'Heart for the country': Memories of the career of diplomat Nguyen Thi Binh

“My life is tied to the life of the nation… I compare our country to a boat. Through many rapids, the boat of the Fatherland has set sail to the open sea, ahead is a new horizon.” That is a simple yet ideologically valuable sentence by diplomat Nguyen Thi Binh in her memoir “A Heart for the Country.”

On August 15, the Hoan Kiem Ward Culture, Information and Sports Center coordinated with the Truth National Political Publishing House to organize a book introduction, aiming to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

According to Mr. Do Tien Dung, Deputy Director of the Publishing Center, National Political Publishing House Truth, the book is over 600 pages thick, collecting speeches, articles and typical interviews of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh during her revolutionary activities and diplomatic struggles.

Dr. Tran Doan Lam shares at the book launch. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

The first part, titled “Thoughts on the country, the people and the Party,” includes articles, speeches and interviews by Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, deeply expressing her political ideology and steadfast belief in the revolutionary path chosen by the Party and Uncle Ho, along with her thoughts and concerns about the future of the country and the young generation.

The second part, titled “Diplomacy and Lessons,” is her reminiscence and analysis of the foreign affairs process, especially the Paris Agreement negotiation period, from the battlefield context, international pressure to strategic moves at the negotiating table.

Part three - “For an honest, healthy, modern education ,” includes articles, speeches, and interviews. The articles demonstrate the depth of an educator, with her intimate yet intellectual sharing about building a comprehensive education that values morality, personality, intelligence, and life ideals of the young generation.

One of the highlights of the book is her recollections of the Paris negotiations - an event that marked a major turning point in Vietnam's revolutionary diplomacy. As the Head of the negotiating delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (1968) and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam (from 1969 to 1973), Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh was also the only woman sitting at the negotiating table between the parties.

But what makes the book so appealing is not the recounting of her achievements, but the way she shares her concerns, thoughts, and even private moments placed in the context of the country's movements.

For example, in 1992, when she was nominated for the position of Vice President, she refused because she was preparing to retire. But then, with a heart for the country, she asked herself: "Whatever I do, it is for the country, not for any other purpose." That simple answer is a profound testament to the ethics of public service, to the sense of responsibility of a revolutionary cadre, who devotes his whole life without regard for title.

The two books will be displayed at the Hoan Kiem Ward Library, 42 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

Speaking at the book launch, Dr. Tran Doan Lam, former Director of The Gioi Publishing House, said that the book has a strong influence, becoming a source of inspiration not only for today's readers but also for future generations. Through each page of the book, readers will find a lesson about personality, about leadership models, and above all, a loyal heart to the country.

“This year, the National Political Publishing House published the book ‘Family, Friends and Country,’ a memoir by Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, with a circulation of up to 48,000 copies. This is a phenomenon in the publishing industry, because normally books only print 4,000-5,000 copies,” said Dr. Tran Doan Lam.

Dr. Tran Doan Lam believes that this number shows the great sympathy from readers for the spiritual values that Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh conveys in a political-memoir work.

“These two books complement each other, clarifying the memories, ideals, and reason for living of a legendary figure of the Vietnamese revolution and diplomacy,” said Dr. Tran Doan Lam./.

Books by author Nguyen Thi Binh are on display from August 15 to September 15 at Hoan Kiem Ward Library, 42 Nha Chung, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tam-long-voi-dat-nuoc-ky-uc-ve-su-nghiep-cua-nha-ngoai-giao-nguyen-thi-binh-post1055855.vnp