The Spirit of Revolution: Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology and its Lasting Impact

President Ho Chi Minh delivering the opening speech at the 3rd Party Congress on September 5, 1960. Photo: VNA

Dr. Ruvislei González Sáez, a prominent Vietnam expert in Latin America, shared his thoughts on President Ho Chi Minh to commemorate the 134th anniversary of his birth (May 19, 1890 – May 19, 2024).

González Sáez, Vice President of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, asserted that the profound ideology of President Ho Chi Minh—one of the most influential figures of the 20th century—continues to resonate with millions of Vietnamese people and revolutionaries worldwide.

He remarked that “Nguyen Sinh Cung, Nguyen Tat Thanh, and Nguyen Ai Quoc are the names of President Ho Chi Minh. His humanist ideas and remarkable progress have transcended Vietnam’s borders, exerting a profound influence on all of humanity.”

After years of studying Vietnam, the Cuban scholar deeply admired Uncle Ho’s ability to transcend adversity through thought and action. He dedicated his life to tireless struggle and became a timeless figure.

Young patriot Nguyen Ai Quoc (President Ho Chi Minh’s name during his revolutionary activities in France) at the 18th Congress of the French Socialist Party in Tours City, 1920. Photo: VNA

According to González Sáez, President Ho Chi Minh was both a dreamer and a realist. He envisioned a brighter future for his people and the oppressed worldwide. Ho Chi Minh led the way in freeing the nation from colonial rule and eradicating illiteracy.

Today, the S-shaped country in Southeast Asia is emerging as one of the world’s 15 most dynamic economies.

Since the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1930, Uncle Ho expressed his aspiration to build an independent Vietnam. He illuminated the path from slavery to independence, freedom, and progress.

Through a Marxist-Leninist lens, President Ho Chi Minh comprehended the complexities of his time and advocated for timely preparation and direction to prevent confusion in thought and action. His teachings remain pertinent today.

González Sáez was particularly struck by President Ho Chi Minh’s approachable, humble demeanor. His teachings are a blend of theoretical and practical wisdom, demonstrating a visionary perspective communicated in a simple, memorable manner.

The Cuban expert praised Ho Chi Minh as an exemplary leader of the Vietnamese Party and people, a hero of national liberation, and a distinguished cultural figure. Ho Chi Minh’s legacy is rich in valuable contributions, and his thoughts continue to guide the Party and the Vietnamese revolution.

Ho Chi Minh’s thought constitutes a comprehensive and profound theoretical, political, and ideological system that addresses the fundamental issues of the Vietnamese revolution with global implications, emphasizing matters of significance to humanity.

Consequently, the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), and the University of La Habana are committed to further exploring his thoughts and promoting the values of President Ho Chi Minh’s legacy in the contemporary era.

Dr. González Sáez underscored the significance of researching and perpetuating Ho Chi Minh’s legacy for future generations.

Uncle Ho’s ideology and moral foundation also play a crucial role in preserving and fostering the special traditional relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, despite the geographical distance between the two countries.