General Nguyen Chi Thanh in the history of the national revolution.

Attending the seminar were Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Member of the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defense - son of General Nguyen Chi Thanh; Major General Le Hien Van, Deputy Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army; scientists from within and outside the military; representatives of the General's family and comrades who fought and worked with him during his lifetime; and more than 100 students, graduate students, and doctoral candidates from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and the Military Science Academy.

A staunch revolutionary fighter

Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh was born and raised in Thua Thien Hue, a resilient land rich in cultural traditions, patriotism, and revolutionary spirit. Nurtured and educated in the glorious historical traditions of his homeland, and having witnessed firsthand the suffering of the people under the oppressive rule of colonialism and feudalism, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh early on developed patriotic ideals and a revolutionary spirit.

In 1934, at the young age of 20, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh joined the revolution, actively participating in the Indochinese Democratic Front movement launched and led by our Party. Under his leadership, the revolutionary struggle of the people of Thua Thien against the oppression and exploitation of the French colonialists and the Southern feudal regime erupted powerfully. He led and inspired the indomitable revolutionary spirit of our people, creating a strong revolutionary movement in his homeland of Thua Thien-Hue, striking fear into the enemy. Therefore, the communist fighter Nguyen Chi Thanh became a target of the colonialists.

In July 1939, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh was arrested by the enemy and imprisoned in Thua Phu prison, then exiled to Lao Bao and Buon Ma Thuot prisons. In imperialist prisons, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh consistently demonstrated an indomitable spirit, unwavering loyalty, and the integrity of a communist. In February 1942, he successfully escaped, returned to continue his revolutionary activities, and was elected as the provisional Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Thua Thien-Hue province. Under his leadership, the revolutionary base, Viet Minh organizations, and self-defense forces were built and developed strongly in Thua Thien-Hue. This was crucial preparation for the August 1945 General Uprising, although in July 1943, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh was again arrested and imprisoned in Buon Ma Thuot prison. He was only released after the Japanese coup against the French in March 1945.

In August 1945, representing the Party organization in Central Vietnam, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh attended the National Party Conference in Tan Trao and was elected a member of the Central Executive Committee, and appointed Secretary of the Central Vietnam Regional Party Committee. During the early years of the resistance against French colonial aggression, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh was assigned to be the Secretary of the Thua Thien Provincial Party Committee, concurrently serving as Secretary of the Binh-Tri-Thien Sub-regional Party Committee. At that time, the fighting on this front was extremely fierce, our forces suffered serious losses, the Hue front was broken by the enemy, many Party organizations and agencies in the province suffered heavy damage, some cadres and Party members were pessimistic, and a segment of the population was confused and fearful. To boost the morale of the people and strengthen the fighting spirit of our cadres and soldiers, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh affirmed: "Losing land is not the same as losing the country. We only fear losing the people's trust. With the people's trust, we have everything. Therefore, we must not retreat. We must return to the people, and we will surely win!"

In 1948, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh was entrusted by the Party with the important position of Secretary of the Inter-regional Party Committee of Zone 4. In 1950, he was appointed by the Party and President Ho Chi Minh as Deputy Secretary of the General Military Commission and Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army. In his new position, he devoted all his energy, together with the collective of the General Military Commission, to leading the building of a strong army in terms of politics, ideology, and organization; fostering and promoting the revolutionary nature of our army; establishing a systematic approach to Party and political work; and enhancing the combat strength of our people's armed forces. He consistently cared for, nurtured, educated, and trained an increasingly strong and disciplined army officer corps.

With peace restored in the North, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh was assigned by the Party to oversee the agricultural production front. He closely monitored the situation at the grassroots level, listened to and consulted with scientists, determined the direction for expanding production, broke the "three-acre land shackles," and launched emulation movements in agriculture. He left a positive impression on cadres and the people with his thorough, scientific, democratic working style, and his deep connection with the people.

In 1964-1965, amidst the US imperialist air and naval attacks on North Vietnam and the direct invasion of South Vietnam by its army, the Central Committee of the Party and the Politburo assigned Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh to the battlefield to assume the position of Secretary of the Central Bureau for South Vietnam, directly leading the resistance war against the US to save the nation. With his meticulous and concrete approach, he visited key areas to assess the situation, study appropriate combat plans, formulate military strategies, and establish a resolute, proactive, and continuous offensive strategy. His famous slogan, "Cling to the enemy's waist to fight," and the policy of building "anti-American zones," demonstrated the peak of Vietnamese military intelligence and strategic brilliance...

General Nguyen Chi Thanh - from the perspective of science and posterity.

