The National Liberation Front of South Vietnam: A historical creation.

BHG - Implementing the policy of the Southern Party Committee on the establishment of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, on December 20, 1960, in the liberated area of ​​Chau Thanh district, Tay Ninh province, the Congress to establish the Front took place. It can be said that this was a historical creation of our Party. Grasping the reality of the Dong Khoi movement, in 1959 the Central Executive Committee (term II) issued Resolution 15 with the important content that the Southern revolution moved to the stage of combining political struggle with armed struggle with the goal of overthrowing the puppet regime of Ngo Dinh Diem, a lackey of American imperialism.

BHG - Implementing the policy of the Southern Regional Party Committee on the establishment of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, on December 20, 1960, the founding congress of the Front took place in the liberated area of ​​Chau Thanh district, Tay Ninh province. This can be considered a historically significant innovation of our Party. Understanding the realities of the Đồng Khởi movement, in 1959 the Central Executive Committee (2nd term) issued Resolution 15, with the important content that the revolution in South Vietnam would enter a stage combining political and armed struggle with the goal of overthrowing the puppet regime of Ngo Dinh Diem, a tool of the American imperialists.

The establishment of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam openly affirmed its role as the true political organization representing the people of South Vietnam in their struggle to expel the American imperialists and overthrow the Saigon puppet army and government in the face of their brutal repression of the revolutionary movement. The National Liberation Front of South Vietnam advocated: “Uniting all strata, classes, ethnic groups, parties, organizations, religions, and patriotic intellectuals, regardless of political leanings, to fight against the domination of American imperialism and the dictatorial regime, to achieve independence, democracy, peace, neutrality , and ultimately national reunification.” The Front outlined a 10-point program of action with the goal of: “Overthrowing the disguised colonial regime of the American invaders, the dictatorial regime of Ngo Dinh Diem, and establishing a national, democratic, and coalition government.”

Thus, the resistance war against American imperialism and its puppets in South Vietnam from this point (1960) had a banner to unite the entire people: the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. President Ho Chi Minh considered this "a front of the people, closely and broadly united, a force that will surely win."

Because it met the development requirements of the resistance war and resonated with the people's will, the Front quickly built a complete organizational system down to the grassroots level. Just two years after its establishment, by October 1962, 38 out of 41 provinces and cities in South Vietnam had Front Committees. All villages and communes in the liberated areas and "leopard skin" zones had Front bases. Under the banner of the Front, by 1963, the liberated areas had expanded to 76% at the provincial level and 50% at the grassroots level throughout South Vietnam. Through member organizations such as the Liberation Labor Union, the Union of Students, the Liberation Women's Union, the Patriotic Catholic Association, the Buddhist Association of the Six Harmonies, etc., the Front mobilized and gathered large numbers of people from all walks of life to rise up and participate in the fight against enemy sweeps and terror; isolated and eliminated cruel oppressors; and persuaded tens of thousands of soldiers and government officials to join the people.

Through its diverse and popular activities, the Front's prestige quickly spread. Before the establishment of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, the Front assumed the role of a revolutionary government; it had its own flag and national anthem; and it was the only genuine representative organization of the people of South Vietnam.

In fact, by 1968, the Front had controlled a vast liberated area with 10 out of 14 million people in the South. The Front was the organization representing the struggle of the people of the South, calling on the entire population to resist and strongly condemning the war crimes committed by the US imperialists and their puppet army. It fought for peace in the South so that the world could better and more fully understand the just struggle against aggression to liberate the South and unify the country by the Vietnamese people.

From its inception until 1968, the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NLF) sent 139 delegations to international conferences, and 193 delegations representing the people of South Vietnam visited 60 countries on friendly visits. Over 200 organizations, committees, and solidarity movements were established to support and unite with the NLF in almost all countries and territories worldwide. Notably, 16 countries organized volunteer movements to help Vietnam fight the US, with millions of people registering. Beyond socialist countries, in Africa, South America, and throughout the world, especially in countries like France, Germany, Sweden, Japan, and even within the United States, widespread movements such as blood donations, demonstrations, and protests against US imperialism and the Vietnamese invasion of Vietnam emerged.

The effective activities of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and its international influence were extremely important contributions and were affirmed on the foreign relations front, especially at the negotiating table leading to the signing of the Paris Agreement on January 27, 1973, as well as in the Great Victory of Spring 1975.

The establishment and achievements of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam during the fierce resistance war against the US imperialists, amidst a complex global situation even within the socialist bloc, affirmed the correctness of our Party's line with the view of promoting the strength of the great national unity. When the US imperialists brought over 500,000 troops along with the troops of their allies, armed with modern weapons, to invade the South and launch fierce attacks in the North, the strength of the entire Vietnamese nation was unleashed to its fullest extent. The people of the South, under the banner of the Front, were the decisive force on the battlefield, along with comprehensive support from the North and the solidarity and support of international friends. With the slogan: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," and the determination to "drive out the Americans, overthrow the puppet regime," the Vietnamese nation triumphed.

Throughout the revolutionary leadership process, our Party has always sought innovation, especially at turning points in history. The Party has consistently upheld the principles of "the people are the foundation" and "the Fatherland comes first" to awaken the patriotic tradition, creativity, and solidarity of the entire nation in the struggle against foreign invaders to gain independence and in the construction of socialism during the reform period, achieving brilliant successes.

In the face of the current volatile and complex global situation, as our country continues to refine its reform process and streamline its organizational structure to achieve its set goals, the experience of the founding and operation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam remains highly relevant. We must steadfastly and firmly follow the chosen path, but always be creative and innovative to adapt, seize opportunities, and overcome difficulties and obstacles to move forward. The country is gaining new strength and momentum; therefore, it is crucial to fully utilize all resources, accurately assess its current position, overcome limitations and weaknesses, and harness the strength of national unity combined with the power of the times to enter a new era. Armed with the traditions of the nation, the historical spirit of the August Revolution of 1945 and the Great Victory of Spring 1975, along with the achievements of nearly 40 years of reform, we must steadily advance towards the goal of "a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, fairness, and civilization," enabling the country to "stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the world."

Dang Duy Bau

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/50-nam-giai-phong-mien-nam-thong-nhat-dat-nuoc/202504/mat-tran-dan-toc-giai-phong-mien-nam-viet-nam-mot-sang-tao-lich-su-2a347a4/