Nguyễn Thị Bình

Nguyễn Thị Bình (born Nguyễn Châu Sa; 26 May 1927) is a Vietnamese communist leader and politician who negotiated at the Paris Peace Conference on behalf of the Viet Cong, or National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam. After the Vietnam War, she was appointed Minister of Education of Vietnam and from 1982 to 1986, which made her the first female minister ever in the history of Vietnam. She later served as Vice President of Vietnam from 1992 to 2002.

Nguyễn Thị Bình in 1968

Quotes

• When I signed the Paris Agreement, I was extremely moved, thinking of my compatriots, comrades, friends in both the South and the North, thinking of those who have fallen and can no longer know. This momentous event brought tears to my eyes. That is probably the most profound memory in my diplomatic life.
  • "Dấu ấn bà Nguyễn Thị Bình trong “kỳ tích ngoại giao Việt Nam”" (March 15, 2019)

• The military-political struggle on the battlefield creates a favorable environment for the diplomatic struggle, the international political-diplomatic struggle in coordination with the domestic political-military struggle, combines the strength of the strength of the nation with the strength of the times, increasing the fighting strength of our army and people.
  • "Bà Nguyễn Thị Bình: Đấu tranh vì lợi ích tối cao của dân tộc" (January 26, 2013)

• We resolutely defend the country's sovereignty, but advocate the settlement of territorial disputes by peaceful means.
  • "Bài phát biểu của bà Nguyễn Thị Bình, nguyên Phó Chủ tịch nước, tại Đại hội đại biểu toàn quốc Liên hiệp các tổ chức hữu nghị Việt Nam lần thứ V" (March 1, 2014)

• When I realized that it was something I had to do, for the country, for myself, nothing I did when I was young, I don't continue to do now. I am still as enthusiastic as when I joined the resistance against the French. Of course, my enthusiasm now is for another purpose. Having been independent and unified, I hope the people will be happier and the society will be better.
  • "BBC phỏng vấn bà Nguyễn Thị Bình" (March 1, 2009)

• I have not made any mistakes. The path I'm on is absolutely right, there are just some things I could have done better to contribute to the common work.
  • "BBC phỏng vấn bà Nguyễn Thị Bình" (March 1, 2009)

• We had hope that the struggle on all the three fronts, the diplomatic front, the political front and the military front, would help us reach our goal.
  • "Vietnam: A Television History; Interview with Nguyen Thi Binh" in Open Vault (1981)