I. Biography and revolutionary activities of Comrade Nguyen Van Cu
Comrade Nguyen Van Cu was born on July 9, 1912, into a poor scholarly family with a tradition of academic achievement in Phu Khe commune, Tu Son district, Bac Ninh province, now Tu Son town, Bac Ninh province.
In 1927, at the age of 15, while studying at Buoi School, he enthusiastically participated in the activities of the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association. In 1928, he was expelled from school by the French colonial authorities for his involvement in revolutionary activities. Returning to his hometown, Nguyen Van Cu continued to reconnect with comrades in the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association, building a revolutionary base in the locality. At the end of 1928, he was introduced to the activities of the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association."Proletarianization"at the Vang Danh coal mine.
In 1929, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu was admitted to the Indochinese Communist Party. In 1930, together with Nguyen Duc Canh, he established the first branch of the Indochinese Communist Party in Mao Khe, and subsequently developed the party's grassroots organization throughout the mining region, establishing the Mining Special Zone Committee and publishing a newspaper.Charcoal.
On February 15, 1931, while on a work trip to Cam Pha - Hong Gai, he was arrested by the French colonial authorities and imprisoned in Hoa Lo Prison. The Hanoi Criminal Court sentenced him."Life imprisonment"and exiled to Con Dao Island.
In 1936, due to the pressure of the strong struggles of our people and the French Popular Front, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu and a number of political prisoners from Con Dao were released. He returned to Hanoi to contact the Party and established a new organization."Initiative Committee".In July 1937, he participated in the founding of the Northern Regional Party Committee, restoring party bases in Northern and Central Vietnam.
At the expanded Central Committee meeting in September 1937, he was elected a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Indochinese Communist Party and appointed to the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Indochinese Communist Party. At the 5th Central Committee meeting (March 1938), Comrade Nguyen Van Cu was elected General Secretary of the Party. In order to fight against the Trotskyists and conduct self-criticism and criticism within the Party, correcting erroneous and deviant ideas, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu wrote the work..."Self-criticism"This has made a significant contribution to building a strong Party in terms of politics, ideology, and organization.
In September 1939, with the outbreak of World War II, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu directed the Party to go underground and actively prepare for a strategic shift in the revolution.
In November 1939, in his capacity as General Secretary of the Party, he convened the 6th Central Committee Conference, where he and the Central Committee discussed and passed a resolution to establish the Indochinese Anti-Imperialist National United Front, replacing the Indochinese Democratic Front, opening a new era for the Vietnamese revolution – the era of the national liberation movement.
Amidst the national revolutionary movement entering a new climax, on January 18, 1940, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu was captured by the enemy. On August 28, 1941, he was executed by the enemy.
At the age of 29, with over thirteen years of revolutionary service, seven years imprisoned in imperialist prisons, and more than two years as General Secretary of the Party, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu sacrificed his life at a very young age. He made immense contributions to the Party and the Vietnamese nation. General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu was an outstanding communist fighter, an excellent leader of the Party and the Vietnamese revolution, a man with strategic vision, and a shining example of revolutionary morality.
General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu (1912-1941)
II. The immense contributions of General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.
- General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu directed the change in revolutionary strategy, creating a crucial turning point in the Vietnamese revolution during the period 1938-1942.
In early April 1938, the right-wing government of Prime Minister Daladier in France reached a compromise with Hitler on the Czechoslovak issue, posing a near threat of a world war. Recognizing the unfavorable international situation for the Vietnamese and Indochinese revolutions, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu promptly addressed the issue of shifting the Party's strategy. He wrote a series of articles published in the newspaper Dan Chung, such as:"Regarding the issue of Japan occupying Hainan"; "Together with Mr. Nguyen Van Sam, editor-in-chief of Tu Do newspaper"...Based on an analysis of the global, regional, and domestic situation, he clearly pointed out the danger of fascist war in Asia and Indochina, and called on the people to intensify the struggle against the aggressive war of fascism. To prepare for the Party's underground operation and to cope with the new situation, in his capacity as General Secretary of the Party, he directed the publication of the book ""The Party's secret work"The information was promptly sent to Party committees at all levels. In early September 1939, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu convened and chaired an expanded meeting of the Northern Regional Party Committee, disseminating information on the international and domestic situation and deciding to immediately withdraw cadres operating openly into clandestine activities. He also assigned some cadres from the Regional Party Committee and the Hanoi City Party Committee to build bases in strategic areas, preparing the groundwork for armed struggle when conditions permitted. These correct and insightful policies of our Party, led by General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu, in response to the rapidly changing revolutionary situation in 1939, reduced losses for the Party and contributed to the advancement of our nation's revolutionary cause.
