Workshop highlights Ton Duc Thang – outstanding revolutionary leader

President Ton Duc Thang (front, centre) was the first president of the reunified Socialist Republic of Vietnam who served in office from 1976 - 1980

The workshop was held by the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy in coordination with the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Education and Popularisation and the Party Committee of the Mekong Delta province of An Giang.

The event received 45 papers from officials and scientists at central and local agencies, which described the late President as an exemplary communist and an outstanding leader of the Vietnamese revolution.

President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Bui Van Cuong discussed factors that affected the late President’s decision to become a worker, his participation in workers’ movement during 1906-1916, his role in the formation of secret workers’ union and his leadership of strikes by workers in Sai Gon during 1920-1930.

Cuong also spotlighted Ton Duc Thang’s contribution to the revolutionary cause of the nation, and drew lessons from his contributions to workers and trade union’s movements in Vietnam.

A paper by Associate Professor-Dr Tran Minh Truong from the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy discussed in length the leading role of the President during 15 years he was imprisoned in Con Dao. He was the founder and leader of the Party cell in the Con Dao prison.

Professor-Dr Pham Hong Chuong from the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy presented reasons why President Ton Duc Thang was considered to be the most outstanding example in implementing President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology on national unity.

Concluding the event, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council and Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy Prof-Dr Nguyen Xuan Thang said the papers presented at the workshop had provided deeper insights into the revolutionary career and contributions of President Ton Duc Thang as the founder of the first workers’ union in Vietnam, a pioneer and a leader of the Vietnamese working class.

He emphasized that Ton Duc Thang is an exemplary communist who had devoted his entire life to the cause of national liberation for people’s freedom and happiness. He is also a bright example of revolutionary ethics.