Nguyễn Ái Quốc và hành trình tại Quốc tế Cộng sản | Chuyện với Thanh

Key Concepts

• Nguyễn Tất Thành/Nguyễn Ái Quốc/Hồ Chí Minh: The central figure, his evolution from a young man seeking knowledge to a revolutionary leader.
• Khoảng lặng bí ẩn (Mysterious Lulls): Periods of intense preparation and learning before significant actions.
• Yêu sách (Demands/Petition): Nguyễn Tất Thành's presentation of demands at the Palace of Versailles.
• Quốc tế Cộng sản (Comintern): The Communist International, a global organization of communist parties.
• Luận cương các vấn đề dân tộc và thuộc địa (Theses on National and Colonial Questions): Lenin's influential work on decolonization and revolution.
• Thanh niên cách mạng đồng chí hội (Revolutionary Youth League): An organization founded by Nguyễn Ái Quốc in Guangzhou to train Vietnamese revolutionaries.
• Chủ nghĩa dân tộc (Nationalism): A core ideology driving the Vietnamese revolution.
• Cách mạng xã hội (Social Revolution): The broader goal of establishing a socialist society.
• Tôn Trung Sơn (Sun Yat-sen): A key figure in Chinese revolutionary history, whose ideas influenced Vietnamese revolutionaries.
• Quốc dân đảng (Kuomintang): The Nationalist Party of China.
• Tưởng Giới Thạch (Chiang Kai-shek): Leader of the Kuomintang who later turned against communists.

The Journey of Nguyễn Ái Quốc: From Seeker to Leader

This summary details the formative years and early revolutionary activities of Nguyễn Ái Quốc (later Hồ Chí Minh), focusing on his strategic preparations, ideological development, and key actions that positioned him as a pivotal leader in the Vietnamese independence movement.

Early Preparations and the Paris Petition

The narrative begins by questioning how a young man from a colonized nation could appear at a significant political party's founding congress. This is framed by the concept of "mysterious lulls" in Nguyễn Ái Quốc's life, periods of intense study and preparation preceding major breakthroughs. Nguyễn Tất Thành, as he was then known, dedicated himself to acquiring knowledge by traveling extensively and reading widely. His presentation of a petition at the Palace of Versailles, a bold act, marked a significant transformation, shifting him from an unknown youth to Nguyễn Hải Quốc, a figure discussed by French and Western powers, and a symbol of a new revolutionary path for Vietnam. This event, though risky, propelled him to prominence, overshadowing earlier figures like Phan Chu Trinh and Phan Bội Châu.

The Russian Sojourn: Ideological Grounding

Following his emergence in Paris, Nguyễn Ái Quốc embarked on a crucial journey to Soviet Russia, the center of the proletarian revolution. This move is contrasted with his familiarity with French culture and language, highlighting the deliberate choice to engage with a vastly different and complex geopolitical landscape. The transcript speculates on his motivations, suggesting a belief that Lenin was a rare European revolutionary genuinely interested in the liberation of colonized nations. The text emphasizes that his subsequent actions would be meticulously documented by both French intelligence and his comrades.

The Paris Congress and the Shift in Leadership

The summary revisits the events in Paris, emphasizing the "spectacular generational handover" in the Vietnamese revolutionary movement. Nguyễn Ái Quốc's direct presentation of the petition and his decisive speeches, coupled with Phan Chu Trinh's support, solidified his new image, erasing the memory of Nguyễn Tất Thành, the kitchen boy.

A personal anecdote from the speaker illustrates the concept of generational change and the importance of understanding competitors. The speaker recounts his experience with a Chinese company, NOP, which was superior to his own. A visit to NOP revealed their leader, a scientist who had embraced entrepreneurship, had a long-term vision. This leader's project, "Shikang," focused on AI and big data, a foresight that impressed the speaker. The leader's advice about the rapid pace of technological change and the need for young, disruptive talent resonates with the broader theme of revolutionary succession. The speaker draws a parallel to Vietnam, suggesting a lack of technological breakthroughs due to a culture of complacency and a reluctance to challenge established norms, contrasting it with the aggressive innovation seen in China's AI sector.

Nguyễn Ái Quốc's Strategic Engagement with the Comintern

The narrative then delves into Nguyễn Ái Quốc's interactions with the Comintern, particularly at the Fourth Congress. Despite not fully grasping Marxism, he prioritized his nation's interests. His direct and unscripted speech on the first day, denouncing colonial brutality and calling for socialist support for oppressed peoples, immediately distinguished him. He recognized that European revolutionaries, often from imperialist nations, lacked a deep understanding of colonial struggles.