On November 6, 1939, just two months after the outbreak of World War II, General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu convened the 6th Conference of the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Ba Diem (Hoc Mon, Gia Dinh). The conference deeply analyzed the nature of World War II, Indochina's position in the war, the policies of the French imperialists, the attitudes of various social classes, and outlined the political line of the Vietnamese revolution in the new situation. The conference affirmed that while the war would inflict suffering on humanity, ultimately the revolutionary cause of the world's people would triumph over fascism. The conference also unanimously concluded that, at this time in Vietnam and Indochina, the French imperialist rule had become a colonial fascist regime. The French imperialists had compromised and surrendered to the Japanese fascists. Therefore, liberating the nation from imperialist yoke, whether French or Japanese, became the most urgent task and the immediate strategic goal of the Vietnamese revolution.
Based on the unified assessments and strategic tasks for the new revolutionary phase, the 6th Central Committee Conference (November 1939) decided to concentrate all national forces on fighting imperialism and the fascist colonial rule. The Party would establish a unified national anti-imperialist front in Indochina to replace the no longer suitable democratic front. The slogan of agrarian revolution was temporarily set aside; only the policy of confiscating land from imperialists and landlords who betrayed national interests would be implemented. The slogan of establishing a Soviet government of workers, peasants, and soldiers was replaced with the slogan of establishing a democratic republic. To suit the nature of the revolutionary struggle in the new phase, the revolutionary method also shifted from fighting for people's rights and democracy to directly overthrowing the imperialist government and its puppets, from legal and semi-legal activities to secret and illegal activities, preparing the conditions for armed uprising.
Looking back at past historical events, we are increasingly impressed by the Party's decision to shift its strategic direction and change its revolutionary methods in the new situation at the 6th Central Committee Conference (November 1939). This decision was extremely insightful, demonstrating the keen political thinking and creative capacity of the Central Committee, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu. The timeliness and correctness of the strategic shift at the 6th Central Committee Conference were affirmed and highly appreciated by the Standing Committee of the Central Committee at the 7th Central Committee Conference (November 1940) and the 8th Central Committee Conference (May 1941). Thanks to the Party's timely guidance, the Vietnamese revolutionary movement continued to develop strongly in a new direction, and the revolutionary forces avoided significant losses when the enemy turned against them. Amidst the nascent national liberation movement, in early 1940, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu and several other high-ranking Party leaders were arrested. However, the insightful and timely assessments and decisions, the astute and creative policies outlined by the 5th and 6th Central Committee Conferences under the chairmanship of General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu, were creatively implemented by the Party and the people, contributing to the victory of the historic August Revolution.
- General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu – an outstanding theorist of the Party.
Comrade Nguyen Van Cu was a leader with sharp theoretical thinking abilities. Although he had never traveled abroad, never met leader Nguyen Ai Quoc, and never attended a formal Party training course, he demonstrated outstanding theoretical capacity. Under the leadership of General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu during the revolutionary period of 1939-1940, many theoretical and practical issues were resolved creatively, skillfully, and in accordance with objective laws of development.
