Confucianism and Hồ Chí Minh’s Thought

Abstract

This paper explores the profound influence of Confucianism on the ideological framework of Hồ Chí Minh, a pivotal figure in Vietnam’s history. Confucianism, rooted in political ethics and moral education, entered Vietnam early and played a dominant role in shaping its intellectual and social fabric. Hồ Chí Minh, born into a family deeply embedded in Confucian traditions, was extensively exposed to its principles from a young age. This study examines how Hồ Chí Minh adopted and adapted Confucian ideals, particularly its emphasis on moral integrity, education, and the value of people as the foundation of governance. It highlights Hồ Chí Minh’s capacity to extract positive elements from Confucian teachings, such as “tu thân” (self-cultivation) and “dĩ dân vi bản” (people as the root), while rejecting outdated doctrines like patriarchal subjugation and hierarchical elitism. The paper also discusses Hồ Chí Minh’s synthesis of Confucianism with Marxist-Leninist philosophy to address Vietnam’s revolutionary needs. By bridging traditional values with modern ideologies, Hồ Chí Minh crafted a unique philosophical paradigm that harmonized Eastern cultural heritage with Western revolutionary thought, illustrating the enduring relevance of Confucian values in contemporary contexts.