How sacred the word “fellow countrymen” is! (VOV) - Vietnamese people are steadfastly independent and proud of their cultural roots. Since the founding of the Vietnamese state they have stood with unanimity to create a formidable strength propelling the nation forward. There is no denying the fact that ethnicity is a sensitive issue in every nation around the globe. If this issue is addressed properly, it will create a driving force behind the social advancement of humankind, but if it is underestimated, it can surely lead to national and global disaster. Despite the absence of world wars, statistics show more than 60 civil wars and hundreds of ethnic conflicts have erupted across the globe since 1945, causing immeasurable death and destruction. Most of those wars and conflicts originated from ethnicity or related issues. Many have dragged on for a long time and have yet come to an end, while new ones have broken out, threatening the lives and safety of millions. Africa is a prime example. With its nearly 1,000 ethnic or tribal groups, the continent is the centrepiece of armed conflicts within a nation and among a number of nations. The Middle East is another hotspot of harrowing bloody sectarian wars. The former Soviet Union republics and Asian countries such as India, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and Thailand are also mired with deep conflict over ethnic related issues.   Since its coming into being in 1930 the Communist Party of Vietnam has led the Vietnamese nation to gain major victories, including those over the two world aggressors France and US in the 20th century, and is now leading the nation to carry out the Doi Moi (Renewal) and international integration Ethnicity is a thorny problem and rarely is this sensitive issue addressed as rationally as in Vietnam. During the course of its history, 54 ethnic Vietnamese groups have stood shoulder to shoulder to fight foreign aggressors and while peacefully cohabitating under the same roof. There are different factors which provide a rational behind this success. First and foremost it results from traditional values. Vietnamese people are proud and treasure the tradition in Vietnamese legend and mythology of Con Rong Chau Tien (Children of Dragon and Fairy) about the origin of the Vietnamese nation. Legend has it that Lac Long Quan (Dragon Lord) married Au Co (Fairy) who later gave birth to a sac containing 100 eggs. From the sac, 100 children were born and they fanned out to every corner of the country to settle down and form the Vietnamese state. The oldest son ascended the throne as Hung King and there were a total of 18 Hung Kings altogether. Vietnamese people are proud of their roots because they have and worship the founders of the Vietnamese nation (i.e. Hung Kings). A traditional saying has been passed down to generations “Du ai di nguoc ve xuoi/Nho ngay gio to mung muoi thang Ba” (literary: wherever you go, remember the ancestral death anniversary on March 10th). When the 10th day of the third lunar month comes, thousands pilgrimage across the country to pay homage to Hung Kings and millions of Vietnamese people turn their heart and mind to Phu Tho province where Hung Kings were said to be buried in commemoration of the founders of the nation. Vietnamese people are very proud of their ancestors, and they follow the leadership of great President Ho Chi Minh who travelled the length and breadth of the globe in search of national salvation. He eventually found the truth, founded the Communist Party of Vietnam and led Vietnamese people and the army to glorious victories over French and American aggressors in the 20th century. President Ho was so well respected that he was passionately called “Uncle” by all Vietnamese people, old and young alike. He had a deep abiding love for people of all social strata no matter who they were or whether they were from a majority or minority ethnic group. He often called people of all ethnic groups “fellow countrymen”. Nobody knows exactly how many times he had used this phrase during talks or in his written articles. It is worth remembering that before reading the Declaration proclaiming the birth of the independent and free Vietnamese State in Hanoi on September 2, 1945, President Ho said “Fellow countrymen. Can you hear me clearly?” When the country was invaded by French aggressors and its destiny was within a hair’s breadth of collapse, President Ho used the phrase “fellow countrymen” to beckon people to rise up and wrest back independence. During peacetime, he called people “fellow countrymen” as if they were a close relative. Even before his passing, in his Testament, he earnestly yearned for everyone to have rice to eat, clothes to wear and the right to get an education and go to school. In the light of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s Thought, the Communist Party of Vietnam – the vanguard force of the workers’ class and the Vietnamese nation as a whole, has built a close relationship with the people like “flesh and blood” and like “fish and pond”. For this reason, Vietnamese people call the Communist Party of Vietnam “our party”. Since its inception in 1930, the party has strived for the people’s happiness. In its revised 2011 National Programme in the Transitional Period to Socialism, the CPV has learnt five big lessons, of which the second is:” The revolutionary cause is of the people, by the people and for the people”. The party asserts what it has done meets the legitimate interests and aspirations of the people. The Party’s strength lies in its close bond with the people. In its revised programme, the party advocates a policy of equality, unity, respect, and mutual assistance between ethnic groups, creating conditions for ethnic groups to develop together with the Vietnamese nation. Vietnam is accelerating national industrialisation and modernisation, as well as international integration, which presents both opportunities and challenges. Its role and position has been elevated around the globe. More importantly, there is a close bond between the CPV and the people that is the decisive factor behind every victory of the Vietnamese revolution.  Prof. Dr. Vu Van Hien VOV