Lịch sử Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam: Những bước ngoặt cách mạng

Understanding the Revolutionary Milestones of the Vietnamese Communist Party

Keywords: Vietnamese Communist Party history, revolutionary milestones, class leadership, political program, Indochina communism, Third International, Phan Bội Châu, Ba Son strike, 1936‑1939 open struggle, Central Committee conferences.

1. The First Political Programme and Class Leadership

The inaugural political programme of the Vietnamese revolutionary movement, known as the First Political Programme (Cương lĩnh Chính trị đầu tiên), explicitly identified the proletariat (giai cấp vô sản) as the leading class of the Vietnamese revolution. This declaration aligned Vietnam with the Marxist‑Leninist principle that the working class, organized under a disciplined party, must spearhead the overthrow of colonial and feudal oppression.

• Why the proletariat? The industrialisation of Saigon and the emergence of a wage‑earning class created a new revolutionary force distinct from the traditional peasantry.
• Impact on later programmes: Subsequent documents, such as the Political Programme of February 1930, reinforced the central role of the proletariat while also emphasizing alliances with the peasantry.

2. The Importance of the “Thổ Địa” Issue

Among the early revolutionary texts, the "Luận cương Chính trị tháng 10/1930" (Political Thesis of October 1930) highlighted the thổ địa (land) question as the core of the bourgeois‑democratic revolution. This focus reflected the reality that land ownership and tenancy were the primary sources of exploitation in rural Vietnam.

• Land reform as a revolutionary catalyst: By addressing land redistribution, the party could mobilise the vast majority of peasants.
• Connection to later policies: The emphasis on thổ địa paved the way for the 1953 Land Reform Campaign and the 1970 Land Law.

3. The First Communist Organisation in Vietnam

The earliest communist organisation to emerge in Vietnam was the Đông Dương Cộng sản Đảng (Indochinese Communist Party), founded in 1929. Although its name suggests a broader regional scope, the party’s activities were primarily concentrated in Vietnam, aiming to unite workers, peasants, and intellectuals under a Marxist‑Leninist banner.

• Founding context: The late 1920s saw a surge of anti‑colonial sentiment, inspired by the Russian Revolution and the rise of the Third International.
• Evolution: In 1930, the party was restructured into the Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam (Vietnamese Communist Party), reflecting a more national focus.

4. The Third International (Comintern) and Its Founding Year

The Third International, or Comintern, was officially established in 1919. Its purpose was to coordinate communist parties worldwide, providing ideological guidance and material support. The Comintern’s influence was decisive in shaping the strategies of early Vietnamese communists, who received training and funding from Soviet advisers.

• Key documents: The Theses on the National and Colonial Question (1920) guided Vietnamese revolutionaries on how to combine anti‑imperialist struggle with class struggle.
• Legacy: The Comintern dissolved in 1943, but its legacy persisted in the organisational discipline of the Vietnamese party.

5. Phan Bội Châu’s Patriotic Movement and Its Political Orientation

Phan Bội Châu, a prominent early 20th‑century nationalist, led a patriotic movement that was fundamentally feudal (khuynh hướng phong kiến) in orientation. While he sought independence from French colonial rule, his vision was rooted in restoring a monarchic system and preserving traditional social hierarchies.

• Contrast with later socialist nationalism: Subsequent leaders, such as Ho Chi Minh, advocated for a democratic‑republican model rooted in Marxist ideology.
• Historical significance: Phan Bội Châu’s efforts laid the groundwork for later mass mobilisation, even though his political program differed from that of the communists.

6. From Spontaneous to Conscious Labour Struggles: The Ba Son Strike of 1925

The Ba Son strike of 1925 marks a pivotal moment when the Vietnamese labour movement transitioned from spontaneous, isolated actions to a more conscious, organised struggle. Workers at the Ba Son shipyard in Saigon coordinated a prolonged strike, demanding better wages and working conditions.

• Significance: The strike demonstrated the growing class consciousness among industrial workers and highlighted the need for a unified labour front.
• Aftermath: The experience of Ba Son informed the formation of the first workers’ unions and later the establishment of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL).

