Cover Vietnam history books through 80 years of resilience

Discover four Vietnam history books that reveal untold stories, heroic milestones, and the enduring vitality of the nation.

The autumn of 1945 will forever remain a brilliant milestone in the history of the Vietnamese nation. Millions of hearts beat as one, millions of hands clasped together, ushering in a new era of freedom, independence and happiness. Eighty years have passed, yet through the endless flow of time, books remain a solid bridge of knowledge, transporting us back to relive the tragic and heroic moments, and to understand more deeply the origin, identity and indomitable spirit of the nation.

Four Vietnam history books, four different journeys, opening new perspectives and revealing untold stories, help us to appreciate and take pride in the country and people of Vietnam.

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Memoirs of Nguyen Thi Binh – Family, Friends and Country

In the turbulent history of 20th-century Vietnam, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh stands as a symbol of patriotism, resolute will and remarkable diplomatic talent. As the only woman to sign the Paris Agreement in 1973, she left an indelible mark not only on the nation’s history but also on the international political stage.

Family, Friends and Country is a moving narrative journey through Ms Nguyen Thi Binh’s life. With a sincere voice and straightforward style, the book vividly recreates the story of a woman who lived nearly a century, witnessing and contributing to the nation’s defining moments, from her childhood in the countryside of Quang Nam, through years of revolutionary struggle, to her diplomatic achievements of global significance, and even the quiet rhythms of life after retirement.

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Above Memoirs of Nguyen Thi Binh – Family, Friends and Country | Author Nguyen Thi Binh

True to the simple title she chose, the book is far from a dry political account. Instead, it presents a three-dimensional portrait of the forces that shaped her character, soul and ideals: blood ties, comradely affection and deep love for her homeland. In her memoir, she recounts friendships that transcend national and ideological divides, nurtured through sincerity, kindness and respect. It is a beautiful example of what she calls “people’s diplomacy” where people touch people and hearts connect with hearts, which helped secure Vietnam vital international support during its most difficult moments.

Without lofty philosophies, the memoir persuades through simplicity, honesty and humanity. Each line carries the weight of history and the insight of a great personality, a small yet resilient, profound yet humble woman, representing a brave, strong and compassionate Vietnam.

August Revolution 1945 – The first great victory of the Vietnamese people in the 20th century

The book August Revolution 1945 – The first great victory of the Vietnamese people in the 20th century, by Professor Trinh Nhu and Associate Professor Tran Trong Tho (in Vietnamese), is a meticulous, dedicated and high-quality research work, full of new discoveries. It reflects and clarifies a number of historical issues across the entire August Revolution movement, beginning with the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. The Indochinese Communist Party prioritised national liberation, mobilising the nation’s full strength to prepare forces in every aspect and seizing the opportunity to carry out the General Uprising, culminating on 2 September 1945.

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Above August Revolution 1945 – The first great victory of the Vietnamese people in the 20th century | Authors: Prof. Dr. Trinh Nhu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trong Tho

Prominent amongst Vietnam history books, this volume spans 448 pages and six chapters, recreating the nation’s fervent atmosphere during those historic days from the peak of the “Resistance to Japan to Save the Country” to the day of the General Uprising, while analysing the stature, theoretical significance and enduring lessons that can be applied to today’s work of building and defending the Fatherland.

Drawing on rich documentary sources, rigorous arguments and a coherent writing style, August Revolution 1945 is not only a valuable historical study but also a profound reminder of the price of independence and freedom, achievements won with the blood of countless generations. It is an essential read for every Vietnamese, particularly the younger generation, to foster patriotism, national pride and a sense of responsibility to the Fatherland.

Moreover, the book allows each reader to relive the heroic spirit of that revolutionary autumn 80 years ago, instilling renewed faith, determination and aspiration in the ongoing journey of building a modern, rising Vietnam.

Intelligence Tells the Story

Intelligence Tells Stories is a Vietnamese collection of accounts, memoirs, notes and analyses by Nguyen Van Tau (or Tu Cang), a central figure in Vietnam’s strategic intelligence network during the resistance war against the US. Each page immerses readers in the perilous and demanding world of intelligence soldiers, those who “hide in everyday life”, working in the shadows to bring light to the revolution.

Unlike a fictional novel or a dry summary, Intelligence Tells Stories captivates through its simplicity, authenticity and emotional resonance. It recounts planting bases, foiling enemy plots and daring encounters in the heart of wartime Saigon, all told in a lively, straightforward style, occasionally tinged with humour, yet always reflecting the sharpness, courage and ingenuity of a person engaged in extraordinary work.

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Above Intelligence Tells Stories | Author Nguyen Van Tau

A special feature of the book is that it goes beyond portraying intelligence work as a professional task. It also delves into the social context, human psychology, and the complexity of the spy war where the line between life and death can be defined by a glance, a doubt, or a small mistake. Through this lens, “Uncle Tu Cang” not only recounts his life story but also sketches a vivid portrait of a fierce yet heroic historical period.

Intelligence Stories is not only a valuable reference for students of history, military affairs, and security, but also a compelling read for anyone drawn to memoirs and true-life accounts. It offers insight into the soldiers without uniforms: the silent warriors whose contributions to the nation’s historic victories have largely gone unnoticed.

Three Guyanese Prison Breakers

Author Do Thai Binh graduated from the University of Transport and Communications with a degree in Ship Hulls in 1966. Over the decades, he has played a prominent role in the shipbuilding industry and is a member of international professional organisations, including the Royal Institute of Shipbuilders of England (MRINA) and the Shipbuilding Society of America (MSNAME). He currently serves as Vice President of the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Science and Technology Association (VISIA).

Beyond his technical career, he is also an independent translator and researcher, with a particular interest in maritime heritage and the historical experiences of Vietnamese exiles in the early 20th century. Beyond Vietnam history books, he has translated numerous specialised works on the maritime industry, including Maritime Encyclopedia, Indochina Sailing Ships, Roads on the Sea and In the World of Ships. This passion led him to uncover the tragic prison escape journey of colonial soldiers, notably his grandfather, patriot Do Van Phong, in his research for Three Guyanese Prison Escapes.

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Above Three Guyanese Prison Escapes | Author Do Thai Binh

Drawing on reconstructed documents, he brings to life the extraordinary prison escape of three patriots: Ly Lieu, Nguyen Quang Dieu and Do Van Phong. With no weapons or physical force, they relied on intelligence, courage and the solidarity of the Chinese community in the Caribbean. Beyond the three central figures, the book records for the first time the identities of nearly 2,000 Vietnamese imprisoned in Guyane, many of whom have been forgotten by history.

The Three Escapees from Guyanese Prison is both a serious historical study and a journey back to the roots, giving voice to overlooked identities. Through every page, Do Thai Binh conveys the belief that the nation’s history does not remain confined to Vietnam history books, but lives on in those who know how to remember, seek and tell it with devotion.