Area Studies October 2014

Jojin V. John General Vo Nguyen Giap : Petras, J., and H. Veltmeyer. 2001. Globalization Unmasked: Imperialism in the The National Hero Par Excellence 21st Century. London: Zed. M. Prayaga * Rossi, I. ed. 2008. Frontiers of Globalization Research. Theoretical and Methodological Approaches. New York: Springer. Scholte, J.A. 2005. Globalization - a critical introduction. 2nd ed. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan. General Vo Nguyen Giap, one of the eminent generals to Susan Strange.1996. The Retreat of the State: The Diffusion of Power in the World champion the national cause in Twentieth century, left an Economy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. indelible mark in the country's history, thanks to his immense The Korea Times.2006. “Ban Nominated as Next UN Leader.” The Korea battlefield accomplishments in Vietnam. Gen. Giap's name looms Times, October 9. large in Vietnam's political and military milieu as he dedicated Yoon, Esook. 2006. “South Korean Environmental Foreign Policy.” Asia- himself to the achievement of independence and reunification of Pacific Review. 13( 2): 74-96. the country. Giap's military genius was acclaimed especially after the victories against the vastly superior forces of the French and the United States and his name became uppermost in Vietnamese peoples' mind, evidently next to the Vietnamese legendary, Ho Chi Minh. Giap showed deep respect for Ho Chi Minh, who, having inspired the very liberation movement, took it to fruitful heights in Vietnam and encouraged Giap to take up the military task in fulfilling the long-cherished national goals. Giap, the most trusted lieutenant of Ho Chi Minh, discharged entrusted duties to him with at most devotion and dedication. His unparalleled successes, inspired the western authors to name him as 'Red Napoleon' and to place him in the galaxy of military generals par excellence of Twentieth century. During his supremacy spanning five decades (1940-1990), Giap held powerful positions. Having become a centenarian who registered memorable victories, Giap passed away on 4 October 2013 in a military hospital in Hanoi. Giap, a born revolutionary, was a master architect of guerrilla war

* Dr. M. Prayaga, Assistant Professor, Centre for Southeast Asian & Pacific Studies, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, 517502, E-mail: [email protected] Acknowledgments : The author would like to thank Prof. A. Lakshmana Chetty and Prof. K. Raja Reddy, Former Directors and most beloved teachers, Centre for Southeast Asian & Pacific Studies, S.V. University, Tirupati, for their contributory inputs in this article.

28 Area Studies Area Studies, Vol.7(2), July - December 2013, pp. 29-47 29 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence and an impassioned writer. He showed his moral courage and Giap's determination to fight for national cause made him a uprightness in being critical of his own governmental errors and member of Indochina Communist Party (ICP) which was human lapses. founded by Ho Chi Minh, the renowned leader of Vietnam. While On the occasion of his demise, it is appropriate to recall the valid ICP was outlawed by the French for its revolutionary activities, 3 contributions made by Giap to the national cause of Vietnamese Giap along with another revolutionary Pham Van Dong jointly independence and reunification. formed the Indochinese Democratic Front to sustain the revolutionary activities in the country. With the fall of popular Early Life government in France in 1939, the police repression was Vo Nguyen Giap was born on 25 August 1911 in a peasant family intensified against the revolutionaries in Vietnam and thus forced in An Xa, a village in Quang Binh province. He had a good grasp many revolutionaries to flee the country in the name of self-exile. of heroic Vietnamese history and the Chinese classics. He also Giap, his wife Nguyen Thi Minh Giang, and his sister Minh Khai drew excellent training from his father, Vo Quang Nghiem, who being members of ICP became targets of the French police. In had vehemently opposed the French regime in Vietnam. After 1940, Giap and Pham Van Dong fled to Kunming, China, to meritorious schooling Giap joined the Quoc Hoc, or Lycee Nation continue the struggle against the French colonial rule. While in Hue, a French-language school (founded by Ngo Dinh Kha, a Giap was in exile, his wife and his sister were arrested and high court official and father of Ngo Dinh Diem, former President guillotined by the French police. Despite these ghastly tragedies of South Vietnam). Some of the alumni of Lycee Quoc Hoc such in the domestic front, he showed his fortitude and went ahead to as Ho Chi Minh, Pham Van Dong and Ngo Dinh Diem later work with other nationalist revolutionaries. At the outbreak of became prominent figures in Vietnamese national history. While the Second World War, Vietnam came under the sway of Japan. studying at Quoc Hoc, Giap came under the influence of a famous The exiled life of Giap in China brought far reaching changes in revolutionary nationalist, Phan Boi Chau and thereupon resolved his career as well as in the Vietnam's national resistance firmly to work for the liberation of the Vietnamese from foreign movement. Ho Chi Minh, who had emerged from his hibernation domination. At young age he joined Tan Viet, one of the secret launched the Vietnam Independence League (Viet Nam Doc Lap societies fighting for the independence of Vietnam.1 Being a Dong Minh Hoi), popularly known as Viet Minh in May 1941.4 member of the society, he actively participated in student political When the Viet Minh was established, it had aimed at two goals, agitations that led to his expulsion from the school. In 1930, Giap first to liberate the country from Franco-Japanese authority and organized student protests in Hue that led to his arrest and he was second, to get hold of the power to administer the country. sentenced to hard labour. After a brief period, he was released. Engrossed in Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary policies of On his release, he took up the teaching of history for livelihood independence struggle, Giap took part in the movements against and also worked as journalist for several newspapers. In order to the exploitative policies of the French and Japan. Giap helped get his zeal for higher education gratified, Giap joined the School organize resistance to Japanese occupation in Vietnam during the of Law, University of Hanoi, studied earnestly for his degree and Second World War. On 22 December 1944, Viet Minh started its received a Degree in Law in 1937 and Doctorate in Political military organ called the "Armed Propaganda Brigade for the economics in 1938. 2 Liberation" the forerunner of the present Vietnam People's Army

