Viet Nam Television's VTV4 channel plans to air a documentary on Nguyen Ai Quoc (President Ho Chi Minh)'s life in Thailand (1928-29). The programme was produced by historian Artha Nantachukra. He interviewed Vietnamese communities living in Ubon Rachathani, Mukdahan and Sakon Nakhon for the documentary.
He talks with Culture Vulture about the project.
What inspired you to make a documentary about Nguyen Ai Quoc. Why did you choose the title Spirit of Viet Nam?
The idea came to me when I was researching Viet Nam's history in 1995. I came across a lot of material on President Ho Chi Minh – a great figure in Viet Nam and the world as a whole. I also uncovered a lot of material about the late president in libraries in Thailand when he was living in secret in various locations in Thailand in 1928-29. There was so much information that it has taken me until now to complete the project.
President Ho spearheaded Viet Nam's liberation. He was the founder of modern Viet Nam. He is the spirit of the country. I wanted to focus on his personal life and the sacrifices he made for the good of the country. That's why I chose that title.
Where did you gather your material? Did you encounter any difficulties?
My colleagues and I spent more than three years researching the time President Ho Chi Minh stayed in Thailand (when he adopted the alias Thau Chin). We visited communities in which he lived in Thailand and interviewed people who came in contact with him.
The Vietnamese in Thailand were very helpful and made my job much easier.
Where did you get the money to make the documentary?
If you have the passion and desire to make a documentary, the money will come. I encountered no difficulties mobilising funds for the task.
In every Vietnamese community we visited we received a warm welcome. They did everything they could to help us out of love for their late leader.
The film also reflects the friendship that exists between the Thai and Vietnamese people.
Could you tell me about your previous research on Thai ethnic groups in northwest Viet Nam?
My research was on ethnic Thais in northwest Viet Nam and the Tai Dam group in Thailand. They share the same roots. They originated in the south of China and migrated to north Viet Nam, Laos and Thailand more than 1,000 years ago.
The ethnic Thais in Viet Nam and the Tai Dam in Thailand have a lot in common – their houses, their dress and their way of life.
Do you often travel to Viet Nam? How has the country changed?
I often return to Viet Nam on business trips to universities in the country. Each time I come here I see more and more high-rise buildings – a reflection of the country's steady economic growth.
I also noticed that educational standards had improved markedly. Other countries in mainland Southeast Asia could learn a lot from Viet Nam's education system.
What do you plan to do on your next trip to Viet Nam?
I want to conduct research on Viet Nam's economic situation. As you know, Viet Nam has played an important role in the East-West economic corridor that runs between Viet Nam, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.
I first intend to look into the local culture, people's way of life, what they think about. That will give me an insight into the country's socio-economic situation. — VNS