During the days as the American Imperialists expanded war to northern Vietnam endeavouring to cut the northern region’s support to the southern frontline, the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) on March 22, 1965 launched the ‘Three Responsibilities’ movement in response to President Ho Chi Minh’s appeal “At present, to resist US aggression and save the country is the most sacred task of every patriotic Vietnamese”. The movement featured simple and practical contents including women’s assuming production and household responsibilities in their menfolk’s place, and being prepared to fight if necessary.
The movement satisfied the revolutionary requirements and touched the hearts and sentiment of millions of women in the socialist northern region, immediately triggering a widespread emulation wave. Tens of millions of Vietnamese women – from rural to urban areas, from mountainous to plain regions – shared the same aspiration, ideals and ambition, being responsible for the sake of the fatherland, the people and the happiness of families. They were mettlesome in farming production and were ready to join battles day or night regardless of the dangers posed by the enemy’s bombs and bullets.
In the roles of responsible wives and mothers, Vietnamese women cared for household doings, nourished and educated their children, looked after their ageing parents and stayed faithful to their husbands. Hence, the fine moral values of Vietnamese women were multiplied, becoming a huge source of encouragement to the soldiers on the frontlines of battlefields. Along with the ‘Uprising’ and ‘Long-haired troop’ movements of southern women, tens of thousands of female youths in the northern region of Vietnam enthusiastically participated in militia, youth volunteer and regular army forces, directly battling with an indomitable spirit and gaining glorious victories.
Fifty years have gone by and the spirit of the ‘Three Responsibilities’ movement has remained a priceless asset and an important resource inspiring generations of Vietnamese women. Along with their qualities: self-confidence, self-respect, faithfulness and responsibility, Vietnamese women – regardless of their positions, jobs and classes – have always continued to ignite the flame of the ‘Uprising’ and ‘Three Responsibilities’ campaigns in the period of enhancing national industrialisation and modernisation.
After half a century, the flames of patriotism have continued to empower both current and future generations of Vietnamese women in the cause of national construction and defence. Under the Party leadership, we keep the constant belief that Vietnamese women, in the period of boosting industrialisation and modernisation, will continue to promote their talent and intellect and enthusiastically participate in state management activities and emulation movements, contributing to realising the goal of a rich people, a strong country, and a democratic, equitable and civilised society.
