Former President Tran Duc Luong - a life dedicated to the Fatherland and the People

The passing of Comrade Tran Duc Luong, former member of the Politburo and former President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a great loss to the Party, the State, and our people.

President Tran Duc Luong meets with young talents in the fields of education , culture, arts, and sports (Hanoi, January 23, 2000). (Photo: VNA)

For me, it was the loss of a brother, a comrade with whom I had shared decades of revolutionary journey.

Mr. Tran Duc Luong belonged to the first generation of intellectuals trained and educated by the Party. Starting as a geological engineer, he matured through revolutionary practice, eventually rising to the highest ranks of the country's leadership through his talent, character, and unwavering resolve.

In my memory, Mr. Tran Duc Luong was a simple yet profound person, strict yet kind; he possessed sharp thinking, the decisiveness of a leader, and the intellectual depth and seriousness of a scientist .

In my memory, Mr. Tran Duc Luong was a simple yet profound person, strict yet kind; he possessed sharp thinking, the decisiveness of a leader, and the intellectual depth and seriousness of a scientist.

I served as the Party Secretary of Song Be Province when this region was still facing many difficulties. In response to the urgent needs of the people, the provincial leadership proposed a policy of allocating barren land and degraded forest land to the people for cultivation.

When the proposal was first submitted to the Central Committee, there were initially many doubts. Tran Duc Luong and Nguyen Cong Tan, then Deputy Prime Ministers , were sent by the Prime Minister to Song Be several times to listen to opinions, clearly understand the reality, and ultimately reach a consensus.

You gentlemen, on behalf of the Government, directed the removal of obstacles so that the policy could be implemented promptly, enabling thousands of households to receive land, stabilize their lives, and create momentum for local socio-economic development. That support at the time was not only administrative in nature, but also demonstrated a deep understanding of the practical realities and a genuine concern for the people.

During my time in Song Be, I pondered why, during the revolution, the people fought to defend their land, sacrificing their lives without hesitation, yet poverty persisted even after peace was restored. From this concern, local leaders initiated the model of a concentrated industrial zone – a concept that was still relatively new.

Under the direct and close guidance of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Duc Luong, all obstacles were removed, and industrial zones gradually took shape, creating a solid foundation for Binh Duong to later become one of the country's industrial centers. This is proof of the strategic vision of a leader who always prioritizes the development of the nation.

When I returned to Ho Chi Minh City to take up the position of Secretary of the City Party Committee, Mr. Tran Duc Luong was already the President of the country. He frequently visited the city and gave practical directives aimed at fostering innovative breakthroughs in its development.

In his meetings with city leaders, he was always approachable, attentive, and provided close guidance. The implementation of the High-Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City – a novel idea at the time – was partly due to the crucial support of President Tran Duc Luong. This was the support of a scientist in a state management position, possessing intellectual depth, and a willingness to think outside the box and take action.

In 2005, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, Ho Chi Minh City was awarded the title of Heroic City of the Renovation Period by the Party and the State. I had the opportunity to work with the President many times, receiving extremely meticulous and responsible guidance from him in preparing for that momentous event.

The radiant, proud smiles of the comrades and fellow citizens of Ho Chi Minh City back then remain etched in my memory to this day.

Mr. Tran Duc Luong held the important position of President of Vietnam during a period of national transformation, accelerating the process of integration, affirming its position on the international stage, and expanding multilateral and diversified diplomatic relations.

In this role, he consistently portrayed an image of a reformed, peaceful, cooperative, and developing Vietnam, promoting Vietnam's accession to ASEAN and making solid preparations for and witnessing the process of joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).

It can be affirmed that Mr. Tran Duc Luong contributed to enhancing Vietnam's position on the international stage through numerous high-level visits and meetings with leaders of other countries. His calm demeanor, firm and flexible yet resolute thinking left a deep impression on international friends, contributing to affirming the image of a reformed, integrated, and responsible Vietnam in the international community.

In 1997, the Francophone Summit was held for the first time in Vietnam. This was the largest diplomatic event we had hosted since the Doi Moi (Renovation) period, and also the first time an Asian country had chaired a summit of the Francophone Community.

At the conference, President Tran Duc Luong delivered the opening speech in French, surprising high-ranking representatives from countries and territories in the Francophone community, including 35 heads of state. This served as a message emphasizing Vietnam's goodwill and commitment to promoting multilateral cooperation, and was also a significant diplomatic milestone, demonstrating Vietnam's high level of diplomatic skill during this period of integration, showcasing its capabilities, confidence, and position at this crucial time.

French President Jacques Chirac, who attended the conference at the time, highly appreciated Vietnam and called it a symbol of integration.

We surely remember the official visit to our country by US President Bill Clinton in 2000, the first visit by a sitting US President since the war. This historic meeting can be likened to an icebreaker, bringing the first warmth to relations between the two countries after many interruptions, marking the normalization of comprehensive relations between the two nations.

President Bill Clinton at the time expressed his deep impression of a modern and dynamic Vietnam, and was particularly impressed by the calm yet resolute demeanor of President Tran Duc Luong. It was this spirit and demeanor, demonstrated in pivotal events, that contributed to enhancing Vietnam's position and image on the international stage during this period of integration.

One could liken the achievements in foreign affairs during President Tran Duc Luong's term to a river that has been opened up, and I, as his successor, continue the task, together with the leadership team, of steering the Vietnamese ship out to the open sea.

As President, Tran Duc Luong always valued national unity, emphasized promoting democracy while maintaining discipline, and building a socialist rule of law state.

When the Politburo decided to establish the Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, he was assigned as its head. With this important task, he directed the vigorous implementation of the Politburo's Resolution 08 on judicial reform, paying close attention to strengthening law enforcement agencies, elevating the level of judicial work, and meeting the requirements of the Party and the people for judicial work.

After the first five years of implementing judicial reform, the situation has changed significantly. Judicial work is receiving increasing attention, laws are being strengthened, and legal institutions are becoming more complete and robust. Most encouragingly, citizens are becoming more aware of and compliant with the law, and legal education is being improved and becoming a regular practice.

He also made many important contributions in the fields of emulation and commendation, amnesty, and policies that profoundly reflected the spirit of humanity, for the sake of people and the progress of society. He often emphasized: Emulation must be genuine, commendation must be fair, and amnesty must provide an opportunity for repentant people to rebuild their lives.

The President is considered the symbol of a nation; he must be exemplary, honest, close to the people, understand the people, serve the people, and be loved and respected by the people. Mr. Tran Duc Luong was a beautiful symbol in the eyes of our people as well as international friends. Those who worked with him and were close to him all remember a leader of great stature, an intellectual scientist, and a simple, pure role model.

He passed away quietly, just like his humble way of life, leaving behind deep sorrow in the hearts of his comrades and compatriots, and the respect of international friends. His career and character will forever be a noble image of the dignity of a revolutionary cadre, and will forever be a silent but persistent flame, inspiring future generations to follow in the path of serving the Fatherland and the people.

NGUYEN MINH TRIET

Former Member of the Political Bureau, former President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nguyen-chu-tich-nuoc-tran-duc-luong-mot-doi-tan-hien-vi-to-quoc-va-nhan-dan-post881970.html