We, those who were honoured to serve the General for the last 37 years, after his death, recall profound memories about him and mourn the great loss.

General Vo Nguyen Giap visited Muong Phang, Dien Bien Province, in April 2004. Photo: Doan Hoai Trung

The first time when I met him, the General Brother Van impressed me with his warm and personable manner. During our time serving the General, we always respected him as an elder brother, a father and a kind and scholarly teacher. He was a role model and a great man for his morality, humanity and patriotism, and devoted his whole life for the country. He was also very kind, cared for his soldiers and cadres and respected the people.

Brother Van was a typical revolutionary leader, an eminent Commander-in-Chief, both a scholar and warrior, integrating talent and virtue. He was also a creative strategist and leading military theorist, and an influential general of great prestige in Vietnam and in the world. He was, furthermore, a famous journalist, teacher, diplomat and historian of the country. He was of the generation that, together with Uncle Ho, founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and greatly contributed to the cause of national liberation, protection and construction.

Moreover, Brother Van was a General of “humanity, wisdom, bravery, integrity and loyalty” and the most excellent, loyal and closest student of President Ho Chi Minh. He is the heroic son of the nation and the eldest brother of the Vietnam People’s Army. He was a charismatic general who was supported, beloved and respected by the entire Vietnamese people and international friends. That was the most valuable reward and encouragement for him to overcome difficulties and challenges to fulfil every task given him by the Party, Uncle Ho and the people.

Over more than 35 years working as an assistant to the General, we have had chances to read many documents, worked with many sectors, localities and units, attended many workshops and meetings, and listened to the General answer interviews and meet many historical witnesses. Therefore, we have a better understanding about him and his revolutionary cause.

General Vo Nguyen Giap was born in An Xa Village, in what is now Loc Thuy Commune, Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province, on 25th August, 1911, the year Uncle Ho left Vietnam to find ways to liberate the country. At the age of 14, he joined the movement of patriotic students at Hue National Academy. In 1927, he joined Tan Viet Revolutionary Party and in 1929 he and some of his comrades reformed this party to the Indochinese Communist League, one of the three parties that Uncle Ho merged into the Indochinese Communist Party, the present Communist Party of Vietnam.

In 1930, he was arrested for taking part in student protests in Nghe An and was sentenced to two years imprisonment. After being released, he lost contact with his organization and went to Hanoi to work as a teacher at Thang Long Secondary Private School, writing newspaper articles to propagandize about the revolutionary ideas for students. He also devoted time to earning a Bachelor degree in economics and law.

In 1936, he joined the democratic front and established and wrote for many newspapers of the Party.

In 1940, he was sent abroad, together with Pham Van Dong, by the Party to meet comrade Nguyen Ai Quoc. To strictly observe the Party’s regulation on its members who lost contact with the organization, in June 1940, he and Pham Van Dong were re-admitted to the Party.

In 1941, Uncle Ho returned to Vietnam and directly led the revolution in the country. At the Eighth Congress of the Party in May 1941, the Viet Minh Front was established and Vo Nguyen Giap was tasked to be responsible for the Military Committee of the General Committee of Viet Minh to prepare for armed uprisings and to build bases in Cao Bac Lang.

In 1942, he was asked to be in charge of the Committee for Southward and propaganda to educate local people to make a people’s road from Cao Bang to Thai Nguyen.

In December 1944, Brother Van was ordered by Uncle Ho to establish the Armed Propaganda Unit for National Liberation, the predecessor of the present Vietnam People’s Army. He directly commanded the unit’s first battles of Phay Khat and Na Ngan.

In April 1945, he was assigned to work as Commander of the unified revolutionary armed force, the Vietnam Liberation Army.

When the August Revolution succeeded and the provisional government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was established, he was appointed Minister of the Interior and was responsible for military work.

In November 1946, at the first meeting of the National Assembly, the new government was formed and Vo Nguyen Giap was appointed Minister of Defence. On 30th November, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh granted him the authority of Commander-in-Chief of the National Army.

On 28th May, 1948, President Ho Chi Minh promoted him General.

During 30 years of resistance wars to liberate the country, he was in charge of military work and served as Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces.

During the resistance war against the French colonialists, he was at the front of many major campaigns, especially the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

In the resistance war against the American imperialists, under the collective leadership of the Party, led by President Ho Chi Minh and then Le Duan, the first secretary of the Party, General Vo Nguyen Giap, as Secretary of the Central Military Commission, was tasked by Uncle Ho to prepare Resolution 15. He and other members of the Central Military Commission directed the creation of strategies and tactics to submit to the Politburo for approval and implementation. This helped defeat US attacks in the North and South of Vietnam.

Brother Van also contributed and proposed to make the VPA a regular and modern army with the establishment of the services of Air Force, Air Defence and Navy.

(to be continued)

Source: PANO