“However, there is no possible doubt about Ho Chi Minh’s true and sole ultimate purpose: The independence of Vietnam!”

- Jean Sainteny, French negotiator, Histoire d’une paix manquée: Indochine 1945 – 1947 (History of a lost peace: Indochina 1945 – 1947), 1953.

“Compared with other communist leaders of the twentieth century, Ho Chi Minh must rank as one of those least constricted by rigid communist ideology. His genius lay in his pragmatism – in the way he was able to combine Vietnamese history, anti-colonial rhetoric, quasi-Leninist organizational tactics, the patience of Job, and a common demeanor and manner that belied great sophistication and cleverness. His goal, and the goal of his organization, the Viet Minh, was a unified, independent Vietnam. That was the goal in 1930 at the founding and remained the goal during the American War in 1969, when he died.”

- Robert S. McNamara, U.S. Secretary of Defense, 1961 – 1968, Argument Without End, 1999).

“… the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people will, as always, resolutely support the Vietnamese people in carrying through to national salvation.

“U.S. imperialism is sure to be defeated! Viet Nam is sure to win!

“Eternal glory to President Ho Chi Minh, the great leader of the Vietnamese people!”

- Telegram of Sympathy from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, 7 September 1969.

“To the 19 million people north of the 17 ^th parallel and to other millions below it, the small, frail, ivorylike, figure of Ho, with its long ascetic face, straggly goatee, sunken cheeks and luminous  eyes, was that of a patriarch, the George Washington of his nation. Although his name was not attached to public squares, buildings, factories, airports or monuments, his magnetism was undoubted, as was the affection that the average citizen had for him.”

- Alden Whitman, Obituary, The New York Times, 4 September 1969.

Ho Chi Minh - A journey

The Gioi Publishers