About Me
I am a Vietnamese revolutionary and statesman, who later became Prime Minister (1946–1955) and President (1946–1969) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
I am known for leading the Viet Minh independence movement from 1941 onward, , defeating the French Union in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu, and establishing the socialist governed Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945.
I am fluent in Vietnamese, several dialects of Chinese, English, and French. I am also known to speak Thai, Spanish, German, and Russian.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is named after me. Ho Chi Minh is the alias I have used most recently. Another well known alias of mine is Nguyen Ai Quoc, which translates to Nguyen the Patriot. Throughout my life I have assumed the identities of many different people with variant names and ethnic origins. I have had to do this because western capitalist countries have condemned me to death, and I must constantly elude their clutches. My death is called for because fighting for my country's independence comes in direct conflict with the agendas of western imperial capitalist powers in Indochina who are here to oppress, exploit,and ultimately profit.
It was patriotism, not communism, which inspired me... Inspired me to fight the unchecked and brutal imperialism present in Indochina, first administered by the French then by the Americans.
I was born, as Nguyen Sinh Cung, in 1890 in Hoang Tru, my mother's hometown. From 1895 onward, I grew up in my father's hometown of Kim Lien, Nam Dan District, Nghe An Province, Vietnam.
As far back as I can remember I always knew that I wanted to help the Vietnamese people, but I did not know how I could achieve this goal. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I must travel abroad looking for a solution because in the wake of French oppression there were no answers to be found at home, only suffering and dejection.
In 1911, at the age of 21, I left Vietnam on a French steamer, the Amiral Latouche-Treville, working as a kitchen helper. After a brief stop in Marseilles, France I arrived in The United States of America. I lived in Harlem, New York from 1912 to 1913. In Harlem, much to my dismay, I worked a variety menial jobs. Eventually, I was able to secure a job as a baker, which was quite enjoyable.
In late 1913 I returned to Europe. From 1913 to 1922 I lived in various European nations, but most of my time was spent in Paris, France. Throughout my years in Europe I studied diligently with the hope of finding a solution that would enable me to end my country's suffering. I was astonished by the freedom and fairness that was given to native French citizens, while my people in Vietnam were oppressed and exploited under the same government.
Eventually, I came into contact with a group of people who wished to see Vietnam liberated and its people freed. These people were all either members of the French Communist Party or ardent supporters of the ideals that the party embodied. I quickly realized that the only European allies I had were the communists.
As time went on I began to make a name for myself in France's communist community. Nguyen Ai Quoc was the alias I used, and under this name I constantly petitioned the French government for equal rights in French Indochina. Unfortunately, it was apparent that the French government was not open to the idea of equality in Indochina let alone relinquishing their imperial powers.
In 1923, I moved to China working as a Comintern agent for the Soviet Union. From 1923 to 1931, I worked in many different areas of China and made frequent trips back to the Soviet Union. I would like to note that when I first came into contact with the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin was alive and presiding over the socialist government in place. I was never as fond of Stalin, but I had already chosen to ally myself with the Soviet Union, and when he seized power there was no turning back. Regardless, on numerous occasions I attempted to befriend the United States. However, my call for friendship rendered no response. America's refusal to consider my call for friendship forced me to strengthen my country's allegiance to the Soviet Union.
In June of 1931 I was captured in Hong Kong and imprisoned by British authorities. I was released in 1933 and to this day I am surprised that I survived. From 1933 to 1941, I spent time in both Russia and China preparing to return home and lead my people to Independence.
In 1941, I returned to Vietnam to lead the Viet Minh independence movement... and the rest is history.
Both capitalist and communist states in existence have strayed far from what was initially envisioned. Vast change is needed to secure peace and justice... I am much to old to bring about this change, so I leave this burden to you.
