Ho Chi Minh: Wage Resistance War! An Appeal to the Vietnamese People

First Published: December 19, 1946.

Source: A Viet Cong Memoir: An Inside Account of the Vietnam War and Its Aftermath by Truong Nhu Tanh Publisher: Vintage Books, a Division of Random House.

Transcription/Markup: Ho Chi Minh Internet Archive (marxists.org) 2014.

Online Version: Ho Chi Minh Internet Archive (marxists.org) 2014.

Transcriber's Note: On September 14, 1946 a modus vivendi was signed between France and Việt Nam in which France agreed to a ceasefire and to respect democratic freedoms in Việt Nam; in exchange, Việt Nam would recognize France’s cultural and economic interest in Việt Nam. France proceeded to violate this agreement at every turn, leaving President Hồ Chí Minh with no choice but to appeal to the Vietnamese people to wage a war of resistance against renewed French aggression. This appeal marked the beginning of this victorious war that ended in 1954 with the Geneva Accords after the crushing defeat of France at Điện Biên Phủ.

Wage Resistance War!

An Appeal to the Vietnamese People

Compatriots throughout the country!

Out of love for peace we have made concessions. But the more concessions we made, the further the French colonialists went because they are resolved to invade our country once again.

No!

We would rather sacrifice everything than lose our country, than return to slavery.

Compatriots! Rise up!

Men and women, old and young, regardless of creeds, political parties, or nationalities, all the Vietnamese must stand up to fight the French colonialists to save the Fatherland. Those who have rifles will use their rifles. Those who have swords will use their swords. Those who have no swords will use their spades, hoes, and sticks. Everyone must endeavor to oppose the colonialists and save his country.

Soldiers, self-defense guards, militiamen!

The hour of national liberation has struck! We must sacrifice to our last drop of blood to save our country. Whatever hardships we must endure, we are ready to endure them. With the determination to sacrifice, victory will be ours!

Long live an independent and unified Việt Nam!

Long live the victorious resistance!