Former PM Vo Van Kiet, who used the nom-de-guerre Sau Dan during the war, passed away following other comrades of his generation, including former Communist Party chief Nguyen Van Linh, former minister of Public Security Mai Chi Tho, and scholar Tran Bach Dang.
I could not believe my ears when I heard of his death.
I could not believe my eyes when I saw Kiet laying motionless on a stretcher when he was repatriated from Singapore to Vietnam on Wednesday.
The rain was pouring heavily that day.
Many at the airport burst into tears.
Bay Hue, the widow of former Communist Party chief Nguyen Van Linh, said in tears: “Mr. Sau Dan committed his whole life to the country, even when he was 86.”
Kiet usually told us, the younger generation: “I will never join elderly associations or groups for the retired.”
We all knew that Kiet was strong enough to contribute to the country no matter how old he was.
Some times we suggested that he rest and bow out for the younger generation, especially considering the great contributions Kiet and his generation had made to the country.
But he did not agree.
On Wednesday, many high-ranking officials arrived at the airport to receive Kiet.
Among them were Truong Tan Sang, permanent member of the Communist Party Secretariat, Politburo member and chief of the Ho Chi Minh City Communist Party Unit, Le Thanh Hai, Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan, HCMC mayor Le Hoang Quan, and HCMC People’s Council Chairwoman Pham Phuong Thao.
Kiet’s personal cooks also turned out to receive his body.
The younger generation has learned a lot from Kiet.
We’ll always take what he said to heart: “Whatever you do, the common benefit of the country and its people must be made a leading priority. Do not be distracted by the pursuit of personal wealth. That’s the sine qua none for every public officer.”
By Nguyen Cong Khe |
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