Gwangju International Center

Speaker : Nguyen Thi Le Hoa

Date : 12.06.02

Review Writter: Kim Su Jin

Proof-reader: Nguyen Thi Le Hoa

Today's talk was very special because it was given by Nguyen Thi Le Hoa who became a new coordinator of GIC Talk. She is from Vietnam, so she know very well about Ho Chi Minh, the first president of Vietnam. I think that is why she chose this topic to present Ho Chi Minh: “Vietnam’s Enigma“.

 

She presented Ho Chi Minh in three different aspects.

Firstly, it is political aspect. He was born May 19th 1890 and dead September 2nd 1969. He was as activist and a devoted person for nation. He wrote a letter against the corruption of the Court and the high exploit or the French colonialist, went abroad finding the way to save the country, and even submitted report to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Because of these works, he was observed by French secret police and to be condemed to be killed right after arresting. He was imprisoned in China for a year by anti-communism goverment. He founded Vietnamese Independent Alliance, declared the independence of Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DROV), and became the President of DROV and Prime Minister. He was also a Chairman of Labor Party, and built up constitution and strategy to liberate South Vietnam. Thanks to his effort, South and North Vietnam could reunify.

 

Secondly, it is conduct aspect. He was famous in the world for his devotion, sacrifice for the independence of the country and for the people’s happiness, equality and peace. Although he was a president, he was not like a dictator, he was always leading other by himself model. He did farming with a plough in order to teach peasants how to use new farming machine. He wore old clothes which peasants used to wear and lived in an old cottage. Moreover, he told citizens to call him uncle Ho instead of president. He didn't marry, but he reckoned that all Vietnam citizens were his family. He really loved children and spent much time to visit and play with children. With Vietnamese people. he was like a blood relation.

 

Thirdly, it is culture aspect. He had talent of languages and literature. He could speak and write well new national Vietnamese, English, French, and even Chinese. He wrote a lot of poems, many articles for newspapers, short stories, administrative books using different languages.

 

Lastly, Le Hoa told about his legacy. After his death, his body is kept in the Mausoleum. Some ethnics changed their family names to "Ho", and many streets in the world were named of his. His portrait is in every classroom, every public office in Vietnam. and there are over 50 songs to praise him. He is even considered as God with some Vietnamese.

 

Like these for Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh is a really important person. Thanks to Le Hoa, I could know about Ho Chi Minh clearly. Among his achievements, his efforts which made South and North reunify were very impressive. As a person who is living in a divided country, I really envy Vietnam. I wish that someday, there would be a person like Ho Chi Minh in Korea.