Happy National Day Vietnam!

After the 1917 October Socialist Revolution in Russia, it was the Vietnam Freedom struggle that attracted the most attention of the world. Most of the countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America were under the colonial rule of Britain, France, Portugal and Spain, till the first half of the 20th century.

Vietnam too became a colony under French rule in 1860.

The French colonialists were so inhuman that the innocent Vietnamese had to live like slaves and face untold suffering.

Freedom struggle

Ho Chi Minh, the great leader and a liberator gave leadership to the brave vietnamese to free their country from colonial rule of the French. First he formed an organization called “National Liberation Movement” and got the co-operation of peasants, workers, men, women, youths and intellectuals and in 1930 Vietnam Communist Party was formed.

When the second World War started in 1939, the war spread over Asia and in 1941 the Liberation Army of Vietnam was formed to fight against the Japanese and French imperialists on August 28, 1945, the Vietnam Liberation Army was able to defeat the French Army and on September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh declared and announced the formation of Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Although the Vietnam army was able to defeat the French Army, the problem did not end there.

As soon as the second world war was over, the French Army with the help of the American Army invaded vietnam.

From 1945 to 1953 an eight-year long war went on killing millions of Vietnamese, and Vietnamese were able to defeat the French army and capture “Fort Dian Bian Phu” the great fort of French in 1953, with the political guidance of the Vietnam Communist Party and correct leadership of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

In 1954, an agreement was signed in Geneva, with the participation of the United Nations, United States of America to bring peace to Vietnam and it was also agreed to respect the territorial integrity of all the countries in Indo-China.

But the United States of America did not honour this agreement and formed a puppet regime in the South Vietnam in 1954, making Din Diam the notorious ruler of the South and Saigon as his capital. To safeguard this puppet-regime thousands of American soldiers were brought to South Vietnam.

They killed millions of civilian Vietnamese, destroyed all the houses and villages and even the water-ways.

Ho Chi Minh, and the other leaders of the North Vietnam appealed to the peace-loving nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America and other 3rd World countries to help Vietnam to chase away the Americans.

This innocent call was answered well by the people of world and President Ho Chi Minh was able to form a world opinion, with the help of the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China.

Vietnam solidarity Associations were formed all over the world to give a moral support to vietnam. Sri Lanka too formed the Sri Lanka-Vietnam Solidarity Association and its leaders were Ven Udakendawela Saranankara Thera, Dr S A Wickramasinghe, T B Subasinghe and A Aziz.

This organization was able to get the co-operation of all the communities, religions, farmers, workers, youths (specially university students) men, women and intellectuals.

They organized photographic exhibitions, public meetings, protests and collected funds to help the injured soldiers of Vietnam. Later Ven Medagoda Sumanatissa Nayake Thera, of Sunethradevi Maha Pirivena became the President and S Sudasinghe was elected the secretary.

The people of South Vietnam with the help of North vietnam were able to defeat the puppet regime of Din Diam in April 1975 and both countries were United and named it as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

But President Ho Chi Minh did not live to see this new nation, he passed away on September 3, 1969 at the age of 79 years.

Economic Development

Vietnam is basically an agricultural country. Rice is the Main crop and Vietnam has become the 2nd largest producer of rice in the world from 1980 to 1985, the economy of Vietnam experienced a serious crisis.

To face this situation Vietnam Communist Party in 1986 introduced “Doi Moi” policy which marked the historical turning point in the edification and developing process of the country.

With this, Vietnam has achieved major successes and significant improvements after 15 years.

They are now implementing an open-door policy, to join the international market and become an industrialised country before 2020.

International Relations

Vietnam has Diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level in about 170 countries including Sri Lanka. The traditional friendship and Co-operation between our two countries have strengthened over the years for mutual benefits of our two countries. Vietnam wishes to befriend all nations of the world for the sake of peace, independence and development. Vietnam is a member of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, Asian and APEC and also has expanded cordial relations with all the countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Trusted friend of Sri Lanka

To strengthen the cordial relations, Sirimavo Bandaranaike paid an official visit to Vietnam in 1975 and Prime Minister of Vietnam Phan Van Dong visited Sri Lanka in 1978.

Late Mr Kadirgamar too paid an official visit in 1999 to sign some agreements.

In February 2004, Sri Lanka-Vietnam Solidarity Association delegation visited, Hanoi to Sign an agreement to exchange, cultural, religious and social delegations to strengthen our friendship and very specially, Buddhist delegations of our two countries.

Vietnam as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, stood firmly with other nations like Russia, China, India and Cuba and gave Sri Lanka her unwavering support to defeat the move of some powerful countries in the West when they tried to interfere with the internal affairs of Sri Lanka, after LTTE was defeated.

In May this year, a new Vietnamese Ambassador, Ton Sinh Thanh has assumed duties and a new Embassy was opened in Colombo.

This will help Sri Lanka and Vietnam to strengthen the cordial relations, friendship and solidarity.

May the Friendship and solidarity live for ever!

Richard Basnayake,
Secretary,
Sri Lanka-Vietnam Friendship Association,
Matale Branch.