Fifty years ago, General Nguyen Chi Thanh passed away suddenly amidst the nationwide preparations for a General Offensive and Uprising to achieve decisive victory in the South, with the objective of:Fight to drive the Americans out, fight to overthrow the puppet regime.“His passing was a great loss to the Vietnamese revolution. Because General Nguyen Chi Thanh was the highest-ranking commander in the South and the person with the most understanding of the battlefield realities in the South at that time, trusted and chosen by President Ho Chi Minh to be assigned the task. The Tet Offensive of 1968 did not achieve its objectives.”Fight to drive the Americans out, fight to overthrow the puppet regime."...and we suffered considerable losses in terms of both human lives and property. General Nguyen Chi Thanh passed away, but his fervent patriotism, overflowing revolutionary zeal, indomitable will, undying faith in the victory of the Vietnamese revolution, and his exemplary lifestyle continue to deeply move and inspire all levels of the people."

Prof. Dr.Pham Quang Minh, Principal of the School University of Social Sciences andHumanities delivered the opening remarks at the seminar.

That is why, in his opening remarks at the seminar, Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, affirmed: Although there have been many studies on the life and career of General Nguyen Chi Thanh by researchers both domestically and internationally, research ideas about him have never lost their appeal. The more researchers study him, the more new and brilliant insights they discover in his life and revolutionary career.

Therefore, from the very beginning of the project, the organizing committee received attention and participation at all stages from many individuals, units, and agencies. This was especially true for specialized scientists both within and outside the military. With 53 papers from over 60 scientists nationwide, from the North, Central, and South, representing various research institutions such as the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), the Vietnam Military History Institute, the Political Academy of the Ministry of National Defense, the Vietnam Institute of History, the Institute of Cultural Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), the Institute of the History of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics), Hanoi Pedagogical University, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), Saigon University, FPT University Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Bang International University, etc.

Colonel, Associate Professor, Doctor Duong Hong Anh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Military History, delivered the introductory report.

According to Colonel, Associate Professor, and Doctor Duong Hong Anh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Military History, in his introductory report, the theme of this scientific seminar focuses on three major issues: General Nguyen Chi Thanh's ideology of war and peace, his courage to fight and his determination to fight the Americans; General Nguyen Chi Thanh's immense contributions as a theorist and revolutionary leader of Vietnam; and General Nguyen Chi Thanh's style. Based on this, the seminar will clarify: General Nguyen Chi Thanh's revolutionary life and outstanding contributions to the goals and ideals of national independence and socialism of the Vietnamese revolution; and to the process of building, maturing, and achieving victory in the Vietnam People's Army. He is an exemplary communist party member, steadfastly loyal and devoted to the Party, the country, and the people. He was a virtuous, talented, and reputable leader of the Vietnamese Party and revolution, a strategic strategist, an outstanding commander of the army, and an exemplary son of Thua Thien Hue province. At the same time, based on that, he propagated and educated revolutionary traditions to cadres, soldiers in the armed forces, students, and the people, promoting glorious traditions, contributing to building a strong Vietnamese People's Army, strengthening national defense, and building and firmly protecting the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam.

Colonel, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Nhien, Director of the Vietnam Military History Institute, in his presentation with supporting arguments, clearly stated the viewpoint: General Nguyen Chi Thanh set a shining example of lifelong dedication to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. He was an outstanding leader of the Party and the Vietnam People's Army, steadfast in the face of challenges, leading the people and army of Binh-Tri-Thien in building a resistance posture against the French colonial invaders; a talented military strategist in the resistance war against the US to save the country; an outstanding leader of the Party on the front of building socialism in the North in the years 1961-1964; a General who made great contributions to building our army into a comprehensively strong force based on political strength.

CThe delegates took a commemorative photo after the seminar concluded.

For over 30 years of revolutionary activity, Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh was present in the most difficult and arduous places; he sacrificed and strived his entire life for the ideals of the Party; wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people. He clearly demonstrated the qualities of a brilliant and strategic general of the Vietnam People's Army, an exemplary leader, full of willpower and courage; a shining example of a communist; honest, straightforward, and harmonious with his compatriots, comrades, and fellow soldiers. This was the main and important content addressed in most of the presentations.

Besides the above, when speaking about Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh's affection for his hometown of Thua Thien-Hue and the affection of Thua Thien-Hue for Comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh, Dr. Hoang Minh Canh, despite being 90 years old, traveled all the way from Hue just as the seminar began, stating: "Comrade Thanh was a high-ranking leader but very close to and loving towards the soldiers. When the Hue front collapsed in 1945, he steadfastly led his comrades to stay in the Quang Dien plain, staying close to the people to build the movement. Thanks to his example and leadership, we overcame hardships and sacrifices." Colonel Bach Van, former Head of the Military Intelligence Department (B2 Front), shared that although he only worked alongside General Nguyen Chi Thanh for a short time, the strategic thinking of "nothing is impossible," and the principle of immediately summarizing and learning from experience that he learned from the General, helped him gain much experience and mature as he did during the war...

Throughout the nearly five-hour session, the presentations were objective, scientific, and frank, addressing the major issues selected by the organizing committee. All presentations were compiled into a proceedings volume and distributed to the delegates attending the seminar.