Phan Tu Nghia - an intellectual in the National Assembly

From an intellectual who studied abroad and joined the French Communist Party, Phan Tư Nghĩa participated in the patriotic movement and was elected to the first National Assembly. Throughout his life, this intellectual lived up to the people's trust.

Báo Thanh niên•07/01/2026

UNIVERSITY AND REVOLUTION

Born into a patriotic family, Phan Tu Nghia joined the French Communist Party in 1929 while studying there. In his memoirs, he recounted: "Choosing science only gave me a step forward culturally. Even with advanced scientific knowledge, I would still be a citizen of a lost country, a 'slave to a lost nation,' if I did not do anything for the independence of my homeland. I believe my choice of science was right, but not enough, as a French philosopher said: Science without conscience is merely the corruption of the soul."

Phan Tu Nghia - an intellectual in the National Assembly - Photo 1.

National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh meets with delegates of the first National Assembly.

Photo: Archival material

In France, many patriotic Vietnamese intellectual youths sought the path of national liberation. These included students Bui Van Thu, Tran Van Giau, Nguyen Van Duyt, and Do Dinh Thien. They became close friends and loved each other like brothers.

Upon returning to Vietnam in 1933, Phan Tư Nghĩa continued his activities within the Indochinese Democratic Front movement, contributing numerous articles to newspapers led by the Indochinese Communist Party, such as Lao động (Labor) and Tập hợp (Gathering ). In 1937, he was brought to trial by the French colonial authorities for journalistic activities.

In June 1944, Phan Tư Nghĩa was admitted to the Indochinese Communist Party and appointed as the branch secretary, carrying out mass mobilization work to prepare for the uprising in Hanoi. After the August Revolution of 1945, he was a member of the Provisional Revolutionary Committee of Northern Vietnam, in charge of economics and finance.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THAI BINH PROVINCE

In late 1945, upon receiving a telegram from the Administrative Committee of Thai Binh province (now Hung Yen province) inviting them to appear before the voters, Phan Tu Nghia, Le Tung Son, Nguyen Thanh Le, and Do Huu Du made arrangements to attend. According to Nghia's recollections, the list of candidates consisted of 20 people, from whom voters would choose 13 representatives to voice the opinions of the people of the entire province.

Phan Tu Nghia - an intellectual in the National Assembly - Photo 2.

National Assembly representative Phan Tư Nghĩa (1910-2009)

Photo: Family archives

Eighty years ago in Thai Binh, many people were illiterate, and hunger persisted. Therefore, when Mr. Bui Dang Chi, the provincial Propaganda Commissioner and a candidate for the National Assembly, was campaigning at Tho Vuc ferry terminal, a boy of about 6-7 years old ran up and grabbed his shirt, calling, "Dad, Dad!" He looked at his son and immediately asked, "Is Mom home? Have you eaten yet?" The boy rubbed his nose and didn't answer. Mr. Chi took a few coins from his pocket, gave them to his son, and instructed, "Tell Mom to buy some rice and potatoes too. I'll be back in a few days on a business trip."

Witnessing that story, Mr. Phan Tu Nghia was deeply moved and will forever remember those final years of his life, when he celebrated his centenary.

A question arose for Thai Binh province: how to organize a democratic and voluntary election? The voter and candidate lists were posted on time. The people were given several meetings to understand the significance of the general election as well as the backgrounds of each candidate. Finally, on election day, the vote count revealed that candidate Phan Tu Nghia was elected with a very high number of valid votes.

THE RED CRAVAT FACTION IN PARLIAMENT

At the second session of the National Assembly, on the morning of October 28, 1946, the people of the capital witnessed a striking scene: 10 delegates of the Socialist Party, wearing red ties, entered the Grand Theater. Voters recognized delegates Phan Tu Nghia, General Secretary of the Party and representative of Thai Binh province; Nguyen Xien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Northern Vietnam and representative of Kien An province; journalist Le Huy Van and representative of Phuc Yen province; and Le Thi Xuyen, President of the Vietnam Women's Union and representative of Quang Nam province, who, being a woman, did not wear a tie and therefore wore a red dress…

Speaking at the National Assembly, delegate Phan Tu Nghia analyzed and emphasized the main provisions: citizens' rights, ethnic equality, etc. At the end of his speech, he condemned the Viet Quoc and Viet Cach parties for demanding a change of the national flag, rejecting the red flag with a yellow star. The newspaper Thiet Thuc even printed a series of red and blue flags to choose from.

"...It would be a disgrace to do that. The red flag with the yellow star has been stained with the blood of so many heroic soldiers. I propose that the National Assembly solemnly honor this glorious national flag." As soon as Representative Phan Tu Nghia finished speaking, the entire hall rose to their feet in agreement, including several representatives from the Viet Quoc party. (to be continued)

National Assembly delegate Phan Tư Nghĩa (1910-2009) was born, raised, and engaged in revolutionary activities in Hanoi; he was the founding General Secretary of the Vietnam Socialist Party, a National Assembly delegate in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd terms (1946-1971); and a former member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. He was awarded many prestigious honors by the Party and State: the First-Class Independence Order; the 60-Year Party Membership Badge; the National Unity Order…

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phan-tu-nghia-nguoi-tri-thuc-trong-quoc-hoi-185260107201811267.htm