Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, who was also former Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Director of the General Department of Politics, is one of the most outstanding figures of Thanh Hoa. The Party Committee, the armed forces and the people of Thanh Hoa are forever proud of the talented and dedicated general in the cause of regaining national independence and implementing international duties.
Comrade Phieu was born on December 27, 1931 in Dong Khe commune, Dong Son district – a land of revolutionary traditions in Thanh Hoa province. He joined the revolution at a very young age and was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam when he was only 18 years old. Joining the military in 1950, he continuously and directly fought in the national resistance wars and the Southwestern border protection war to safeguard the nation and facilitate national construction.
Holding different important positions in the military and the Party, Comrade Phieu always showed his absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland, the people and strictly promoted the virtues of a communist revolutionary and an Uncle Ho’s soldier. He never stopped learning and training himself, striving to fulfill all assigned missions. In carrying out tasks, he was swift with a practical and lucid mind in making decisions. He was always close to the people and took responsibility for his actions while staying simple and humane, truly a beloved leader of the people. His character won him the admiration of the international community.
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Former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu (L) during his visit to hometown Thanh Hoa province |
As the Party chief, he paid special attention to Party building and revamping work. He stressed, “Only a truly healthy and strong party can keep its cause forever.” In recent years, despite old age and poor health, he still contributed wholehearted ideas to the Party, State and military, as he once said, “We have to continue with the duties of Party members and only cease to make contributions when our hearts stop beating.” For his outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, he was awarded with the Golden Star Order, the 70-year Party membership badge, and various other noble orders and titles.
During his revolutionary career, Comrade Phieu paid special sentiment and care to Thanh Hoa province – his homeland. He always closely followed the development of the province, shown in his true desire to see the homeland in particular and the nation in general thrive. Each time he visited Thanh Hoa, he often reminded the Party Committee, the leadership and the people of the province to uphold revolutionary traditions, strengthen solidarity, effectively carry out Party building work, and boost socio-economic development. Throughout his life he always had a burning desire to turn Thanh Hoa into a sustainable, strong, and prosperous province. Years have gone by, the people of Thanh Hoa province have still borne in mind that hope of the late Party chief.
Following the words of Comrade Phieu, the province has made efforts over the years to earn remarkable achievements. Specifically, the economy of the province often records high development rates with the average GRDP growth in the 2016-2020 period estimated at 12.5%, more than 1.5-fold of that of the 2011-2015 period. The size of the provincial economy has increased rapidly, valued at about VND 229 trillion (nearly USD 10 billion) in 2020, ranking top among provinces in the North-Central Region and ranking eighth among all provinces of Vietnam. The province’s GRDP per capita is estimated at USD 2,670, about 1.9-fold of that in 2015. Many achievements have also been recorded in various social and cultural areas.
Comrade Le Kha Phieu always paid close attention to education. He formed Le Kha Phieu Foundation to encourage and build a learning society in Thanh Hoa province. Since its launch in 2015, the foundation has accumulated more than VND 6 billion (about USD 260,000) in funding. This social fund has helped students in need to learn and succeed in their studies. The fund also rewards students with outstanding abilities, helping them fulfill their dreams and foster talent in not only Thanh Hoa province but the whole nation. A good number of students funded by the Le Kha Phieu Foundation have made efforts in learning and gained success.
Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu has passed away, leaving a great pain in the hearts of the people of Thanh Hoa province. However, each person here is always proud of him, a shining example and outstanding leader who devoted his whole life to the revolutionary cause and fought tirelessly for the ideal of national independence and socialism. Following his example, the Party Committee, the armed forces, and the people of Thanh Hoa are determined to develop the province comprehensively, striving to turn it into one of the leading provinces in the North by 2025 and a modern industrialized province by 2030 as the late Party chief once wished.
Written by Trinh Van Chien, Ph.D., Secretary of the Party Committee of Thanh Hoa province
Translated by Huu Duong