The peace envoy in the 1973 Paris Agreement negotiations

On January 27, 1973, the Paris Agreement ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam was signed. Contributing to that resounding success of Vietnamese diplomacy, there was a woman who made the whole world admire...

Nguyen Thi Binh, head of the negotiating delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, at the Paris Conference, January 27, 1973.

Female leader of the "Viet Cong" delegation

On January 27, 1973, the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam (the Paris Agreement) was signed, marking a crucial turning point in our people's struggle against the US and for national liberation. Besides the illustrious figures of Vietnamese diplomacy such as Le Duc Tho and Xuan Thuy, Nguyen Thi Binh, Vietnam's first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam's negotiating delegation at the Paris Conference that year, is still remembered with admiration.

In her memoir "Family, Friends, and Country," Nguyen Thi Binh called diplomacy a special front in the resistance war against the US to save the country, a heavy task, "a very important chapter in my life's work."

The event of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh assuming the responsibility of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the negotiating delegation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam at the Paris Conference caused a "storm" in the international media. The press at the time hunted for images and biographies of the woman who headed the "Viet Cong" delegation.

During her years participating in the Paris Peace Conference negotiations, "Madam Binh," as she was known by the media, always made a strong impression on the Western press with her persuasive, intelligent, sometimes firm, sometimes witty speeches that earned her the respect of the world and the admiration of the people.

According to French journalist Madeleine Riffaud, every politician commented: "The Viet Cong won big with the reception of Madam Binh in Paris. Madam Binh was like a queen, welcomed like a head of state, with full formality and enthusiastic applause. Madam Binh shook public opinion in Paris and the world. The National Liberation Front flag flew high in Paris. Wonderful! Truly rare!"

The Paris Agreement involved 201 public sessions, 45 high-level private meetings, 500 press conferences, 1,000 interviews, and thousands of anti-war rallies in support of Vietnam. Every Thursday, Parisians would witness "Madam Binh," elegantly dressed in a traditional Vietnamese ao dai, arriving at the International Conference Hall to hold press conferences, give interviews, and attend international conferences in her capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Nguyen Thi Binh, head of the negotiating delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, answers questions from journalists at the 1973 Paris Conference.

According to Nguyen Thi Binh's memoir, there were international press conferences with up to 400 journalists, or on one occasion, during a live television broadcast, she had to answer interviews (in French) from dozens of French and American reporters. Alone among seasoned journalists, under the bright lights, she calmly responded, firmly but politely, clearly stating her goodwill in wanting to find a political solution to end the war.

The French news agency AFP described her as follows: "Madam Binh wore a traditional Vietnamese ao dai made of green silk, looking very comfortable. Occasionally, Madam Binh would smile, making her face even more radiant, and she answered journalists clearly and concisely, giving the impression of being in the presence of a confident and capable lady."

Diplomacy from heart to heart.

Throughout her many years involved in diplomacy, she called it people-to-people diplomacy. This means connecting people, connecting hearts. She brought her friends back to their people. Her friends came from diverse backgrounds, social classes, and professions, from ordinary citizens to heads of state from various political regimes.

She traveled across continents, campaigning and garnering international support for the just cause of the Vietnamese people, preparing information to deliver sharp diplomatic attacks during negotiations... Her forceful yet compassionate and logical arguments spread throughout countries, permeated international public opinion, and resonated through newspapers and media, inspiring admiration for a small nation that dared to stand up against a larger power to defend its right to live in independence and freedom.

The Paris Peace Conference on ending the Vietnam War was the longest diplomatic negotiation in the history of world negotiations, lasting 4 years, 8 months, and 16 days. She made an impression by demonstrating her ability to combine firmness and flexibility. Her strong proposals and sharp diplomatic style as the only woman at the negotiating table attracted significant attention from the West. At the negotiating table, everyone perceived Nguyen Thi Binh as a woman who was both gentle and skillful, yet full of character.

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Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh at the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

In the fierce struggle between a small country and an empire, the fact that the delegation was led by a woman who both attracted attention and garnered the goodwill of world public opinion clearly created favorable conditions for diplomatic activities, as she later remarked: "If you are a woman who knows how to behave skillfully, people are more likely to be sympathetic and will listen to what you want to say about your position."

When speaking about her personal life, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh affirmed: "I am a happy person," because "I married the man I love." For several Lunar New Year holidays, she was unable to be with her husband and children, having to celebrate the holiday abroad. Whenever she missed her husband and children, she could only silently suppress her feelings…

The woman told herself, "A good revolutionary is caring for one's young children." How could she not miss them, not care for them, when when she left, her eldest child was only 8 years old, and the youngest was only 4, an age when they desperately needed their mother's care and love? Because of her duty and responsibility to the country, she had to send her children to relatives to raise them.

"I was chosen to sign a historic document on behalf of the people of South Vietnam. The result of the Agreement was the blood and sacrifice of our compatriots and comrades. At that moment, I thought of loved ones who had passed away and could not witness these historic moments... I was deeply moved and tears welled up in my eyes. That feeling has stayed with me throughout my life." - Excerpt from the memoir "Family, Friends and Country" by Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, former Vice President, the first female Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and head of the negotiating delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam at the Paris Conference.

Back then, living conditions were very difficult. In her memoirs, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh shared: "We lived very simply. Some journalists wanted to film the daily life and living arrangements of the 'Viet Cong' leader, but we resolutely refused, citing Vietnamese customs that forbade the public exposure of women's private lives. In reality, it was difficult for us to show them where I and Binh Thanh (Pham Thanh Van) lived; it was on the attic floor, just two iron beds like in a hospital. Some curious journalists asked me where I got my ao dai made, where I got my hair done, where I got my beauty treatments, and I tried to deflect the questions..."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/vi-su-gia-hoa-binh-trong-dam-phan-hiep-dinh-paris-1973-302545.html