[Asia Report] The Passing of the Last Communist, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

Published 01 Aug.2024 11:15(KST)

The Longest-Serving General Secretary Since Reform and Opening
A Key Figure Symbolizing Economic Development
A Large Number of Leading Korean Business Figures Pay Their Respects
Respected by the Public for His Anti-Corruption Efforts
The Last Generation Influenced by National Father Ho Chi Minh

The Embassy of Vietnam in Korea is located at the eastern end of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, in the northern village of Bukchon. After the restoration of diplomatic relations in 1992, this place, which had been quiet for a while, transformed into a symbol of the development of bilateral relations by 2021 with a state-of-the-art building, as the number of visitors surged since the 2000s.

On July 25-26, a massive event took place here, gathering prominent figures from the domestic business community. Hundreds of VIPs from leading companies such as Samsung, LG, SK, Lotte, and Hyosung assembled at the embassy in Samcheong-dong. It was notable that while domestic politicians were scarce, a large number of heavyweight economic figures attended. This was due to the state funeral of Nguyen Phu Trong, the top-ranking leader of Vietnam. Over the two days, condolence visitors flooded not only throughout Vietnam but also at Vietnamese embassies worldwide. The event reflected Vietnam’s recently rising status regardless of region or ideology, including the US, Russia, China, and Europe.

◆The Late Supreme Leader of Vietnam

Few Koreans or politicians recognize the significance of Nguyen Phu Trong (1944-2024), the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who passed away at the age of 80. Despite reigning as the supreme leader for nearly 13 years since 2011, he remained relatively unknown. Vietnamese figures, including him, are not considered influential enough to affect Northeast Asian geopolitics, so there is little interest. The only Vietnamese figure Koreans generally pay attention to is President Ho Chi Minh, who died in 1969. Considering he passed away over half a century ago, this shows how little Koreans know about Vietnam.

On the 26th of last month (local time), the funeral of Nguyen Phu Trong, the top leader of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, was held at the National Funeral Hall in Hanoi, Vietnam. Vietnamese soldiers are carrying General Secretary Phu Trong's coffin to the hearse. Hanoi EPA=Yonhap News Photo by EPA

Conversely, for Korean businesspeople investing in Vietnam, “Nguyen Phu Trong” is a weighty and resonant name. Like China, Vietnam is a Communist Party-centered society, but it is also difficult to find a figure who symbolizes Vietnam’s development and unity as much as he does. In other words, as a major figure representing a developing Vietnam, Korean companies believe he deserves appropriate respect.

The economic closeness between the two countries is continuously reaching new heights. Currently, Korea and Vietnam are each other’s largest investor, second-largest aid provider, and third-largest trading partner, making them crucial partners. It is overwhelmingly assessed that it will be difficult to find an international investment destination to replace Vietnam in the near future. As of 2023, over 9,000 Korean companies have entered Vietnam, with total investments amounting to $85.9 billion (about 114 trillion KRW), creating approximately 900,000 jobs. This is the highest figure among various investing countries in Vietnam. Naturally, Korea’s dependence on Vietnam has also greatly increased. While cheap labor was the main focus in the past, the value of Vietnam’s domestic market of 100 million people is now significant. Additionally, the number of Vietnamese residents in Korea is estimated to be around 200,000.

◆The Importance of Vietnamese Politics

From the death of Nguyen Phu Trong on July 19 until the state funeral and burial on the 26th, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, was filled with sorrow and solemnity. Especially in his hometown of Dong Hoi Commune in the Dong Da District, a memorial crowd stretched over 2 kilometers. During the funeral period, memorial spaces set up throughout the city saw people of all ages shedding tears to honor the passing of the nation’s supreme leader. All government offices inside and outside Vietnam flew flags at half-mast, and recreational activities in public places were completely suspended. Nationwide broadcasting channels aired programs about the leader’s past deeds and his ideology. Such a level of mourning fervor was rarely seen except for first-generation national treasures like Ho Chi Minh and Le Duan.

“The longest-serving General Secretary since Doi Moi (renovation and opening), a true patriot, and an eternal communist.”

This is how Nguyen Phu Trong is mainly described. The Communist Party General Secretary (also called the Party’s Secretary-General) holds the highest rank in the country, above the president, prime minister, and chairman of the National Assembly. Since Vietnam’s reunification, these four key positions were usually divided among different people, and no single individual dominated politics. However, the situation changed with Nguyen Phu Trong, who served as National Assembly Chairman before becoming General Secretary in 2011. In 2018, he concurrently held the presidency, and in 2021, he achieved an unprecedented third term as General Secretary, effectively exercising “full authority.” The Vietnamese people’s deep sorrow over his death is not merely because he held a high position for a long time. He earned great respect for using his power to push Vietnam’s rapid economic development and to wage a “war against corruption” amid the pandemic with unwavering determination.

During economic growth, he firmly rejected secret negotiation proposals among various factions within the Communist Party that had rapidly enriched themselves by exploiting state land and industrial facilities. He advocated a strict return to the founding spirit of the Communist Party as a Marxist-Leninist. Although his political stance seems anachronistic in a Vietnamese system where capitalism is widespread, he spent his life as a theorist and a media propagandist for the Communist Party. By personally practicing strict integrity and showing restraint by not allowing even his family members to seek high positions, he was regarded as a model for Vietnam’s political elite.

◆The Last Scholar

Recently, the world’s first biography of him was published in Korea. The book titled “Vietnam’s General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong” by author Cho Cheol-hyun is that work. In a recent interview, Cho emphasized, “To understand today’s Vietnam, one must examine the life of its supreme leader,” adding, “Nguyen Phu Trong, who can be called the last scholar, will influence the next generation of Vietnamese politicians for a considerable time with his ethics and national views.”

In reality, Vietnam remains a country where politics dominates the economy. This means the Communist Party’s power monitors companies and can reshape the future of industries through policies. Amid rapid reform and opening, greedy officials have caused considerable inconvenience and damage to Vietnamese and foreign companies. Nevertheless, the reason Vietnam’s economy could grow steadily is that great leaders like Nguyen Phu Trong held the country’s center, purged corrupt officials, and implemented policies for the vulnerable in society.

With Nguyen Phu Trong’s passing, it is said that the generation directly influenced by the national father Ho Chi Minh has disappeared. Whether a next-generation leader comparable to him will emerge, and what ideology they will be armed with, has become a matter of interest.