General Vo Nguyen Giap - The General of the People's Heart

General Vo Nguyen Giap, an excellent student of President Ho Chi Minh, a legendary general, a national hero. To the Vietnamese people and the world , the General became a beautiful model, a legendary general, the Elder Brother of the Vietnam People's Army.

Born into a poor Confucian family in An Xa village, Loc Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province, Vo Nguyen Giap was famous for his intelligence and studiousness from a young age. From 1925 to 1927, he studied at the Hue National School, then participated in revolutionary activities. From then on, General Vo Nguyen Giap continuously pursued his education; worked enthusiastically and actively on the cultural front, in parallel with participating in revolutionary movements and activities.

General Vo Nguyen Giap at his office. Photo: Tran Hong

General Vo Nguyen Giap was a talented general, the Elder Brother of the Vietnam People's Army. The General was an excellent student of President Ho Chi Minh , and a Commander-in-Chief of the People's Army who led troops to defeat the two French and American empires, and together with the nation regained independence and unified the Fatherland. Living simply and closely; with both talent and virtue, General Vo Nguyen Giap became a shining example, a source of pride and respect in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Living in the midst of life and living in the hearts of the people, General Vo Nguyen Giap was affectionately called by the Vietnamese people: Elder Brother, Brother Van, Uncle Giap, General Giap...

During the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, the General wrote letters to his troops four times before embarking on his new mission. Writer Nguyen Dinh Thi commented: “A Commander-in-Chief writing heartfelt letters to his cadres and soldiers like that is a beautiful feature that speaks to the revolutionary nature of Uncle Ho’s Army and is also a rare thing in wars of other countries.”

The General's life always goes hand in hand with the historical journeys of the nation in the 20th century. But with a modest spirit, in the memoir Unforgettable Years, the General does not aim to narrate his own life but mainly recreates important events, turning points in the history of modern Vietnam, from the urgent days of preparation for the August Revolution, to the fierce days of the resistance war against the US to save the country.

Based on historical events, the General made general and profound comments, clarifying the great efforts of the Party, the Government, Uncle Ho and our people in the early days after the August Revolution to maintain independence, bring happiness to the people, and affirm the position of the new Vietnam. Reading the General's memoirs, one can feel more deeply the heart, feelings and responsibilities of a talented and outstanding general who devoted his life to the country and people of Vietnam.

General Vo Nguyen Giap. Photo: Tran Hong

As one of the 10 most outstanding military figures of all time, General Vo Nguyen Giap has always received admiration and respect from friends around the world. Many heads of state, politicians, scholars, journalists, writers, and people around the world have written about the General with warm feelings, emotions, and admiration for his talent and virtue.

On the occasion of General Vo Nguyen Giap’s visit to Algeria, an editorial in the El moudjahd newspaper in 1976 wrote: “A very simple-looking man. An open face. More than a hero. General Giap. He belongs to the line of soldiers whose exploits will be told from generation to generation. Perhaps even historians need a lot of arguments to avoid describing him as a legendary figure, to faithfully recount his values…”.

“Victory at all costs” is one of the most complete and detailed books written by foreigners about General Vo Nguyen Giap. Cecil B. Currey - a military historian - has helped us Vietnamese do a necessary and extremely valuable job: That is to make the world understand the history - traditions of Vietnam, understand the country - people of Vietnam, understand the talented general of Vietnam - General Vo Nguyen Giap - who according to his assessment is "the greatest military genius of the 20th century and one of the great men of all time".

General Peter Macdonald, also a British strategic analyst, affirmed: "From 1944 to 1975, Vo Nguyen Giap's life was associated with fighting and victory, making him one of the great commanders of all time."

During a visit to his hometown, the General confided: “My hometown and family have shaped my personality and determined my path.” Returning to the Kien Giang River in Le Thuy, with a gentle voice, full of Quang Binh, simple and caring, Uncle Giap asked everyone about him... Remembering the time he returned to his hometown in An Xa village in April 2002, the General was moved to return to the house associated with his childhood. In November 2004, at the age of 93, the General spent time instructing the leaders of his district to promote the traditions of his hometown, care for and love the people, and build a prosperous homeland.

General Vo Nguyen Giap meets old friends in his hometown. Photo: Tran Hong

In October 2013, the General rested in eternal sleep in the heart of motherland Quang Binh. Remembering him, millions and millions of Vietnamese people's hearts are still pounding... Remembering General Giap is remembering a legendary general, a general of the people whose name is associated with the Dien Bien Phu Victory that resounded throughout the five continents and shook the world, a great general that the whole world bowed to and praised.

Dang Vu, a student at Quoc Hoc Hue High School for the Gifted, confided: “I am very honored and proud to study at Quoc Hoc Hue School, where General Vo Nguyen Giap studied. I promise to study hard and train myself to be worthy of the next generation, following in the footsteps of my ancestors and contributing to building a beautiful homeland.”

Teacher Le Thi Huong Ly, a native of Quang Binh, currently a Literature teacher at Dao Duy Tu High School (Dong Hoi City) shared: “As a former student and now teaching at the school that was honored to have the General visit twice, I am very proud. In August 1999, the General visited his hometown and heard that Dao Duy Tu High School was celebrating its 10th anniversary and that student Tran Duc Long had just won an International Bronze Medal in Biology, the General visited the school. That day was the General's birthday, August 25. Generations of teachers and students are always impressed and moved by the General's closeness, kindness, gentleness, simplicity and depth when he advised teachers and students of Dao Duy Tu High School not to rest on their laurels, but to continue to compete in teaching well and studying well to become a model school of the province”...

According to qdnd.vn

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