30 Area Studies Area Studies 31 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence and an impassioned writer. He showed his moral courage and Giap's determination to fight for national cause made him a uprightness in being critical of his own governmental errors and member of Indochina Communist Party (ICP) which was human lapses. founded by Ho Chi Minh, the renowned leader of Vietnam. While On the occasion of his demise, it is appropriate to recall the valid ICP was outlawed by the French for its revolutionary activities, 3 contributions made by Giap to the national cause of Vietnamese Giap along with another revolutionary Pham Van Dong jointly independence and reunification. formed the Indochinese Democratic Front to sustain the revolutionary activities in the country. With the fall of popular Early Life government in France in 1939, the police repression was Vo Nguyen Giap was born on 25 August 1911 in a peasant family intensified against the revolutionaries in Vietnam and thus forced in An Xa, a village in Quang Binh province. He had a good grasp many revolutionaries to flee the country in the name of self-exile. of heroic Vietnamese history and the Chinese classics. He also Giap, his wife Nguyen Thi Minh Giang, and his sister Minh Khai drew excellent training from his father, Vo Quang Nghiem, who being members of ICP became targets of the French police. In had vehemently opposed the French regime in Vietnam. After 1940, Giap and Pham Van Dong fled to Kunming, China, to meritorious schooling Giap joined the Quoc Hoc, or Lycee Nation continue the struggle against the French colonial rule. While in Hue, a French-language school (founded by Ngo Dinh Kha, a Giap was in exile, his wife and his sister were arrested and high court official and father of Ngo Dinh Diem, former President guillotined by the French police. Despite these ghastly tragedies of South Vietnam). Some of the alumni of Lycee Quoc Hoc such in the domestic front, he showed his fortitude and went ahead to as Ho Chi Minh, Pham Van Dong and Ngo Dinh Diem later work with other nationalist revolutionaries. At the outbreak of became prominent figures in Vietnamese national history. While the Second World War, Vietnam came under the sway of Japan. studying at Quoc Hoc, Giap came under the influence of a famous The exiled life of Giap in China brought far reaching changes in revolutionary nationalist, Phan Boi Chau and thereupon resolved his career as well as in the Vietnam's national resistance firmly to work for the liberation of the Vietnamese from foreign movement. Ho Chi Minh, who had emerged from his hibernation domination. At young age he joined Tan Viet, one of the secret launched the Vietnam Independence League (Viet Nam Doc Lap societies fighting for the independence of Vietnam.1 Being a Dong Minh Hoi), popularly known as Viet Minh in May 1941.4 member of the society, he actively participated in student political When the Viet Minh was established, it had aimed at two goals, agitations that led to his expulsion from the school. In 1930, Giap first to liberate the country from Franco-Japanese authority and organized student protests in Hue that led to his arrest and he was second, to get hold of the power to administer the country. sentenced to hard labour. After a brief period, he was released. Engrossed in Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary policies of On his release, he took up the teaching of history for livelihood independence struggle, Giap took part in the movements against and also worked as journalist for several newspapers. In order to the exploitative policies of the French and Japan. Giap helped get his zeal for higher education gratified, Giap joined the School organize resistance to Japanese occupation in Vietnam during the of Law, University of Hanoi, studied earnestly for his degree and Second World War. On 22 December 1944, Viet Minh started its received a Degree in Law in 1937 and Doctorate in Political military organ called the "Armed Propaganda Brigade for the economics in 1938. 2 Liberation" the forerunner of the present Vietnam People's Army

30 Area Studies Area Studies 31 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence

(VPA) in Cao Bang under the command of Vo Nguyen Giap. He DRVN. 7 But, the French divergence led to an impasse. After the began training an army of revolutionary peasant soldiers on Dalat conference, the Viet Minh started a broader front called Lien guerilla tactics. He built and led the first Armed Propaganda Viet (Popular National Front) in May 1946 to embrace as many Brigade of 33 men and three women armed with one machine organizations as possible in the country to fight against the gun, 31 rifles and 2 revolvers. Their primary task was to mobilize French re-entry. However, some groups turned hostile towards the people of various hamlets against the Japanese and French the enviably growing popularity of Viet Minh and the relations imperialism through propaganda in terms of plays, skits, music, with several nationalist groups deteriorated. 8 At that juncture, dance and by allowing the news of the struggle to reach remote Ho Chi Minh left to Fontainebleau in France to continue the areas. Further, they had been severely trained to attack the consultations, without resorting to war for independence. In the enemy. Steadily, hundreds of men and women had joined the Viet absence of Ho Chi Minh, Giap was acting president of the DRVN Minh army.5 in Hanoi. In order to make Viet Minh unopposed, Giap showed Following the Japanese surrender on 13 August 1945 to the allied his mettle by cracking down on the newspapers, which published powers, the Viet Minh attempted to fill the political vacuum in the the vilifying news on DRVN government. He even went ahead in country. Thus the way was paved for the National Liberation eliminating non-communist organizations like: Viet Nam Quoc Committee of Vietnam, headed by Ho Chi Minh, to call for a Dan Dang; Dai Viets, a pro-Japanese nationalist group; general insurrection on 16 August 1945.6 On 2 September 1945, Ho Trotskyites, who were scattered throughout Viet Nam; 9 Chi Minh proclaimed the founding of the Democratic Republic of Francophobic nationalists; and militant Roman Catholics. Vietnam (DRVN). He was named Chairman of the Provisional Meanwhile, a serious issue of contention came to surface when Government while Giap became the Minister of the Interior and the French soldiers opened fire on the Vietnamese workers at Commander-in-Chief of the VPA. But the international scenario Haiphong harbor port in August 1946 which culminated in the after the end of Second World War complicated the political declaration of war on France on 19 December 1946. situation in the country. The French, fortified with the American Against the French control of North Vietnam, Giap continued the arms, started reoccupying Vietnam which led to the "First guerrilla warfare which was waged against the Japanese on Indochina War". The Vietnamese resistance turned into a full earlier occasion during their occupation of Vietnam. After the scale war between the French and the Vietnamese supporting the proclamation of DRVN and on assuming the charge of Interior DRVN. Minister, Giap organized guerrilla war by mobilizing thousands Vietnamese resistance for independence of rural men and shaped VPA as a potent fighting force. His guerrilla force sustained the resistance by launching a 'hit-and- The leadership of Viet Minh started concentrating on exploring run campaign' against French military and its commercial the means of getting the problem solved through negotiations installations during 1946-1949. The skirmishes and all with France rather than waging a long war. To maintain engagements were negligibly small in nature because of dearth Vietnam's independence, Ho Chi Minh and Giap entered into of heavy fire power. With the establishment of communist talks with the French. In a Franco-Vietnamese conference held at government known as the Peoples' Republic of China on 1 Dalat in April 1946, Giap as Deputy Chief of the delegation, October 1949, Vietnam was able to receive help and assistance discussed the issue of Cochinchina (Nam Bo) as an integral part of

