To the Vietnamese nation, President Ho Chi Minh represents more than agreat personality, great thinker and great career. His life marked theglorious era of Ho Chi Minh, which was central to national development.Furthermore, he left behind a historic testament. His testamentis an invaluable historic document that summarises the quintessence ofhis thoughts and his noble soul, and includes recommendations and deepsentiments. It also gives voice to President Ho’s deep faith in theentire Party, people and army, as well as generations of Vietnamesepeople. During the early days of the Vietnameserevolution, despite facing a myriad of difficulties and hardships, theVietnamese people still firmly believed in the success of the revolutionand maintained their strong warrior spirit until the final victory. This trust brought about a momentous spiritual energythat led to the August Revolution, which successfully regained nationalindependence after nearly a century of French domination. In September 1969, just when the anti-US resistance war was entering itsfiercest period, President Ho Chi Minh passed away. His testament, fullof love, recommendations, points of reference and forecasts for therevolution, was read to a sea of silent grievers. Inaddition to his recommendations for the Party, army and people,President Ho spoke of his absolute faith that “Even though our people'sstruggle against U.S. aggression, for national salvation, may have to gothrough more hardships and sacrifices we are bound to win totalvictory.” He firmly believed that “No matter whatdifficulties and hardships lie ahead, our people are sure of totalvictory. The U.S. imperialists will certainly have to quit. Our Homelandwill certainly be reunified. Our fellow-countrymen in the South and inthe North will certainly be re-united under the same roof. We, a smallnation, will have earned the signal honour of defeating, through heroicstruggle, two big imperialisms - the French and the American-and ofmaking a worthy contribution to the world national liberation movement.” His unwavering trust served as a spiritual pillar and corefactor consolidating the unyielding faith of the entire Party, army andpeople in the inevitable success of the anti-US resistance and bringingabout national salvation and reunification. The northern and southernpeople were once again united under one roof, just as President Hopredicted in his testament. A large part of his testament isdedicated to his views and thoughts on solidarity. The testament madepublic in 1969 comprises only 1,026 words, but 331 of which refer tosolidarity and unity in the Party. Confirming the importance ofsolidarity, he urged “All comrades, from the Central Committee down tothe cells, must preserve the unity and oneness of mind in the Party asthe pupil of their eye.” President Ho’s thoughts on solidaritywere not only entrenched in the Communist Party of Vietnam, but alsoreached out to the international communist movement. He always placedthe Vietnamese revolution in the context of the global revolutionmovement. At all times, he expressed his sentiments sincerely and deeplyto friendly parties, and did so with a sense of responsibility,considering them part of his body. In the end, Uncle Hoexpressed his most driving aspiration, purpose in life and lifetimeobjectives which were for “the entire Party and people to unite to makeVietnam a country of peace, unification, independence, democracy andprosperity, thus significantly contributing to the global revolutionarycause”.-VNA