Comrade Nguyen Van Cu's initiative to establish a united democratic front, presented at the 5th Central Committee Conference in March 1938, is considered a breakthrough in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the revolution. Based on scientific analysis, our Party decided not to adopt that model."Popular Front"in the style of the French Republic, not applying the model"The National Anti-Imperialist Front"of China, which establishedIndochina People's United FrontTo unite the working class and peasants, and to attract intellectuals and other reformist and democratic forces, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu wrote the work to clarify and unify this viewpoint throughout the Party."Democratic freedoms for the people of Indochina"In it, many theoretical concepts and categories are presented and explained scientifically, such as:"What does 'freedom and democracy' mean?", "Freedom and democracy for the nation", "Freedom and democracy for the bourgeoisie", "Freedom and democracy for the proletariat"...This led to the conclusion that:"For centuries, Indochina was under feudal rule, then under oppressive colonial rule. Colonial policies colluded with remnants of feudalism to dominate Indochina, so its inhabitants have never experienced the taste of modern freedom and democracy. Therefore, if the people of Indochina want freedom and democracy, they must fight."2.But in what form should the struggle take, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu affirmed:"Based on that specific situation, we can use a peaceful method of struggle – the policy of establishing a unified democratic front in Indochina – to achieve those requirements."3.Work:"The democratic freedoms of the people of Indochina"Your work has provided a comprehensive explanation of many fundamental theoretical issues, on the basis of which our Party formulated strategic and tactical decisions during the period of the Democratic United Front.
In 1939, fascism threatened to wage a world war, the French colonialists in Indochina were poised to turn against and suppress the democratic movement, and some Trotskyist elements masquerading as revolutionaries were also actively opposing communism. As General Secretary of the Party, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu directed a broad and profound struggle on the theoretical front. First and foremost, this involved exposing the true nature of the Trotskyists with a clear and forceful voice."The revolution of the tongue"Their example illustrates the principle of alliance between the Communist Party and other parties:"The relationship must be based on principles, not on associating with reactionaries, Trotskyist provocateurs, and fascist lackeys."4;For these guys:Are not There can be no compromise, no concessions. We must use every means to expose them as puppets of fascism. We must destroy them politically."5.
In terms of the struggle to consolidate internal power, in June 1939, under the pseudonym Tri Cuong, General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu wrote and published the book..."Self-criticism."This is a significant contribution by Comrade Nguyen Van Cu to the Party building work in terms of politics, ideology, and organization. For the first time in the history of the Communist Party of Vietnam, a top-ranking Party leader has written publicly:"Communists have a duty to tell the truth to the masses, to lead the masses, not to follow or deceive them."6And even if there are mistakes, even if there are failures..."One must have the courage to open their eyes wide and face the truth."7.Criticizing erroneous "leftist" tendencies, or"Heaven's favor"of some officials and Party members. General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu demanded that the Party must"Openly, boldly, and honestly acknowledging our mistakes and seeking ways to correct them, while combating opportunistic and compromising tendencies, will not weaken the Party but rather strengthen its unity."8.
Work"Self-criticism"Published over seventy years ago by a Vietnamese communist who received his theoretical education primarily in imperialist prisons, but through his rich practical experience, the author summarized profound ideological and theoretical issues of contemporary relevance that remain relevant today. The work is titled "Self-criticismThis demonstrates the wisdom in the political thinking of an experienced and exceptionally talented leader, and at the same time reflects the brilliant intellect of our Party in enriching the theoretical treasury of Marxism-Leninism.
- Comrade Nguyen Van Cu – a shining example of revolutionary ethics and the spirit of self-study, self-improvement, and growth through the practical experience of revolutionary struggle.
3.1. A shining example of revolutionary morality
Comrade Nguyen Van Cu dedicated his entire life to the revolutionary cause of our people and to the noble ideals of our Party. His whole life of revolutionary activity is a model of the noble qualities of a communist.
With an enthusiastic spirit of learning, training, and continuous self-improvement, from his time as a student entering revolutionary activities until his passing, even without attending any political theory schools, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu, through his faith and determination to transform imperialist prisons into revolutionary schools, equipped himself with profound knowledge of political science, becoming the General Secretary – the highest-ranking leader of the Party.
Comrade [Name] skillfully combined the rich practical experience of the Vietnamese revolution and the international communist and workers' movement with the scientific theory of Marxism-Leninism and the ideology of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc, contributing to the Central Committee of the Party's correct resolution of the demands of the Vietnamese and Indochinese revolutions. In the urgent and complex circumstances of the democratic movement (1936-1939), our Party faced many obstacles and difficulties: the enemy constantly sought to suppress, the Trotskyists provoked sabotage, and some Party cadres and members revealed erroneous left-wing and right-wing tendencies in implementing revolutionary strategies and tactics, making mistakes in their understanding… But under the leadership of the Party, our people united to create a vibrant revolutionary movement, millions of people became enlightened and followed the Party in the national liberation revolution, shattering the colonial and feudal regime, and building the first worker-peasant state in Southeast Asia. That success was due to the immense intellectual and physical contributions of the entire Party, and of the Party's pioneering leaders, such as Comrades Tran Phu, Le Hong Phong, Ha Huy Tap, and Nguyen Van Cu....