32 Area Studies Area Studies 33 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence

32 Area Studies Area Studies 33 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence from China 10 and the Soviet Union in the form of advice, supply of filled with national fervor and striving for independence was war material and armaments. ready to endure any kind of privation and wore sandals made of Dien Bien Phu: An Incredible Battle car tyres to drag heavy artillery piece by piece over to the mountains.12 They mustered support from thousands of local As the First Indochina War got escalated, VPA's influence and peasants, including many women as even bicycles and bamboo activities further spread to the neighbouring Indochina states, rafts were used to carry the sections of dismantled heavy guns. particularly, Laos. French generals and commanders tried by The entire operation of shifting of war material, mobilization of various tactics to eradicate Giap's forces but in vain. To come out VPA force and its thousands of supporting force went thoroughly of the dire situation, the French sought the United States (US) unnoticed by the French force at Dien Bien Phu. Giap's forces support besides strengthening their fortifications. In order to halt made tunnels or dug kilometes of trenches at required places. In the spreading of insurrections at the Vietnam-Laos border, in the extraordinarily difficult conditions, Giap moved his men who 1953, the French General Henri Navarre established a major dragged the heavy howitzers placed on the top of the peaks and military base near the small town of Dien Bien Phu, few miles tactically encircled the French with two pronged policies of away from the northwest border of Vietnam. By the end of 1953, ambush and cut off the resupply lines for the French at Dien Bien Dien Bien Phu had been transformed into a major military Phu. Thus, despite want of formal military training, Giap could garrison with 13,000 Vietnamese and North African colonial engineer strategically superior plan. The VPA, headed by the troops, the French Army's top troops as well as its elite Foreign epic hero Vo Nguyen Giap, launched a major offensive at Dien Legion. Bien Phu on 13 March 1954 and occupied two of the hilltop The geophysical location of Dien Bien Phu surrounded by positions in a week. In the next two months, Giap continued mountains with a Japanese built airstrip nearby for resupply of massive attacks which culminated in the assault launched on 1 goods, convinced Gen. Navarre as invulnerable, seemingly May 1954. The battle lasted for 55 days. Giap's strategy proved impregnable and unassailable fortress to enemies. Gen. Navarre superior, as the Vietnamese won an unassailable victory on 7 May was of the opinion that the French fire power significantly 1954 by overrunning the last outposts of the French and the overweighs the Vietminh's artillery and firepower. He further "world watched a colonial power defeated on the field of battle," 13 thought, it was hard to transport heavy artillery to the top of the putting an end to nearly a century long French colonial mountains to take a position against the French garrison from top. occupation. Bernard B. Fall praised the incident lavishly as 'one Besides, the French felt that it could interdict the VPA of the truly decisive battles of the 20th Century.' advancement at the Vietnam-Laos border. 11 Giap planned the crushing defeat of the elite of French Army. Against the strong fortifications and the French General's Giap's extraordinary logistical buildup and scrupulous use of his determination, Giap displayed remarkable ingenuity in the able fighting force brought victory and historical reputation at course of the eight-week long battle waged during March-May Dien Bien Phu in May 1954. The successful battle history of Dien 1954 at the Dien Bien Phu. He never left any stone unturned in Bien Phu was narrated by Giap himself as follows: exploring the possibilities of standing the French army. At the The battle lasted 55 nights and days and resulted in the beginning of 1954, Giap had mobilized around 50,000 troops and total erasure of the dug in camp and in our final victory. led them to the hilltops around Dien Bien Phu. His militia being

