The mark of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh
Former Vice President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam Nguyen Thi Binh served as Head of the negotiation delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (1968) and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam (from 1969 1973). Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh is also the only woman to sign the Paris Agreement.
On November 4, 1968, when she had just arrived in Paris, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh made a strong impression when speaking about the 5-point solution of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.
In her speech, she emphasized that: First, the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam strives to achieve independence, democracy, peace and national reunification. Second, the US must end the war and withdraw troops from Vietnam. Third, the internal work of South Vietnam must be solved by the people of the South themselves. Fourth, the reunification of Vietnam is the right of the Vietnamese people. Fifth, Vietnam must implement a peaceful and neutral diplomatic policy.
Her strong and frank speech caused a great stir in the international community. Immediately, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh was called "Madame Binh" by the international public and she became a new symbol in the movement against war and fighting for peace.
Her sharp answers to international reporters also made unforgettable impressions. One of the famous questions was when a Western journalist asked her if she was a Communist Party member, she replied: "I belong to the patriotic Party", causing the journalist to remain silent.
Another time, a journalist asked her about the presence of the Northern army in the South, she replied: "The Vietnamese people are one, the Vietnamese people in the North and the South are both obliged to fight against aggression". When the journalist asked about Vietnam's liberation zone, she affirmed that every place where the US bombed and destroyed it was Vietnam's liberation zone.
Heart for the country
The Paris negotiations are considered a diplomatic front full of difficulties and challenges. In her memoir "Family, friends and country", Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh wrote that when she went to Paris to participate in the negotiations, "we told each other to have a decent and smiling attitude as comrade Xuan Thuy (Head of the diplomatic delegation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam) said. That day, I wore a dark pink ao dai, gray bottle of bamboo shoots with a black scarf with flower points"...
The feminism but determination of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh was once compared to her as a woman "dancing among the Wolves" during the negotiation session in Paris against the attacks of the US and Saigon authorities.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh recounted that when she signed the Paris Agreement on January 27, 1973, she was extremely moved. "Thinking to compatriots, comrades, to friends in both the South and the North... When I remember those who are no longer there to know about this event, I shed tears" - she wrote in her memoir.
Finally, on April 30, 1975, the world press solemnly reported on the historic victory of the Vietnamese army and people.
"People across the country poured into the streets, hugged each other and cried, with joyful tears! This is an inevitable result of the sacrifice of the entire nation, from armed forces, political forces operating openly or secretly, from children leading people from all walks of life, famous heroes and millions of unknown people... - excerpt from the memoir Family, friends and country.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh recounted that the whole world sent congratulations to the Vietnamese people, they expressed their joy and wonder. Many international friends have questioned why, for what reason, Vietnam has fought and won during the long-term resistance war.
In particular, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh mentioned her visit to Palestine and meeting with leader Yasser Arafat, they also asked why Vietnam won.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh wrote in her memoir: "We have responded, we have 3 reasons - 3 things to win. First, we have Ho Chi Minh - an outstanding leader of Vietnam who has always served the cause of fighting for independence and freedom for the country.
Second, we have very strong national unity.
And third, we have the North, half of the socialist country as a solid support.
In the memoir "Tam long voi nuoc" by Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh, which has just been published by the National Political Publishing House Truth and is currently on display from September 15 to September 15, 2025 at the Hoan Kiem Ward Library, 42 Nha Chung, Hanoi, the outstanding diplomatic scholar wrote: "My life is associated with the life of the nation... I compare our country to a boat. Through many rapids, the boat of the Fatherland has gone out to sea, in front of which is a new horizon".
According to Dr. Tran Doan Lam, former Director of the World Publishing House, through each page of the book, readers will find a lesson in personality, in leadership model, and above all, a steadfast heart for the young generation of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh.
