Part 1: Hero of Vietnam
PANO – For foreign leaders, historians, diplomats and even former enemies of Vietnam, the first impression of the Commander-in-chief of the Vietnam People’s Army, General Vo Nguyen Giap, when meeting with him, was his simplicity, friendliness and wide knowledge of all fields.
When alive, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez used to say that till his life’s end, he would never forget his meeting with General Vo Nguyen Giap in early August 2006. That meeting was a boundless honour for the Venezuelan revolutionary soldier.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and General Vo Nguyen Giap in their meeting on August 1st, 2006 at the General's house
In that meeting, Hugo Chavez held that he admired General Vo Nguyen Giap since he was a soldier, so he always wished to meet with the Vietnamese general at least once in his life. And that wish came true in 2006.
Though being very busy in that visit to Vietnam, President Hugo Chavez spent time having a talk with General Vo Nguyen Giap. In nearly an hour of talking about present issues, national construction and protection, the future of socialism, President Hugo Chavez further understood General Giap’s personality, wide knowledge, bravery and sincerity.
Like her Venezuelan counterpart, the first female Chilean President Michelle Bachelet had a chance to meet with General Vo Nguyen Giap, who she really admired when she joined hands with people all over the world in supporting the Vietnamese people’s brave fight against foreign invaders for national freedom and independence.
In the meeting with the Vietnamese general in November 2006, she had a deep impression of the general who is seen as a hero by not only by Vietnamese people, but also the mankind. She said that the white-haired General welcomed her in his familiar military uniform and in a small and simple room. That is a rare image of the general.
In meetings with the Venezuelan and Chilean leaders in 2006 and even Brazilian President Lula Da Silva in 2008, General Vo Nguyen Giap impressed them with his military talent and wisdom.
In his meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, General Giap talked about Bolivia’s revolution. Meanwhile, talking with Brazilian President Lula Da Silva, he laid stress on youth – the country’s owners in the future. According to General Vo Nguyen Giap, each country should give priority for training and educating the young generation to help them learn more about their national tradition as well as the fruitful Vietnam-Brazil friendship.
In his meeting with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, General Giap stressed the important role of today’s women. He held that, as the first female Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet would strongly contribute to the peace and improve the role of women in the world.
Not only supporters of Vietnam in the Vietnam War, but also Vietnam War veterans, such as Bobby Muller, Head of Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, have to admit that General Vo Nguyen Giap is a stern, energetic and inspired person.
Meeting with the Vietnamese general on December 17th, 2006, Bobby Muller said that what he noted after participating in the Vietnam War was the respect for people of the other side. US troops used to think that they were the most elite troops, fully equipped with modern weapons, so they could defeat their rivals. However, the fact was that the flag flying on the top of the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City was not the national flag of the US. That was partly contributed by talented General Vo Nguyen Giap.
Notably, those foreign guests often return home with a special gift from General Vo Nguyen Giap, the book “Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts and Vietnam’s revolutionary road” with the General’s dedication.
Acknowledging his credit, Times Asia honoured General Vo Nguyen Giap as an Asian hero who contributed to changing the face of the continent in recent decades. According to Times Asia, under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the Vietnamese army had a resounding win in the 56-day military campaign and wiped out the Dien Bien Phu group of fortresses of French colonialists in 1954, ending the presence of colonialism in Vietnam and of American imperialists later.
Translated by Mai Huong
Đăng ký: VietNam News