34 Area Studies Area Studies 35 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence from China 10 and the Soviet Union in the form of advice, supply of filled with national fervor and striving for independence was war material and armaments. ready to endure any kind of privation and wore sandals made of Dien Bien Phu: An Incredible Battle car tyres to drag heavy artillery piece by piece over to the mountains.12 They mustered support from thousands of local As the First Indochina War got escalated, VPA's influence and peasants, including many women as even bicycles and bamboo activities further spread to the neighbouring Indochina states, rafts were used to carry the sections of dismantled heavy guns. particularly, Laos. French generals and commanders tried by The entire operation of shifting of war material, mobilization of various tactics to eradicate Giap's forces but in vain. To come out VPA force and its thousands of supporting force went thoroughly of the dire situation, the French sought the United States (US) unnoticed by the French force at Dien Bien Phu. Giap's forces support besides strengthening their fortifications. In order to halt made tunnels or dug kilometes of trenches at required places. In the spreading of insurrections at the Vietnam-Laos border, in the extraordinarily difficult conditions, Giap moved his men who 1953, the French General Henri Navarre established a major dragged the heavy howitzers placed on the top of the peaks and military base near the small town of Dien Bien Phu, few miles tactically encircled the French with two pronged policies of away from the northwest border of Vietnam. By the end of 1953, ambush and cut off the resupply lines for the French at Dien Bien Dien Bien Phu had been transformed into a major military Phu. Thus, despite want of formal military training, Giap could garrison with 13,000 Vietnamese and North African colonial engineer strategically superior plan. The VPA, headed by the troops, the French Army's top troops as well as its elite Foreign epic hero Vo Nguyen Giap, launched a major offensive at Dien Legion. Bien Phu on 13 March 1954 and occupied two of the hilltop The geophysical location of Dien Bien Phu surrounded by positions in a week. In the next two months, Giap continued mountains with a Japanese built airstrip nearby for resupply of massive attacks which culminated in the assault launched on 1 goods, convinced Gen. Navarre as invulnerable, seemingly May 1954. The battle lasted for 55 days. Giap's strategy proved impregnable and unassailable fortress to enemies. Gen. Navarre superior, as the Vietnamese won an unassailable victory on 7 May was of the opinion that the French fire power significantly 1954 by overrunning the last outposts of the French and the overweighs the Vietminh's artillery and firepower. He further "world watched a colonial power defeated on the field of battle," 13 thought, it was hard to transport heavy artillery to the top of the putting an end to nearly a century long French colonial mountains to take a position against the French garrison from top. occupation. Bernard B. Fall praised the incident lavishly as 'one Besides, the French felt that it could interdict the VPA of the truly decisive battles of the 20th Century.' advancement at the Vietnam-Laos border. 11 Giap planned the crushing defeat of the elite of French Army. Against the strong fortifications and the French General's Giap's extraordinary logistical buildup and scrupulous use of his determination, Giap displayed remarkable ingenuity in the able fighting force brought victory and historical reputation at course of the eight-week long battle waged during March-May Dien Bien Phu in May 1954. The successful battle history of Dien 1954 at the Dien Bien Phu. He never left any stone unturned in Bien Phu was narrated by Giap himself as follows: exploring the possibilities of standing the French army. At the The battle lasted 55 nights and days and resulted in the beginning of 1954, Giap had mobilized around 50,000 troops and total erasure of the dug in camp and in our final victory. led them to the hilltops around Dien Bien Phu. His militia being

34 Area Studies Area Studies 35 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence

Dien Bien Phu is the greatest victory by our people and miscalculation', because the battle “sounded the death knell of our army during the long war of resistance against the French colonial presence in Indochina.”18 On the whole, Dien French Expeditionary Forces. I want to say that it is also Bien Phu victory has been creating an intellectual curiosity and the greatest victory, a brilliant victory of the solidarity interest among military strategists and academics till today. The in struggle between our people, the people of Vietnam, War has become “one of the battles that are the object of close and the people of sister countries, the people of Laos study by students at military academies around the world right and the people of Cambodia. It means that this victory up there with Hannibal's victory over the Romans at Cannae, has a historical significance for our country. But it also Isoroku Yamamoto's surprise attack on the American navy at has an international impact. 14 Pearl Harbour, and Napoleon's campaigns across Europe.” 19 Giap also said, “This was the first victory for a national liberation The immediate result of Dien Bien Phu battle was the conclusion war in a colonial country. It proves that in our era, a small nation of Geneva Agreements of 1954. As per the agreements, Vietnam with no vast territory and no large population and no developed was divided into two, North Vietnam and South Vietnam. During economy, is quite capable of waging a revolutionary war to defeat the post-Geneva period Vietnam experienced migration of an old-type colonialist war of aggression.” 15 Vietnam population from North to South and from South to The Daily Telegraph reported Giap's winning feat as : North. When Vietnamese from the North migrated to the South Vietnam they played a crucial role in regrouping the communist Such was his morale-boosting determination and genius cadre from North in the parts of South Vietnam for future for the feint and swoop that he was often described as a insurrection taking it for granted that Vietnam would never be guerrilla leader equalled only by Mao Tse Tung and Che unified peacefully. Guevara; and Giap was certainly adept at utilising terrain and highly mobile troops to outwit stronger and Following the tremendous victory, Giap had to concentrate on better equipped enemies perhaps particularly his strengthening the VPA so that the problems at the domestic front opponents-suggested that he merited a place in the could easily be solved. After the division, North Vietnam pantheon of great military leaders of modern times, government pursued the policy of 'socialist transformation' and alongside such figures as Wellington and Rommel.16 carried out 'land reform programme'. Land was confiscated and redistributed among the landless peasants. The land reform Derek Frisby, the historian, who described Giap as 'the master of programme had turned out to be a fiasco. In the process, doing the unexpected', also felt that “Giap was able to marshal nearly15,000 innocent people lost their lives because of not only the material resources of a rather non-industrialized 'misclassification' and use of wrong labels such as 'landlords' and society to fashion a military machine capable of challenging the 'rich peasants'.20 The programme had damaged the image of the superpowers, but was able to tap into the political will of his party. Both Ho Chi Minh and Giap denounced the excesses and people to fuel it. He doesn't so much stand out from other generals decided to end the problem. As part of the damage control, the 17 in history as he stands tall among them.” communist party launched a 'rectification of errors campaign'. The result was humiliation for the French after the surrender. The While addressing the protesting peasants in Hanoi, Giap openly French rightly felt that Dien Bien Phu was 'a monumental admitted the grave errors of the party and started a campaign of

