Madame Binh, Hero of Labor, symbol of Vietnamese diplomacy

Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh has just been awarded the title of Hero of Labor for her great contributions to the field of foreign affairs and the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Vice President, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, has just received the title of Hero of Labor. This title is to recognize her great contributions to diplomacy and to the revolutionary cause of the nation.

General Secretary To Lam presents the title of Hero of Labor to former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh. Photo: Nhu Y.

Hero of Labor, symbol of Vietnamese diplomacy

The award ceremony took place within the framework of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam's diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025) and the reception of the First Class Labor Medal.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh recalled the historic milestone of the negotiations between Vietnam and the United States at the Paris Conference to end the war in Vietnam. According to her, this was a particularly important event in the 80-year journey of diplomacy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam Nguyen Thi Binh signed the Paris Agreement on Vietnam on January 27, 1973, at the International Conference Center in Paris (France). Photo: Van Luong/VNA.

She said that in the four-party negotiations, Vietnam had two delegations participating. The delegation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was led by Minister Xuan Thuy and Special Advisor Le Duc Tho; the delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam was led by herself.

“The two delegations have coordinated closely, together overcome numerous difficulties, and persistently negotiated for nearly five years to complete this historic task,” she said.

The former Vice President emphasized that the signing of the Paris Agreement in 1973 was a historic victory for the nation, opening the way for the liberation of the South and national reunification, and at the same time becoming an important milestone in the history of Vietnamese diplomacy.

“Today, we have peace, independence, and unity, with the Party's policy of deep international integration and the goal of building Vietnam into a strong, prosperous, developed country, with diplomacy becoming the leading front.

I believe that, with 80 years of tradition and the experience of valuable historical lessons, the diplomatic sector will develop strongly, meet the country's requirements, and at the same time be worthy of the trust of the Party, State and people. I wish the diplomatic sector to continue to develop with many achievements," she shared.

Madam Binh's mark in the Paris Conference

Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, real name Nguyen Thi Chau Sa, was born on May 26, 1927, originally from Quang Nam province (old). In 1961, she was sent by the Unification Committee to participate in diplomatic activities for the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.

During the negotiations of the Four-Party Conference on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam in Paris (France), she held the position of Head of the Delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam.

Image of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, intelligent, sharp and gentle when interacting with international media during the Paris Agreement negotiations. Photo: Document.

On November 4, 1968, in her first appearance in Paris, she made an international splash with her speech introducing the Front's five-point solution: "First, the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam strives to achieve independence, democracy, peace and national unification. Second, the US must end the war and withdraw its troops from Vietnam. Third, the internal affairs of South Vietnam must be resolved by the people of South Vietnam themselves. Fourth, the unification of Vietnam is the right of the Vietnamese people. Fifth, Vietnam pursues a foreign policy of peace and neutrality."

The strong and decisive speech immediately made a big impression on international public opinion. Since then, she has been affectionately called “Madam Binh” by the Western press, becoming the new diplomatic symbol of the anti-war movement and the struggle for peace in Vietnam.

Not only at the negotiating table, her quick and intelligent answers to the press also earned the respect of her opponents. When a foreign journalist asked her if she was a member of the Communist Party, she cleverly replied: "I belong to the Patriotic Party." That answer, both firm and subtle, showed the mettle of a steadfast diplomat.

During nearly five years of negotiations (1968–1973), Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh faced pressure from the US and the Saigon government many times. When asked challenging questions by the international press, she always answered frankly.

When asked about the presence of the Northern army in the South, she affirmed, "The Vietnamese people are one, and Vietnamese people in the North as well as in the South have the duty to fight against invasion."

Answering the question about "liberated zones", she replied that wherever the US bombed, that place was Vietnam's liberated zone.

Her resolute statements and tight arguments have made many Western journalists and politicians admire her, and at the same time contributed to strengthening Vietnam's justice in the international arena.

On January 27, 1973, the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam was signed, the result of the longest and most arduous diplomatic struggle in the history of Vietnamese diplomacy, lasting nearly 5 years with hundreds of meetings.

The image of diplomat Nguyen Thi Binh with her strong, persuasive yet extremely flexible, subtle, and sensitive words during the negotiation process has made the whole world admire and respect her.

Outstanding diplomatic mark of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh

In addition to her role in the Paris Agreement, Nguyen Thi Binh also took on many important roles after the war. After 1975, she became Minister of Education and Training (1976–1987), Chairwoman of the Central Committee for Foreign Affairs, Head of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and served two terms as Vice President (1992–2002) – the second woman in Vietnamese history to be appointed as Vice President.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai presented the "For the Cause of the National Assembly" medal to former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh. Photo: National Assembly.

During her career, she led people-to-people diplomacy activities, building an international network of relations with more than 40 countries and global progressive organizations.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government, representing the people of the South in the fight, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh actively mobilized politicians, intellectuals, and the French and Western press to support the resistance of the people of the South.

She was awarded many noble awards, including the Ho Chi Minh Medal, the First Class Medal of Military Exploit, the First Class Medal of Resistance Against America, the Great Solidarity Medal, and the First Class Medal of Freedom of Laos.

With her diplomatic stature, skillful behavior and perseverance, she contributed to bringing Vietnam to the international community, while at the same time leaving an impression of a "red, professional" person, both sharp in politics and gentle in diplomatic communication.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh received the Medal for the Cause of the National Assembly.

Sending best wishes to former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai stated that the title of Hero of Labor is the recognition of the Party and State for her important contributions in the field of foreign affairs, to the cause of national liberation struggle and national construction and defense.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Hai also stated that during her tenure in many positions, no matter the circumstances, former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh was absolutely loyal to the Party, the Fatherland and the people; maintained revolutionary ethics, and excellently completed all tasks assigned by the Party, the State and the people.

Wishing former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh good health and longevity, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai hopes that with her experience, the former Vice President will continue to monitor and share valuable opinions to contribute more to the cause of national construction and development in the new era.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/madame-binh-anh-hung-lao-dong-bieu-tuong-ngoai-giao-viet-nam-post2149049196.html