7. The Open and Legal Revolutionary Phase (1936‑1939)

Between 1936 and 1939, a unique window opened for the Indochinese revolutionary movement to operate openly and legally. This was primarily due to the rise of the French Popular Front (Mặt trận Nhân dân Pháp), which came to power in 1936 and temporarily relaxed repression against left‑wing organisations.

• Legalisation of parties: Communist groups could publish newspapers, hold public meetings, and organise mass protests.
• Strategic outcomes: The period saw the expansion of the Indochinese Communist Party’s membership, the formation of the Vietnamese Democratic Front, and increased participation in elections.

8. Central Committee Conferences: Shaping Revolutionary Strategy (1930‑1945)

The Central Committee Conference of May 1941 (Hội nghị tháng 5/1941) was a decisive gathering that refined the party’s strategic direction for the period 1930‑1945. The conference reaffirmed the necessity of a united front against both Japanese occupation and French colonialism, and it clarified the shift from a primarily urban‑focused struggle to a broader rural‑based revolutionary war.

• Key resolutions:
  • Adopt the policy of “đánh thắng người Pháp, đánh thắng người Nhật” (defeat the French, defeat the Japanese).
  • Emphasise the role of the peasantry as the main revolutionary force.
• Impact on the August Revolution (1945): The strategic guidelines set in 1941 directly influenced the successful seizure of power in August 1945.

9. Integrating the Milestones: A Chronological Overview

To consolidate the concepts covered, the following timeline highlights the major turning points in the history of the Vietnamese Communist Party:

• 1919 – Establishment of the Third International (Comintern), providing ideological support for anti‑colonial movements.
• 1925 – Ba Son strike, marking the rise of conscious labour activism.
• 1929 – Formation of the Đông Dương Cộng sản Đảng, the first communist organisation in Vietnam.
• 1930 – Adoption of the First Political Programme, declaring the proletariat as the leading class.
• 1930 (October) – Publication of the Political Thesis emphasizing the land question.
• 1936‑1939 – Open revolutionary activity under the French Popular Front.
• May 1941 – Central Committee Conference solidifying the strategy for the anti‑Japanese and anti‑French struggle.
• August 1945 – The August Revolution, culminating in the declaration of independence.

10. Why These Concepts Matter Today

Understanding these historical milestones is essential for several reasons:

• Historical continuity: Modern Vietnamese political discourse still references the class leadership model and land reforms initiated in the early 20th century.
• Strategic lessons: The shift from spontaneous to organised struggle offers insights into contemporary social movements and labour organising.
• International context: The role of the Comintern illustrates how global ideological currents can shape national liberation movements.

11. Review Questions for Self‑Assessment

Test your comprehension of the material with the following practice questions (answers are provided for self‑checking):

1. According to the First Political Programme, which class leads the Vietnamese revolution?
   Answer: The proletariat (giai cấp vô sản).
2. Which document stresses the land question as the core of the bourgeois‑democratic revolution?
   Answer: Luận cương Chính trị tháng 10/1930.
3. What was the first communist organisation founded in Vietnam?
   Answer: Đông Dương Cộng sản Đảng.
4. In which year was the Third International (Comintern) founded?
   Answer: 1919.
5. Phan Bội Châu’s patriotic movement followed which political orientation?
   Answer: Feudal (khuynh hướng phong kiến).
6. Which event marked the transition of the Vietnamese labour movement from spontaneous to conscious action?
   Answer: Ba Son strike of 1925.
7. What factor allowed the revolutionary movement to operate openly between 1936 and 1939?
   Answer: The French Popular Front government.
8. Which Central Committee conference finalized the strategic shift for the 1930‑1945 revolutionary period?
   Answer: The May 1941 conference.

12. Further Reading and Resources

For deeper exploration, consider the following sources:

• Vietnamese Revolutionary Documents, 1917‑1945 – a collection of primary texts.
• Nguyễn Trường Giang, History of the Vietnamese Communist Party (2020) – a comprehensive academic analysis.
• Online archives of the Comintern – original resolutions and correspondence.

By mastering these foundational concepts, learners gain a solid grasp of how class dynamics, strategic decisions, and international influences shaped the trajectory of the Vietnamese Communist Party and the broader struggle for national liberation.