36 Area Studies Area Studies 37 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence

36 Area Studies Area Studies 37 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence restoring land to those who had lost their lands unjustly. Once Offensive. Giap's goals were both military and political. In this again, the extraordinary skill of Giap in tackling of the grave issue campaign Giap's regular forces along with Viet Cong confronted was acknowledged by Ho Chi Minh who chose Giap to go and the soldiers of South Vietnam who were supported by the US, campaign around the country to alleviate the agitated situation. 21 South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. Having During the same time, the US willfully entrenched South Vietnam grown steadily stronger Giap's military struck the devastating by solemnly promising and strongly supporting it with arms and and surprise attacks in number of places like provincial capitals equipment to fight against the communists. The latter established and district towns in South Vietnam during Tet, (Lunar New an organization called the National Liberation Front of South Year) a sacred religious festival in Vietnam in early 1968. They Vietnam (NLF) in 1960 to fight against the US hegemony over the raided many military bases and airfields including tactically key South Vietnam. The US launched an air campaign against the places like the US fortress at Khe Sanh and the US Embassy and North and targeted bridges, airfields, railway yards, oil storage the Presidential Palace in Saigon. The campaign inflicted heavy sites and even power plants. On the countryside, the American losses on both sides and exposed vulnerability of the US power. troops outrageously ravaged the rice fields and ruthlessly used However, the Tet Offensive was politically a strategic success for the toxic chemicals and saw to it that many houses and North Vietnam. Giap, clearly explained his objective in carrying communication systems were ravaged.22 out Tet offensive as follows: We wanted to show the Americans that we were not Tet Offensive exhausted, that we could attack their arsenals, In view of the growing hostilities with the United States, Giap as communications, elite units, even their headquarters, the Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of the VPA, led brains behind the war….We wanted to project the war North Vietnam's strategy and command and was joined by Viet into the homes of America's families, because we knew Cong, which was fighting against the US hegemony for national that most of them had nothing against us. unification in South Vietnam. On the inevitability of waging a war with the US, the following is what he said in an interview: He also said, “Until Tet, they thought they could win the war, but now they knew that they could not.” 24 Tet episode contributed to Our country has been at war for over 20 years. Our a significant change in American perception of the conflict. After people deeply desire peace. But as our President Ho Chi watching the televised shows of inhuman scenes of war within Minh has said, 'There is no true peace without true America, the public organized numerous demonstrations against independence.' We will fight until final victory against the prolongation of the war. Following the Tet, President Lyndon the American aggressors, to safeguard the independence B. Johnson decided not to contest in the then ensuing Presidential of our country, to realize the profound aspirations of our elections and thus, peace talks began for the US withdrawal. Sam people for liberty and reunification, to contribute to the Noumoff, former director, Centre for East Asian Studies, McGill maintenance of peace in Asia and throughout the world. University, Canada, precisely said that: “Tet did for the US what We will win.23 Dien Bien Phu did for the French; it precipitated the decision to Thus, Giap commanded yet another tactical campaign, which withdraw.” 25 was famously known as the 1968 Tet Offensive or General

38 Area Studies Area Studies 39 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence restoring land to those who had lost their lands unjustly. Once Offensive. Giap's goals were both military and political. In this again, the extraordinary skill of Giap in tackling of the grave issue campaign Giap's regular forces along with Viet Cong confronted was acknowledged by Ho Chi Minh who chose Giap to go and the soldiers of South Vietnam who were supported by the US, campaign around the country to alleviate the agitated situation. 21 South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. Having During the same time, the US willfully entrenched South Vietnam grown steadily stronger Giap's military struck the devastating by solemnly promising and strongly supporting it with arms and and surprise attacks in number of places like provincial capitals equipment to fight against the communists. The latter established and district towns in South Vietnam during Tet, (Lunar New an organization called the National Liberation Front of South Year) a sacred religious festival in Vietnam in early 1968. They Vietnam (NLF) in 1960 to fight against the US hegemony over the raided many military bases and airfields including tactically key South Vietnam. The US launched an air campaign against the places like the US fortress at Khe Sanh and the US Embassy and North and targeted bridges, airfields, railway yards, oil storage the Presidential Palace in Saigon. The campaign inflicted heavy sites and even power plants. On the countryside, the American losses on both sides and exposed vulnerability of the US power. troops outrageously ravaged the rice fields and ruthlessly used However, the Tet Offensive was politically a strategic success for the toxic chemicals and saw to it that many houses and North Vietnam. Giap, clearly explained his objective in carrying communication systems were ravaged.22 out Tet offensive as follows: We wanted to show the Americans that we were not Tet Offensive exhausted, that we could attack their arsenals, In view of the growing hostilities with the United States, Giap as communications, elite units, even their headquarters, the Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of the VPA, led brains behind the war….We wanted to project the war North Vietnam's strategy and command and was joined by Viet into the homes of America's families, because we knew Cong, which was fighting against the US hegemony for national that most of them had nothing against us. unification in South Vietnam. On the inevitability of waging a war with the US, the following is what he said in an interview: He also said, “Until Tet, they thought they could win the war, but now they knew that they could not.” 24 Tet episode contributed to Our country has been at war for over 20 years. Our a significant change in American perception of the conflict. After people deeply desire peace. But as our President Ho Chi watching the televised shows of inhuman scenes of war within Minh has said, 'There is no true peace without true America, the public organized numerous demonstrations against independence.' We will fight until final victory against the prolongation of the war. Following the Tet, President Lyndon the American aggressors, to safeguard the independence B. Johnson decided not to contest in the then ensuing Presidential of our country, to realize the profound aspirations of our elections and thus, peace talks began for the US withdrawal. Sam people for liberty and reunification, to contribute to the Noumoff, former director, Centre for East Asian Studies, McGill maintenance of peace in Asia and throughout the world. University, Canada, precisely said that: “Tet did for the US what We will win.23 Dien Bien Phu did for the French; it precipitated the decision to Thus, Giap commanded yet another tactical campaign, which withdraw.” 25 was famously known as the 1968 Tet Offensive or General