Not only did Comrade Nguyen Van Cu possess a spirit of self-study and practical training, but he was also a shining example of close connection with the masses, trusting and deeply attached to them, and valuing mass mobilization work. Wherever he was, whether living among fellow miners in the Northeast or fellow prisoners in Con Dao, whether as a Party member or as the General Secretary of the Party, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu always demonstrated himself to be a cadre with pure revolutionary ethics, sincerity, simplicity, and exemplary conduct. He had a warm and approachable demeanor, the ability to unite and rally people, and was loved and admired by cadres, Party members, and the people.
Comrade Nguyen Van Cu possessed creative theoretical thinking, a keen grasp of practical realities, and a strong ability to persuade and influence others, setting a shining example of self-criticism within the Party. Against enemies and reactionary elements, including Trotskyists, who attempted to divide and undermine the Party, he resolutely fought against their attempts without compromise. Regarding the mistakes and shortcomings of cadres and Party members, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu always spoke gently and sincerely, engaging in frequent, reasonable, and empathetic discussions, making a significant contribution to strengthening Party unity, combating ideological and political degeneration among cadres and Party members, and advancing the Vietnamese revolutionary cause.
At the age of 26, with outstanding virtue and talent, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu was elected General Secretary of the Party at the 5th Central Committee Conference (March 1938). General Secretary Le Duan assessed him as follows:In terms of age, Comrade Cu was 5 to 10 years younger than us and Comrades Le Hong Phong and Ha Huy Tap, but he was a brilliant intellectual of the Party, very sharp and politically astute, and capable of uniting and persuading his comrades. He was a communist with very pure moral character, respected by everyone.
Comrade General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu was an exemplary communist, a source of pride for our Party and our nation.
3.2. A prime example of the spirit of self-study, self-improvement, and growth through the practical experience of revolutionary struggle.
Comrade Nguyen Van Cu joined the revolutionary movement at a very young age. Originally a student, at the age of 15, with the enthusiasm of youth, through the patriotic struggle movement, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu became enlightened by Marxism-Leninism. He implemented the policies..."Proletarianization"As a member of the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association in the Northeast mining region (from 1928-1930), Comrade immersed himself in the lives of the workers, quickly recognizing the immense revolutionary potential of the Vietnamese working class. With a resolute revolutionary spirit, he organized numerous rallies calling on miners to rise up and make revolution for national and class liberation. (The newspaper)CharcoalDirected and edited by Comrade Nguyen Van Cu, the newspaper disseminated Marxist-Leninist ideology and was widely distributed in Mao Khe and the Northeast mining region. From its very first issues, the newspaper...CharcoalHe encouraged, inspired, and guided the masses to rise up and fight against the oppressive and unjust regime of French colonialism, and to support the international communist and workers' movement.
Comrade Nguyen Van Cu had the opportunity to travel extensively and interact with many workers and laborers of various professions. Through this, he was able to analyze and promptly point out the strengths and correct the deviations in the work of mobilizing workers, thereby enabling the revolutionary movement in the coal mining region to undergo rapid transformation and development. In early 1930, together with Comrade Nguyen Duc Canh, he established a branch of the Indochinese Communist Party in Mao Khe and directed the establishment of party committees in the Uong Bi, Cua Ong, and Cam Pha mines… From a bourgeois student, immersing himself in the arduous life of the miners, combined with actively self-training and studying revolutionary theory, after more than two years of revolutionary activity, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu became one of the first to establish party branches and special zone party committees in the mining region, a key leading cadre of the workers' movement in the Northeast coal mining area.
