and resourceful in every battle, employing diverse fighting methods such as surprise attacks, special operations, fighting within villages, and fighting outside villages. All veteran militia members, women, and children participated in the guerrilla warfare. This force contributed significantly to the resounding victories on the historically rich land of Hung Yen.

            3.The process of forming and expanding the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Hung Yen was arduous and complex. There were times when SEZs and SEZs were continuously opened, but there were also times when SEZs were swept away by the enemy, temporarily retreating and becoming "white zones." Opening SEZs and then building inter-district and inter-provincial SEZs required a comprehensive and persistent struggle. It was a process of building political bases and then developing SEZs and SEZs from nothing to something, from small to large, from fragmented to interconnected, from incomplete to gradually more complete.

            4.As a province strategically located in the heart of the Red River Delta, Hung Yen was frequently attacked by the enemy, especially by the French colonialists who thoroughly exploited strategic factors such as implementing the scheme of "using war to finance war, using Vietnamese to rule Vietnamese." However, despite dozens of surveys and scientific studies, the French colonialists still made serious mistakes and increasingly sank into humiliating defeats. Particularly problematic was the contradiction between concentrating and dispersing forces. When the French mobile troops withdrew to other areas, the revolutionary forces could seize the opportunity to establish revolutionary base areas and revolutionary resistance zones in suitable locations. This was the creative aspect of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in leading the construction of revolutionary resistance zones, transforming Hung Yen from the most difficult battlefield in the Red River Delta into a vibrant battlefield, gradually breaking through the enemy's grip and opening up vast free zones.

            5.The establishment of guerrilla warfare and the conduct of guerrilla tactics are fundamental characteristics of a nation fighting against oppression, a form of mobilizing the entire population to participate in resistance to protect national independence. In these guerrilla warfare zones, the Party's policies and principles on building a people's democratic regime are realized. While the main task is to achieve genuine national independence, the guerrilla warfare zones also carry out tasks related to political, economic, cultural, and educational development to fulfill the resistance and national reconstruction objectives. The establishment of guerrilla warfare zones and guerrilla tactics coincides with the establishment, maintenance, and consolidation of a people's democratic regime. This is the driving force that motivates the people to enthusiastically participate in the resistance, effectively providing manpower and resources to support the protracted resistance struggle.

            6.The successful construction of the Hung Yen Resistance Base on a barren plain, devoid of forests, sea, and borders, was an innovative achievement of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee in applying the Marxist-Leninist viewpoint and Ho Chi Minh Thought on building resistance bases and strongholds. It partly answered the question: Where do we rely on, and where do we get the strength to fight the enemy? This affirmed that wherever there are patriotic people, there is a ready-made stronghold for the resistance. In reality, the construction of the Hung Yen Resistance Base made the stronghold a frontline, and the frontline also became the stronghold. The spatial distinction between the frontline and the stronghold, as in classical warfare, was no longer clear. The successful construction of the Hung Yen Resistance Base has left invaluable lessons for the struggle against American imperialism and for the construction of socialism today. It also made a significant contribution to the theoretical treasury of Marxism-Leninism on revolutionary warfare, which has been creatively applied in the historical process of the Communist Party of Vietnam.