38 Area Studies Area Studies 39 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence

The US intervention in Vietnam faced mounting opposition both was launched in 1986 with a focus on economic transformation, internally and internationally. The result was that the Paris decentralization of administration and openness to the global Agreements which concluded in January 1973, paved the way for markets, Giap welcomed the changes in the economic front as the American troop withdrawal from Vietnam by March 1973. well as Vietnam's efforts of economic integration with Giap, who remained the commander of the North Vietnamese international organizations. He also praised the process of forces carried on the armed struggle and ultimately liberated normalization of diplomatic relations with the US in July 1995. Saigon on 30 April 1975. On the undiluted fighting spirit of his Though Giap had unparalleled successes in the wars waged for people and nation, Giap has remarked that, “As regards numbers, independence and national unification, he had cherished a great ours is a small nation, but in view of its fighting spirit against vision on the issue of preserving of the world peace and its 26 foreign invaders and its ability to win, it is a great nation.” On importance in the political, economic and social fields of all Giap's accomplishments The Economist noted: nations in the world. Giap rightly said, 'Today and in the future From the start, in 1944, he had drilled his tiny musket- too, the peoples of nations in the world should unite with each and-flintlock resistance army in the ideology of the other to struggle for lasting peace on our planet, to fight against struggle, setting up propaganda units to indoctrinate the danger of nuclear war and to fight against other schemes of peasants in their villages. The result was a guerrilla war.' He further declared that, “I am the General of peace, peace force that could live off the land, … It took the general in honour, peace in independence and freedom,” 28 Giap's long 30 years, from Vietnam's declaration of independence tenure displayed intelligence, decisiveness, pragmatic approach from France in 1945 to the fall of Saigon, the southern and longing for the welfare of his nation. That made him raise his capital, in 1975, to make his vision reality.27 voice on several burning issues like corruption and draconian Thus, Giap fulfilled his mentor Ho Chi Minh's desire for complete administrate policies of the government. Prompted by warmth independence and set the stage for the unification of Vietnam. On and sensibility to the environmental stability of the country, Giap 2 July 1976, the emergence of reunified Vietnam was formally wrote open letters to the government on the bauxite mining proclaimed. granted to China in the central highlands. Many environmentalists, local residents, scientists, economists, social Giap in the post-war Vietnam scientists, retired military officials, intellectuals and media joined In the reunified Vietnam, Giap remained Minister of defense and Giap in 2009 to oppose bauxite mining which could cause has become Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Deputy environmental disaster besides posing security threat to the Prime Minister) in 1976. Apart from remarkable achievements to country. This led the National Assembly to adopt conciliatory and his credit, in the post-war reconstruction Giap made efforts for the transparent policies towards mining. 29 development of science and technology in the country and also Giap wrote good number of books on the theory and practice of worked as Director of Family Planning. During his tenure, he also Vietnamese guerilla warfare and victories over aggressors. His witnessed the Sino-Vietnam border conflict in 1979. In 1980 Giap books like, The South Vietnam People Will Win, People's War People's relinquished the portfolio of Minister of Defence. Since 1980s he Army: The Viet Cong Insurrection Manual for Underdeveloped had not visibly been as active in the communist party as he used to Countries, Military Art of People's War: Selected Writings, be, during the war years. When Doi Moi (Renovation) programme

40 Area Studies Area Studies 41 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence

Unforgettable Days and How we won the war have won due Lieutenant General, Khiupenhen Anatoli Ivanovich described recognition. His works are included in the curriculum of military Giap as “the pride of the Vietnamese nation, calling him the right- academic institutions in many countries. He has given hand man of President Ho Chi Minh.” And the Government of innumerable interviews to the world media during the war time Laos said “the General had played an active, significant role in and post-war period on the issues of people's participation, fostering the friendship and comprehensive co-operation execution of war strategies and their achievements in the struggle between Viet Nam and Laos.” 31 for independence. Several international dignitaries, who visited India and Giap Vietnam felt honoured to meet the legendary Gen. Giap in Hanoi. By all means historically, India and Vietnam relations can be Among number of honours and awards, in 1992, the government traced back to antiquity. During the struggle for independence, awarded Gold Star Order, the highest decorative honour in mutual admiration brought both leaders together around a Vietnam, to Giap. shared set of ideals and objectives. Throughout the war, India On hearing the news of his death on 4 October 2013, hundreds of condemned the US involvement and vociferously demanded thousands of Vietnamese poured into the streets to pay their last complete withdrawal of the US forces from Vietnam. India also respects to the legendary Giap, who died at the ripe age of 102. In supported the cause of reunification of Vietnam and established the capital, people from all walks of life paid their homage. On its diplomatic relations in 1972 even before the unification of the death of Giap, a retired army colonel Nguyen Van Hieu Vietnam in 1975. Indian people have immense respect and regard exclaimed “I never saw many people come to pay their respects for Ho Chi Minh and great admiration to Giap. On the invitation after the death of (Vietnam's founding father) Ho Chi Minh in of the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Giap visited India in 30 1969.” Many lauded Giap's illustrious career, and singled out for 1989 and had spoken extensively to the media on reminiscences of praise the untiring genius of guerrilla tactics and rich legacy of his battlefield achievements. On hearing the death news of a great winning the wars against the French and the US. The general man like Giap, many Indians sent condolences. Defence Minister was honored with two days of national mourning. At the funeral of India, A. K. Antony who visited the Vietnam Embassy in New of Giap, the Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, praised that Delhi to pay homage to the departed Vietnamese leader, said, he was 'second only to late President Ho Chi Minh in the “Gen Giap's leadership of Vietnam's national liberation had affections of Vietnamese.' On the request of his family, Giap's evoked the admiration of the Indian people. He shall remain an body was interred in his native Quang Binh province. inspiration to people all over the world.” 32 Giap with his versatile Many governments from throughout the world sent their qualities succeeded in winning the respect from his countrymen condolence messages. The Uruguayan President, Jose Mujica, and also from the people throughout the world. stated that, “General Giap was the one who fostered Vietnamese Conclusion independence due to his position as an exceptional strategist, an Vo Nguyen Giap, a brilliant Vietnamese general scripted the inspirer of freedom worldwide and a man who said the human battlefield victories against far superior forces, the French and the factor is the key to victory.” French Foreign Minister Laurent US. Giap along with Ho Chi Minh made a big impact on the Fabius lauded General Giap as a "great patriot and a great soldier course of independence and reunification of Vietnam. In all his of Viet Nam," as well as an "extraordinary person." Russian Senior endeavours Giap was never deterred by the defence strength of