When captured by the enemy and imprisoned and tortured in Con Dao prison (from 1931 to 1936), Comrade Nguyen Van Cu, along with other loyal Party cadres, transformed the imperialist prison into a revolutionary school. In Con Dao prison, he studied classic works of Marxism-Leninism, such as:Manifesto of the Communist Party, “Two strategies of the Party", "Left-wing infantileness in the workers' movement", "Marxist principles"-Lenin"...Through direct exchanges with fellow prisoners, combined with his rich revolutionary experience, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu gained a deep understanding of many theoretical issues of Marxism-Leninism and the ideology of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc. It was during his imprisonment on Con Dao Island that he accumulated and refined his knowledge of Marxism-Leninism and the ideology of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc, illuminating the practical realities of the Vietnamese revolution and drawing valuable revolutionary lessons. The dialectical path of understanding that Comrade Nguyen Van Cu followed to become an outstanding young leader and theorist of the Party was arduous, glorious, and utterly magnificent.
The spirit of proletarian internationalism was clearly evident from the 1930s. Upon becoming a communist party member, Comrade Nguyen Van Cu wrote many insightful articles calling on communists and working people of Vietnam to support the revolutions in China and the Soviet Union, such as:"Helping China is the duty of all those who love freedom and peace. Helping China is part of the defense of Indochina."1;Supporting the Soviet Union's entry into the League of Nations, campaigning to help the Chinese revolution resist Japan, etc. These writings demonstrate a high level of generalization, independent and dialectical thinking about the relationship between the Vietnamese revolution, the Indochinese revolution and the world revolution, and the burning revolutionary issues at home and internationally, affirming the political talent of an outstanding leader of our Party and nation.
III. Studying the views on self-criticism and criticism of General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu in the work "Self-Criticism" to effectively implement Central Resolution 4 (12th Congress) and Directive 05-CT/TW
Commemorating the 109th anniversary of the birth of General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu at a time when the entire Party, people, and army are actively implementing the Resolution of the 4th Central Committee Meeting (12th term)."Regarding strengthening Party building and rectification; preventing and repelling the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle, and the manifestations of 'self-evolution' and 'self-transformation' within the Party"linked to the implementation of Directive 05-CT/TW of the Politburo of the 12th Party Congress on “Promoting the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style.Organizing propaganda activities to commemorate the 109th anniversary of the birth of General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu is a meaningful form of political activity for cadres, Party members, and all strata of the people, aiming to honor and affirm the great contributions of Comrade Nguyen Van Cu to the Party and our nation; practically fostering revolutionary traditions, educating ideology, morality, and lifestyle for cadres and Party members, especially the younger generation.
In organizing the implementation of the Resolution of the 4th Central Committee Conference (12th term), each cadre and Party member needs to study the views on self-criticism and criticism within the Party of General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu:Openly, boldly, and honestly acknowledging its mistakes and seeking ways to correct them, while combating opportunistic and compromising tendencies, will not weaken the Party, but rather strengthen it."
Studying some principles and objectives in self-criticism and criticism of General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu:We can never simply blame all the failures on enemy oppression. We must acknowledge our own subjective shortcomings and bear full responsibility for them."
"Bolshevik self-criticism is meant to help party members train themselves, to increase the prestige and influence of the Party, to make the Party increasingly unified and strengthened, to advance the movement, and to lead the revolution to victory. It is not about placing oneself above the Party, using one's own opinions – even if correct – to oppose the Party, using a few shortcomings to slander the Party, undermining its influence, sowing doubt and confusion among the masses, and creating seeds of factionalism within the Party ranks."
"Party members must be made aware of their responsibilities, understand their roles clearly and fully, know how to adapt in difficult and serious circumstances, and be able to correctly and promptly self-criticize their shortcomings and mistakes; at the same time, the Party must find ways to genuinely monitor the actions of each party member."
"Overcoming erroneous tendencies within the ranks: the 'leftist' tendency, isolated and seeking to shrink the Party, narrowing it down through factionalism and distancing it from the masses; and the 'rightist' tendency, compromising and wavering in the face of serious situations, neglecting or concealing the propagation of Marxism-Leninism, and threatening to abandon revolutionary principles."
"Unity of thought, unity of action."
"Strengthen the ranks in order to quickly achieve the unification of the people."
