Vietnamese historian Duong Trung Quoc poses the question for discussion, and finds that the answer may lie in the mindset of those answering. What do you think, is Vietnam a small country, or not?

The following is an essay on the topic, taken in full from the Thanh Nien print newspaper:

Last Saturday, many of my colleagues and I had a chance to meet and talk with the former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

He told us that this was his third visit to Vietnam. During the two previous visits, he appeared on behalf of the German government leader, but this time he came here as an advisor to a Swiss telecom group, which has been operating in Vietnam for 15 years.

“I come here this time for the sake of my love for Vietnam,” he said, stressing that the affection grew from his career as a statesman and his boyhood memories impacted by a Vietnam that was the symbol of a great-hearted liberation history and a distinguished culture.

Schroeder said the vice-mayor of Venice once introduced himself to Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An saying, “I belong to the Vietnam generation.”

I also heard the same introductions from a European Parliament leader in Belgium capital of Brussels and many other foreigners.

Let’s re-read Binh Ngo Dai Cao (A Great Proclamation upon the Pacification of the Wu), which Nguyen Trai wrote in 1428 after a victory over the Chinese Ming, also known in Vietnam as Wu.

“Regarding our Great Viet – It’s really a cultural nation – The border, rivers and mountains have already defined – Customs of North and South are also different – The Trieu, Dinh, Ly, and Tran dynasties followed the path of building the country – Along with the Han, Tang, Song and Ming occupied and ruled over unchalleged an area – Though enduring many ups and downs, every reign still has its heros.”

When referring to his nation, Le Quy Don, a Vietnamese philosopher, poet, encyclopedist, and government official in the 18^th century, always said proudly, “Our Vietnam is famous for its old-aged culture and masterpiece literary works, and is not inferior to China.”

Ngo Thoi Nham, one of the talents under the reign of Emperor Quang Trung wrote a poem to express his pride in Vietnam after he paid a visit in China as the King’s envoy. “How lucky we are! We were born in Vietnam; never say that we are uncivilized….”

Phan Thanh Gian (1796-1867), a government official and diplomat under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, whenever traveling to China or a Western country as the King’s envoy, usually wrote on a silk board the word “Dai Nam” (Great South) then hung it on the prow of the envoy vessel to demonstrate the pride in his homeland country.

The nation’s history is littered with such stories. We could never exist without such pride. It was the struggle for independence and the development and emergence of the Vietnamese nation that has given rise to that pride.

A century under the rule of the French colonialists was a shame for the Vietnamese nation after a millennium of independence and defeating foreign invaders over ten times.

In the 19^th century, only few hundred mercenaries could occupy the Hanoi royal citadel and commanders Nguyen Tri Phuong and Hoang Dieu, in charge of protecting the citadel, killed themselves after the citadel was lost.

The colonialists brainwashed Vietnamese pupils into believing that “Our ancestors were the Gaulois”.

A large number of Vietnamese were hired as cheap labor on foreign farms and many Vietnamese young men were involved in the two world wars in the Europe.

These situations, coupled with the difficult lives of the Vietnamese under the rule of colonialism and feudalism tempered hatred for aggressors and traitors.

From Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chau Trinh, and Nguyen Thai Hoc to Nguyen Ai Quoc (or Ho Chi Minh) felt the shame of being the citizens of a lost country and together with others they turned vindictive hatred into strength and struggle for independence.

The Vietnamese nation made a public declaration of its sovereignty based on the common principles of humankind.

That nation proved its strength through three consecutive wars over four decades when they had no way but the iron will, “die to save the country’.

But why is Vietnam currently lagging behind many other countries despite its great achievements gained during 20 years of Doi Moi (Renovation)?

Everybody knows that keeping the country’s GDP high growth rate, which ranks first or second in the region, as well as its stable security is a product of great efforts in Vietnam.

However, Vietnam still lags, and we have to find out why.

Of course, war is always mentioned as the leading cause. The wars destroyed many parts of the country and have left negative consequences, including human losses and difficult paths for human beings. Such consequences can be viewed or counted and the country has spent many decades overcoming them.

However, the thoughts and behaviors of many Vietnamese people are also to blame for the country’s inferiority.

Many have witnessed thousands of Vietnamese women left to marry foreigners in the hope of escaping a poor life and family violence, but why has nobody thought about a solution to prevent this, besides reflecting the urgent matter in newspapers.

I don’t know whether people feel responsible to the country enough to seek ways to solve this situation.

Attracting more foreign investors and getting more foreign loans are considered criteria to measure the world’s confidence to Vietnam. These have brought necessary sources but how many people pay attention to such things like whom are the real beneficiaries and whom will be responsible to pay due debts.

One more thing, whether the strikes and work slow downs are part of the traditions of the working class or not. Several scandals and million dollar embezzlements have been brought to light recently but the people responsible have yet to resign from office due to a shameless lack of responsibility.

Nowadays it seems we have an inferiority complex simply because Vietnam is a small country. Many speeches from Vietnamese officials make us think that our homeland is begging to be listed among the poor and remote regions of the world to enjoy international aid. These officials should realize that this is a shame, but they remain unaware.

I remember what General Vo Nguyen Giap, who made great contributions to the country’s triumphs over the French and US forces, once reminded us: “There is a generation who looked the traces of the foreign invaders on the Northern Gate Citadel to nourish the will to wash over the shame of losing our sovereignty.”

Now, everyday, besides the weather forecast, we should announce Vietnam’s development rank as well as the country’s debts so that Vietnamese citizens think about our shame of lagging behind and make greater efforts to help the country catch up with many other nations in the world.

I have met two businessmen who decided to use the ancient names of Vietnam to label their project and brand. One named his large entertainment and culture park in southern Binh Duong province as “Dai Nam” (Great South). The other is the owner of a brewery named “Dai Viet” (Great Viet) in northern Thai Binh province.

Asked why they chose the names, both recalled the pride of the nation, stressing that thanks to the pride Vietnamese ancestors left, the current generations have a beautiful country with a glorious history.

The two men asked me the same question: “Is Vietnam a small country?” According to them, it’s in one’s state of mind.

If you view your country as small, people are likely to wrap themselves up in attaining narrow targets and never reach the over all target of catching other developed countries.

But, if our state of mind is large and we dare take on the challenges to do great things, we will make our country great as our ancestors did.

In this essay, I also want readers to share with me a meaningful question: “Is Vietnam a small country or not?”

Source: Thanhnien.online