42 Area Studies Area Studies 43 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence

42 Area Studies Area Studies 43 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence the opponents. On the other hand, he had engineered his strategic References : plans to match up to theirs and to build peoples' capabilities by 1. Cecil B. Currey, Victory at Any Cost: The Genius of Vietnam's General Vo training. To a considerable extent, his hopes rested on the idea of Nguyen Giap, Brassey's, New York, 1996. involving as many people as possible to champion the national 2. Cited in Archimedes L.A. Patti, Why Vietnam? : Prelude to America's cause as well as the use of ingenious guerrilla tactics to overcome Albatross, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1980, pp. 483-484. adversaries and odds. In the course of wars, he showed adequate equipment even for standing long wars, beyond the imagination 3. Pham Van Dong served as Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of of the French and the US and spared men and material meant for Vietnam from 1955 through 1976, and was Prime Minister of a unified Vietnam from 1976 to 1987. long duration in the distant lands. His strategy, infinite patience, his eminently individual mode of harrying the enemy and his 4. K. Raja Reddy, Vietnam Struggle for Unification, 1954-1975, Centre for motivation for national cause, made the opponents conclude that Studies on Indochina and South Pacific, Sri Venkateswara University, 'quick victories' over and defeating Giap, were unattainable. His Tirupati, 1999, pp.16-18 opponents realized that armed struggles for national cause were 5. Jack A. Smith, “General Vo Nguyen Giap: Defeated French Imperialism, 'unwinnable wars' and therefore, humiliated by shattering Drove the U.S. out of Vietnam,” Global Research, 15 October 2013, defeats, they withdrew from Vietnam. Thus, Giap emerged as an http://www.globalresearch.ca/ general-vo-nguyen-giap-defeated- astute leader and a sagacious military general acknowledged by french-imperialism-drove-the-u-s-out-of-vietnam/5354326) even his opponents as the 'Red Napoleon'. Giap's victories 6. 50 Years of Activities of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Foreign inspired other liberation movements in Asia, Africa and Latin Languages Publishing House, Hanoi, 1978, pp.77-81. America to resort to guerrilla tactics against their colonial or 7. Vo Nguyen Giap, Unforgettable Days, Foreign Languages Publishing imperialist powers. House, Hanoi, 1975, pp.252-258. Arthur J. Dommen, The Indochinese Regardless of innumerable fellow political achievers in Vietnam, Experience of the French and the Americans: Nationalism and Communism in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Vo Nguyen Giap made a niche for himself in the world history for 2001), p.155. his relentless fight for the noble cause of national liberation as well as for the national reunification of the country. If Ho Chi 8. William J. Duiker, The Communist Road to Power in Vietnam, Westview Minh had successfully led Vietnam in its struggle for press, Colorado, 1981, pp.120-121. independence from France and continued the fight for a unified 9. Cecil B. Currey, n.1, p.38. Vietnam achieved only after his death by the valiant warrior 10. Kennedy Hickman, “Vietnam War: Vo Nguyen Giap,” Giap, who thus takes all credit by all means for completing the http://militaryhistory.about.com/ od /army/p/giap.htm holy mission of Ho Chi Minh, one may venture a conclusion that 11. David Pennington, “Dien Bien Phu: A Battle Assessment,” the name of Vo Nugyen Giap is entitled to form a twin-peak with h t t p : / / w w w . m i l i t a r y i s t o r y o n l i n e . c o m i e t n a m / a r t i c l e s that of Ho Chi Minh in the annals of Vietnam. Giap was not only /dienbienphu.aspx# a successful general for his prowess, but also a venerable person 12. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/04/vietnam- for cosmopolitan outlook. He remains a born leader and his name general-giap-dies. shall be cherished and revered both at home and abroad.

