Still, today such streams continue to return. I am quite certain there are those who came just to see him for once, to make sure that their faith stay intact. A strong faith that I myself among others have chosen to place in “Chú”.  Such a simple faith: a faith in a brighter tomorrow.
My faith was first fostered when the “Doi moi” policy helped me to open the door to university that led to a brighter future, thanks to the philosophy: “We treat each and every youth who joins the society on an equal basis. For the sake of the whole society, we should take genuine dedication, earnest education, and real talents as real parameters.” (1)  I carried this philosophy with me during my formative years, in this exact order: Dedication, Education, and Talent.
My faith was further strengthened when I found this message for a grand unification and harmony for the whole nation: “The intellects will be totally devoted to the nation if they are trusted with important missions that they deserve to undertake. This does not depend only on the intellects themselves, but also depends on a leadership that can win people’s hearts and retain competent people…” (2) This message was my motivation to become a businessperson, and gave me strength to build up a team that continued to grow both in quantity and qualifications, who represent both dedication and talent.
My faith continued to grow when I read his inputs to several important projects: Dung Quất, the Congress Hall, and the project on the expansion of Hanoi… I have faith in his plans, although some of them have not completed.
With his departure, I don’t know if the gap between us and him will get larger or become closer.
I just want to burn a stick of incense to pray for the best, for all plans to become true, for the gap to a better future to be bridged.
The rainy season this year will bring flood to the paddy fields in the Mekong Delta, but the soil there will become more fertile that it now embraces the remains of one of its children.

By Lê Bá Thông, TTT General Director

(1) Article “Grand unification for the whole nation – the stem of our power” by late Prime Minister Võ Văn Kiệt, 28/05/2005
(2) Address by the Ho chi Minh City Committee’s Secretary Võ Văn Kiệt at the Youth Association Congress, July 1997