A new discovery of President Ho Chi Minh through the poetry volume “THE ETERNAL SUNLIGHT” by Van Dien

Ho Chi Minh‘s ideology is a synthesis of proletarian revolutionary spirit, Eastern philosophy, and global wisdom—a philosophy of action transcending eras. With the poetry volume “THE ETERNAL SUNLIGHT” (published by Vietnam Writers’ Association Publishing House, May 2025), poet Van Dien not only inherits this enlightenment but also elevates it through poetry imbued with ideal qualities, guiding humanity beyond all historical periods toward progress and humanity.

Marxist literary criticism emphasizes the relationship between literature and social life, viewing literature as a form of consciousness, a tool for understanding and transforming reality. Genuine poetry both reflects reality and projects the future, charting a course for action and nurturing the people’s spirit in the cause of human liberation.

With “THE ETERNAL SUNLIGHT,” the Marxist method illuminates the evolution of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology within the world of poetry and clearly defines the poet’s role as a soldier on the cultural front, using Uncle Ho’s ideals, ethics, and style as a compass to construct a contemporary revolutionary aesthetic.

Poet Van Dien

Van Dien does not write poetry as a separate aesthetic path but transforms it into an instrument of ideals. His poetry embodies a militant humanism—both loving, enlightening, and guiding. This is a quality that all works in modern revolutionary literature should aspire to.

The poetry collection “THE ETERNAL SUNLIGHT” is not merely a compilation of poems about Ho Chi Minh but a system of thought organized through poetry. This system includes:

Ho Chi Minh’s ideology as a source of enlightenment for humanity.

Ho Chi Minh’s ethics as a principle for living and serving.

Ho Chi Minh’s style as a symbol of creative and simple action.

Each poem is a “bright poetic eye,” an aesthetic and ideological nucleus condensed into verse, creating a spiritual energy field that guides readers to deeper levels of character:

“He lived truly, yet like a legend

His simplicity forever radiant with humanity!”

(Legend of Uncle Ho – page 7)

These two lines do not praise descriptively but reconstruct Ho Chi Minh’s spirit through the poetic philosophical proposition “He lived truly, yet like a legend,” which is the fusion of reality and transcendence, of action and symbol. Uncle Ho was a man of living wisdom, a quality sought by both East and West.

Right from the title “THE ETERNAL SUNLIGHT,” Van Dien builds a sacred, eternal symbol. This eternal sunlight is the image of Ho Chi Minh, a historical figure, the source code of eternal ideals.

“The radiant land bearing His name

His name shines even brighter

Shining gently everywhere.”

(His name shines on – page 10)

This light thoroughly illuminates the soul. It is a gentle light, the light of ethics and culture. This is precisely what Marx once called: “A form of consciousness, when it penetrates the masses, will become a material force.” Ho Chi Minh’s light is that very force.

In the current era of value crisis, the light of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology becomes even more redemptive. The poet does not shout slogans or demagogue but uses ideals themselves to rebuild faith.

A distinctive feature of Van Dien’s poetic technique is how he writes about Uncle Ho as a globalized value. Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, imagery, and influence do not stop at national borders:

“More and more countries

In squares, parks

In schools, libraries…

His image shines.”

(His name shineso – page 10)

Here, the image of Ho Chi Minh becomes a cultural monument for all humanity. He lives not only in the hearts of the Vietnamese people but also within the spirit of humanity, where nations seek a model of a humane and wise leader.

This is the high stature of Marxist thought: the struggle is not only to liberate a nation but also to be a light that awakens and liberates all humanity from injustice and alienation. Van Dien has brought Him—Ho Chi Minh—to sit amidst the “world’s harmony”:

“The green torch for all cultures

Ho Chi Minh forever shines in harmony.”

(Ho Chi Minh forever shines as faith – page 60)

The author skillfully and wisely draws on many themes, ensuring that each poem offers something new while being woven with concise verses, deeply imbued with Eastern philosophy and socially awakening. These are verses that can be called “bright poetic eyes,” where ideals and aesthetic feelings converge:

“A lifetime pure and bright as a star

Sacred from Uncle etched into the soul of the homeland.”

(The “Emptiness” wisdom in Ho Chi Minh – page 34)

“He, the kind one, transcended mundane ego, moving towards the extraordinary

He established a name, a fragrant reputation of contribution, service… rich in truth, goodness, and beauty.”

(Honor, the noble and sacred – page 71)

“Organization leads the way, technological wisdom, democratic transparency

The leader steers, the art of organization thrives.”

(Organization – The Art of Arts – page 78)

These lines of poetry are not just aesthetic but also argumentative. They help readers introspect: How to live kindly? How to lead correctly? How to contribute meaningfully?

The universal method, which approaches poetry from broad frameworks of anthropology, philosophy, and psychology, allows us to understand Van Dien’s social role. He does not just write poetry to commemorate but to transmit:

Transmitting ideals to the younger generation

Transmitting public ethics to those in power

Transmitting national faith amidst global integration.

This is the role Gramsci called the “organic intellectual,” one who directly participates in the construction of social consciousness. The poem “Remembering Uncle Ho’s leaving anniversary” is simply written:

“Living kindly, knowing right from wrong

That is being ‘loyal and filial’.”

(Remembering Uncle Ho’s leaving anniversary – page 82)

But behind that simplicity is a grand message: national ethics are the foundation of civilization. Van Dien’s poetry is a combination of awakening whispers and political vigor.

When considering the poetry collection “THE ETERNAL SUNLIGHT,” it can be likened to a spiritual epic, where the soul of the nation, revolutionary ideals, and human wisdom converge. This is a poetry collection worth contemplating, and moreover, a cultural act, where the poet transforms himself into a reflection of Ho Chi Minh in the new era.

In the context of globalization, where people can easily fall into a utilitarian lifestyle and lose their ideals, poetry like Van Dien’s is a “moral immune system,” helping society preserve its core values.

For these reasons, the poetry collection “THE ETERNAL SUNLIGHT” resonates with Vietnamese readers and deserves to be translated into many languages, becoming a global poetic message about the humanity, ideals, and wisdom of the Vietnamese people.