His proactive approach extended to writing to the French Communist Party and the Comintern's leadership, criticizing their inaction on colonial issues and proposing strategies for Indochina. He analyzed Vietnam's social structure, identifying the potential of the peasantry and the need for a united front between nationalist forces and the Communist Party. His ideas aligned with Lenin's "Theses on National and Colonial Questions," which he found to be the "key to our liberation."

Key Engagements and Influence within the Comintern

The transcript highlights Nguyễn Ái Quốc's participation in various international forums, including the International Peasant Conference and the Congress of the Comintern. He was elected to the presidium of the International Peasant Council and became a recognized voice for Asian and colonial issues within the Comintern. He interacted with prominent figures like Lenin's widow, Nadezhda Krupskaya, and other international revolutionaries such as Bukharin, Dimitrov, and Thälmann. He also reconnected with Chinese comrades like Zhou Enlai and met Chiang Kai-shek. His humility and sincerity, as noted by Ruth Fischer, were key to his ability to connect with others.

Advocating for Colonial Liberation at the Fifth Comintern Congress

The Fifth Congress of the Comintern in 1924 provided Nguyễn Ái Quốc with a crucial platform. He challenged the draft resolutions, demanding that the concerns of colonial peoples be explicitly addressed. In his powerful speech, he argued that the fate of the global proletariat was intrinsically linked to that of oppressed colonial nations, which served as the backbone of imperialist power. He criticized the colonial powers for their exploitative practices and urged the Comintern to invest resources in revolutionary propaganda and support for the colonies. He also criticized the French Communist Party and other European communist parties for their inadequate attention to colonial issues, proposing concrete measures for improvement. He emphasized the potential of the peasantry, who were suffering from famine and ready to revolt but lacked organization and leadership.

The Founding of the Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou

Following his impactful presence at the Comintern, Nguyễn Ái Quốc was dispatched to Guangzhou, China, in November 1924. Operating under the guise of the Comintern, he lived illegally amidst British and French intelligence. His primary objective was to establish a nucleus for a Leninist-style party to organize the Vietnamese revolution. He recognized the limited understanding of Marxism among Vietnamese patriots, who were primarily motivated by the promise of self-determination.

He established the Revolutionary Youth League (Thanh niên cách mạng đồng chí hội) in June 1925, drawing from the Tâm Tâm xã group. The League's propaganda organ was the newspaper Thanh Niên (Youth), which he edited, illustrated, and reported for. He also founded a special political school to train Vietnamese patriots, serving as teacher, mentor, and motivator. He authored the textbook Đường Cách mệnh (The Path of Revolution), blending Confucian moral principles with Leninist revolutionary ideals. The training included public speaking, empathy, and unwavering optimism. A significant ritual involved visiting the graves of Chinese martyrs and swearing an oath before Phạm Hồng Thái's tomb.

The League's operational platform was based on nationalism and social revolution, as approved by the Second Comintern Congress. However, while Lenin viewed national revolution as a tactical step, for Nguyễn Ái Quốc, national independence was the ultimate goal.

The Setback in Guangzhou and Departure

By the spring of 1927, Nguyễn Ái Quốc had become an indispensable figure in the Guangzhou revolutionary scene, fostering relationships with key figures like Zhou Enlai and Borodin. The political school had trained hundreds of cadres who returned to Vietnam to spread revolutionary ideas, leading to the League's growth to 1700 members by 1927.

However, the political climate in China shifted dramatically. Following Sun Yat-sen's death, Chiang Kai-shek rose to power and initiated a brutal crackdown on communists. In April 1927, thousands of communists and their supporters were massacred in Shanghai. In Guangzhou, thousands more, including Vietnamese students, were targeted. Borodin fled, but Nguyễn Ái Quốc remained, relying on his connections. He was eventually forced into hiding and attempted to earn a living selling newspapers but was exposed. The transcript suggests that Nguyễn Hải Thần, a critic of the League's pro-communist leanings, may have inadvertently identified him.

On May 1st, 1927, Nguyễn Ái Quốc fled Guangzhou for Hong Kong, a territory heavily monitored by British and French intelligence. His home was searched the same day. This marked another departure, a forced retreat amidst the suppression of the Guangzhou movement. Despite the setbacks and the perilous journey to Hong Kong, the revolutionary fire within him remained undimmed, setting the stage for a new turning point in his return to Vietnam.

Conclusion

The transcript meticulously traces Nguyễn Ái Quốc's early journey, highlighting his strategic brilliance in acquiring knowledge, forging international connections, and laying the organizational groundwork for the Vietnamese revolution. His ability to adapt, learn, and advocate for his nation's cause on the global stage, particularly within the Comintern, was instrumental in shaping his leadership. The narrative underscores the importance of understanding historical context, ideological development, and the persistent pursuit of national liberation against formidable odds. The story concludes with Nguyễn Ái Quốc facing new challenges in Hong Kong, but with his revolutionary spirit undeterred, poised for the next phase of his mission.