44 Area Studies Area Studies 45 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence the opponents. On the other hand, he had engineered his strategic References : plans to match up to theirs and to build peoples' capabilities by 1. Cecil B. Currey, Victory at Any Cost: The Genius of Vietnam's General Vo training. To a considerable extent, his hopes rested on the idea of Nguyen Giap, Brassey's, New York, 1996. involving as many people as possible to champion the national 2. Cited in Archimedes L.A. Patti, Why Vietnam? : Prelude to America's cause as well as the use of ingenious guerrilla tactics to overcome Albatross, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1980, pp. 483-484. adversaries and odds. In the course of wars, he showed adequate equipment even for standing long wars, beyond the imagination 3. Pham Van Dong served as Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of of the French and the US and spared men and material meant for Vietnam from 1955 through 1976, and was Prime Minister of a unified Vietnam from 1976 to 1987. long duration in the distant lands. His strategy, infinite patience, his eminently individual mode of harrying the enemy and his 4. K. Raja Reddy, Vietnam Struggle for Unification, 1954-1975, Centre for motivation for national cause, made the opponents conclude that Studies on Indochina and South Pacific, Sri Venkateswara University, 'quick victories' over and defeating Giap, were unattainable. His Tirupati, 1999, pp.16-18 opponents realized that armed struggles for national cause were 5. Jack A. Smith, “General Vo Nguyen Giap: Defeated French Imperialism, 'unwinnable wars' and therefore, humiliated by shattering Drove the U.S. out of Vietnam,” Global Research, 15 October 2013, defeats, they withdrew from Vietnam. Thus, Giap emerged as an http://www.globalresearch.ca/ general-vo-nguyen-giap-defeated- astute leader and a sagacious military general acknowledged by french-imperialism-drove-the-u-s-out-of-vietnam/5354326) even his opponents as the 'Red Napoleon'. Giap's victories 6. 50 Years of Activities of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Foreign inspired other liberation movements in Asia, Africa and Latin Languages Publishing House, Hanoi, 1978, pp.77-81. America to resort to guerrilla tactics against their colonial or 7. Vo Nguyen Giap, Unforgettable Days, Foreign Languages Publishing imperialist powers. House, Hanoi, 1975, pp.252-258. Arthur J. Dommen, The Indochinese Regardless of innumerable fellow political achievers in Vietnam, Experience of the French and the Americans: Nationalism and Communism in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Vo Nguyen Giap made a niche for himself in the world history for 2001), p.155. his relentless fight for the noble cause of national liberation as well as for the national reunification of the country. If Ho Chi 8. William J. Duiker, The Communist Road to Power in Vietnam, Westview Minh had successfully led Vietnam in its struggle for press, Colorado, 1981, pp.120-121. independence from France and continued the fight for a unified 9. Cecil B. Currey, n.1, p.38. Vietnam achieved only after his death by the valiant warrior 10. Kennedy Hickman, “Vietnam War: Vo Nguyen Giap,” Giap, who thus takes all credit by all means for completing the http://militaryhistory.about.com/ od /army/p/giap.htm holy mission of Ho Chi Minh, one may venture a conclusion that 11. David Pennington, “Dien Bien Phu: A Battle Assessment,” the name of Vo Nugyen Giap is entitled to form a twin-peak with h t t p : / / w w w . m i l i t a r y i s t o r y o n l i n e . c o m i e t n a m / a r t i c l e s that of Ho Chi Minh in the annals of Vietnam. Giap was not only /dienbienphu.aspx# a successful general for his prowess, but also a venerable person 12. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/04/vietnam- for cosmopolitan outlook. He remains a born leader and his name general-giap-dies. shall be cherished and revered both at home and abroad.

44 Area Studies Area Studies 45 M. Prayaga General Vo Nguyen Giap : The National Hero Par Excellence

13. Roy Jumper and Marjorie Weiner Normand, “Vietnam,” in George 21. “General Vo Nguyen Giap (1911-2013): Military hero, revolutionary McTurnan Kahin (ed.), Government and Politics of Southeast Asia, Cornell intellectual, environmentalist,” http://links.org.au/node/3565 University, New York, 1964, p.397. 22. During 1969-70, the United States dropped 5 million tons of bombs on 14. http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/vietnam-b1661a-interview-with- Indochina, the great bulk of them on the countryside of South Vietnam. vo-nguyen-giap. This was more than twice the tonnage dropped on all fronts during the World War II. 15. Vo Nguyen Giap, Selected Writings, Hanoi, 1977, pp. 406-411. 23. Wilfred G. Burchett, Vietnam North: First-Hand Report, London, 1966, 16. T i m o f e i M i k h a i l o v , “ V o N g u y e n G i a p , ” p.125. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ VNgiap.htm 24. A. Smith, n.5. 17. “Vo Nguyen Giap 'A master of revolutionary war',” http://www.dw.de/vo-nguyen-giap-a-master-of-revolutionary- 25. Sam Noumoff, “ The Death of a Hero and the Birth of a Revolution,” war/a-17141733. On his successful accomplishment, Amando Doronila, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. XLVIII, No. 42, 19 October 2013. Philipino columnist, stated that, “In that battle, the guerrilla army of the 26. Vo Nguyen Giap, n.15, p.215. Democratic Republic of Vietnam annihilated the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu …, ending 90 years of French colonial rule in Indochina. After 27. “General Giap,” The Economist, 12 October 2013. 55 days of siege, the French stronghold, defended by between 13,000 and 28. Sumit Chakravarty, “Vo Nguyen Giap: 'General of peace,' Mainstream, 16,000 troops, mainly of the legendary French Foreign Legion, was Vol.LI, No.43, 12 October 2013. overrun by 70,000 Vietnamese soldiers, who encircled it in a set-piece battle, marking the defeat of a modern Western army at the hands of an 29. Hunter Marston, “Bauxite Mining in Vietnam's Central Highlands: An Asian guerrilla army.” Amando Doronila, “Vo Nguyen Giap, the 'Red Arena for Expanding Civil Society?,” Contemporary Southeast Asia, Napoleon',” Philippine Daily Inquirer, 18 October 2013. Vol.34, No.2, August 2012, pp.182-185. http://opinion.inquirer.net/63537/vo-nguyen-giap-the-red- 30. “Thousands pay respects to Vietnam's General Giap,” napoleon. And Shankar Roychowdhury, former Indian Chief of Army, http://www.thestar.com.my/News/ Regional/2013/10/07/vietnam- wrote, “Gen. Giap was an iconic home-grown, self-taught military top-general-dies.aspx/ genius whose epochal victory against French forces in the war of Liberation in Indochina signaled the beginning of the end for the 31. “World governments honour a great man,” http://vietnamnews.vn/ European colonial presence in the East.” “From Gen. Giap, doctrine for politics-laws/245939/world-governments-honour-a-great-man.html India,” Deccan Chronicle, 29 October 2013. 32. “AK Antony visits Vietnamese Embassy to pay homage to war hero 18. Nikki Cooper, “Dien Bien Phu Fifty Years On”, Modern & Contemporary Giap,” The Economic Times, 15 October 2013. France, Vol.12, No.4, 2004, p.447. 19. J Brooks Spector, “General Giap: the man who beat France, then A m e r i c a , f i n a l l y s u c c u m b s a t 1 0 2 , ” http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-10-07-general-giap- the-man-who-beat-france-then-america-finally-succumbs-at- 102/#.UsFidtIW3p8) 20. D.R. Sardesai, Southeast Asia: Past and Present, New Delhi, 1981, p.403.

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46 Area Studies Area Studies 47