How did the slogan "Discipline and Unity" come about?

Speaking of the cultural traditions of coal miners, it can be affirmed that the most fundamental value, defining the characteristics of the coal industry, is the spirit of discipline and unity. This cultural value is an invaluable spiritual asset, possessing immense power to shape the history and stature of the miners, contributing to the enrichment and revitalization of the Vietnamese working-class culture. However, not everyone understands when the slogan "discipline and unity" originated and what its true meaning is.

Discipline and unity are the pillars of the coal industry's development culture.

Miner culture is a unique culture and the most distinctive characteristic of Quang Ninh . Unity and solidarity are inherent traditions in labor, production, and the struggle against natural disasters and invaders in the Northeast region. The culture of "discipline and unity" was formed in the mid-19th century when Vietnamese people began striking the first pickaxe to mine coal at Yen Lang Mountain (Dong Trieu) following the decree of King Minh Mang. Along with the colonial exploitation by the French, the miner workforce grew and expanded significantly. During the process of underground labor and production, especially in the struggle against the harsh oppression of the colonialists and their collaborators, miners had to unite and work together as a single force to amplify their fighting strength. Since the founding of our Party, unity and solidarity have been a principle of organization and operation, so this quality has been further honed, developed, and elevated to a new level. Furthermore, the working class is a highly disciplined and organized class; industrial production, carried out on assembly lines and characterized by specialization, necessitates that workers cultivate discipline and strictly adhere to labor and organizational discipline. Thus, discipline and unity are cultural traits of Quang Ninh, stemming from both traditional culture and modern industrial life, and Quang Ninh is one of the cradles of the formation and development of the Vietnamese working class.

This tradition was most clearly manifested during the revolutionary struggle of 1936. Under the slogan "Discipline and unity, we will surely win," the general strike demanding that mine owners increase wages, reduce working hours, stop beating and mistreating workers, and improve working conditions for over 30,000 miners, starting from Cam Pha, was the largest struggle of the Quang Ninh mining workers' movement before the August Revolution, and also the largest struggle of the Vietnamese revolutionary movement in the period 1936-1939.

On November 12, 1936, leaflets calling for a strike in preparation for a struggle swept across the mine. On the morning of November 13, 1936, more leaflets and posters calling for a strike appeared at intersections and access points to the mine shafts. The strike had spread everywhere. Fearing this situation, the mine owner and foremen discussed ways to counter the strike. However, the workers united closely, with the slogan: "With discipline and unity, we will surely win!" On the afternoon of November 14, 1936, the mine owner had to concede, accepting all the workers' demands. The strike was victorious, just as the slogan had hoped.

The fine traditions of the miners in the mining region are always preserved and passed on to future generations by the miners of Ha Lam, whether at work or after work returning home to their families. — The fine traditions of the miners in the mining region are always preserved and passed on to future generations by the miners of Ha Lam.

In that slogan, "Discipline" refers to the general rules of conduct within a community or social organization, requiring everyone to follow them in order to create unity of action and achieve high quality and efficiency. "Unity of purpose" refers to people with the same aspirations and a shared determination to achieve a common goal. The slogan "Discipline and unity of purpose, we will surely win," from the November 1936 strike as a command and manifesto of the miners, has gone down in history as a unique creation, appearing only once in the history of the Vietnamese working class's struggle. It is the most concentrated and complete expression of the revolutionary nature and distinctive fighting spirit in the methods and techniques of mobilizing forces, creating the immense and powerful strength of the miners.

The spirit of "Discipline and Unity" is demonstrated by miners in many aspects of their lives and production, such as: in the revolutionary struggle for independence and the fight to protect their homeland; in labor and production; in social activities; and in cultural and sports movements. The tradition of "Discipline and Unity" has accompanied the mining working class and the people of Quang Ninh province throughout history, from the revolutionary struggle for independence to the process of national renewal and construction. This tradition has materialized into the strength that has led to the glorious victories of Quang Ninh province.

During the second resistance war against French colonial aggression, the tradition of "Discipline and Unity" was once again revived and promoted, making positive contributions to the task of protecting factories, mines, and enterprises, and fighting to defend the homeland. In peacetime, especially during the period of industrialization, modernization, and international integration, coal miners and the people of Quang Ninh province have overcome all difficulties and hardships to extract millions of tons of coal, enriching the nation.

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