1919
French detectives reported that Nguyen Ai Quoc had visited a library, bookstore, the House of Representatives (to meet parliamentarian Marcel Cachin who later became a Communist leader), and the Louvre Museum. In the evening, he stopped by the house at 6 Villa des Gobelins to speak with Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Van Truong.
1924
He wrote to the Communist International from Moscow to report the “Situation in Indochina” in November and December 1924.
In the report, he focused on the appearance of new political organizations and said, “Two hundred students in South Vietnam have demonstrated in front of a police station to ask the police to release two of their friends. This is the first time such a demonstration has occured in Indochina. It’s a sign of the times.”
1946
Knowing that a war provoked by the French colonists was inevitable, in the evening President Ho Chi Minh wrote “An appeal to carry out a nationwide war of resistance.” The appeal was announced publicly the next morning.
He wrote, “Dear compatriots from all over the country! We want peace, we have to make concessions. But the more we make concessions, the more French colonists encroach on us because they want to invade our country again. No! We are better off sacrificing all than losing our country and becoming slaves.
“Dear compatriots! We have to rise up! All men and women, the old and the young, regions, parties and ethnic groups who are Vietnamese have to rise up to fight against French colonists to save the Fatherland. Those who have guns will use guns. Those who have swords will use swords. If [you] don’t have swords, then use hoes, spades, sticks and canes. All must try to fight against French colonists to save the country. It’s time to save the country. We have to sacrifice to the last drop of blood to keep the country. Though we must fight arduously, with a determined mind of sacrifice, our nation will surely gain victory.”
1947
On the first anniversary of the nationwide resistance, he told the press that “The enemy will be defeated because they don’t have favorable terrain or united people.”
On the same day, in his article “In commemoration of the establishment of the Liberation Army”, he said, “Soldiers of the national defense army and guerrillas must develop iron-like discipline, be sound in mind like bronze, possess an indomitable will and virtues of wisdom, bravery, integrity and loyalty.”
1950
In a letter to the national army, local soldiers and Vietnamese people, he wrote, “Our army is the people’s army that is established by people, fights for people, and loves the country and people so it will sacrifice and suffer hardship. With this army, the resistance will certainly win.”
On the same day, he signed a decree to award General Vo Nguyen Giap the third class Ho Chi Minh Medal.
1954
In an appeal, he said, “Compared to the armed struggle in the resistance, the political struggle in peace will be long and arduous too, and even more severe and complicated.”
On the same day, he moved from Don Thuy to a small house of a water and power repairman in the Governor-General’s Palace, which is now the President’s Palace.
By Duong Trung Quoc* and his assistants
*The author is a historian and member of the National Assembly
