Madame Nguyen Thi Binh – a graceful, resilient woman – brought the dignity of the Vietnamese people to the world stage, helping progressive nations understand Vietnam more deeply.

Like many others, I received the news of former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh being awarded the title Hero of Labor with immense pride, though with a sense of calm acceptance - as though it was simply the natural course of things.

Calling it “natural” may be fitting, because to millions of Vietnamese who lived through the pain of war, poverty, and international embargoes, honoring someone with such profound contributions as Madame Binh seems more than appropriate - it feels necessary.

Children born in the South before 1975, even those too young to fully comprehend it at the time, knew the pain of war - the loss of homes, the grief of losing family. To us, peace was simply a night’s sleep undisturbed by bombs. Peace meant fathers and uncles not being drafted into battle, not receiving devastating news that another loved one had died at war.

That’s why we have always admired Madame Binh - the elegant niece of the great patriot Phan Chu Trinh, a learned woman who awakened early to the cause of national independence and freedom. She was instrumental in the pursuit of peace for Vietnam.

As a student, I admired her from afar - through books and through my teacher’s vivid stories about the Paris Peace Accords. So, meeting her in person at the ceremony where she received the First-Class Order of Freedom from Laos felt like fate.

At the age of 98, her mobility is limited, yet she spoke to us with warmth, clarity, and piercing intelligence.

Her legendary gaze and composed demeanor were forged during her role as Head of the Delegation for the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam at the Paris Peace Conference, which she led for five years - from May 1968 to January 1973.

She participated in over 200 public meetings, 45 private high-level talks, 500 press conferences, and 1,000 interviews. At one of these, she left a lasting impression when she told international journalists in Paris: "Americans can go to the Moon and return safely. But coming to Vietnam - we’re not so sure!"

A statement that made even the most powerful pause for thought.

With unwavering conviction in her nation’s right to independence and freedom, and with the intellect, courage, and diplomatic finesse of a seasoned negotiator, she fulfilled the trust placed in her by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the Vietnamese people.

She became a symbol of hope and peace, a woman who helped close one of the most painful chapters in our nation’s history by representing one of the four signatories to the Paris Agreement - an event that helped bring about the country’s reunification in spring 1975.

Some opportunities in life never come again. I was truly fortunate to meet Madame Nguyen Thi Binh in person - not as some mythical figure but as a living, breathing woman of great integrity, wisdom, and humanity. She is no fairy tale character, but rather a shining example of a life devoted to principle and purpose.

Now approaching 100, she lives in peace, finding joy in social work. Just as in her youth, regardless of her title or role, she serves one purpose alone: to work for the nation.

This graceful, determined woman has carried the honor of Vietnam to the global stage, helping the world see our country for what it truly is - a proud, peace-loving nation that never cowers before power.

Van Thieng