That's all I know about General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

I wrote the word “journalist” first because I am proud to be in the profession that he once did. His life and glorious career cannot be separated from his many years as a journalist and as the leader of the Communist Magazine – the theoretical organ of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He spent nearly 30 years working at the most important magazine in the country.

He was a passionate writer. When he was in hospital, thick books were still introduced. He must have been writing diligently since his days as a journalist, then during his busiest days as head of the Party and State, he still wrote and when his health was exhausted, he still did not abandon his writing career. For him, writing was to convey his conclusions, thoughts and ideas, and even his leadership opinions. He wanted to leave instructions for future generations - I think so.

My friend who participated in publishing his books said, He was careful with every word. He edited every manuscript meticulously. He respected other people's opinions, respected principles and defended principles.

His personality - the General Secretary - is even more admirable. I don't remember how many high-ranking officials had to go to jail, lose their positions, and be disciplined under his tenure as General Secretary, but I'm sure it was the most in any period of the history of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He led the Party building work persistently, wholeheartedly, and determinedly to lead the country to a foundation of "Our country has never had the potential, position, and international prestige like today" and fiercely fought against corruption and negativity. The concepts of "firewood", "burning the furnace", "When the furnace is hot, fresh wood must also burn" appeared under his tenure as General Secretary and as he said, "he did not enjoy disciplining his comrades and teammates, even felt very sad, but had to do it, had to cut off a few wormy branches to save the whole tree". He also said: "What's the use of having a lot of money, you can't take it with you when you die. Honor is the most sacred and noble thing!". What he says is persuasive because he is an example.

He was the General Secretary for the third term. This was an exception. But this exception was accepted and supported by the Party members and the people. He expressed his desire to retire many times, but the Party assigned him to do so, and the people trusted him, so he still tried to do it. He had contributed his whole life to the nation. The news that he was seriously ill was released just 1 day before he passed away.

It would be difficult to write about him in a small article, especially for someone who only observed him from afar, listened to his speeches, read his books, read what others wrote about him and with feelings like me. But we can borrow a sentence from the article published on the afternoon of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's death on July 19 by President To Lam to evaluate: "Throughout his life, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has persistently devoted himself to the revolutionary cause of our Party and people with a spirit and will of steel, not retreating in the face of obstacles and difficulties; affirming a great personality, considering honor as the most sacred and noble thing, upholding principles, living his whole life for the country and for the people".

His appearance in history is even more convincing than the people's hearts. I read the statuses on social networks of the people and intellectuals: "My grandfather is weak... My grandfather is currently at 108", "I am so sad to hear the bad news!", "Respectfully bow to bid him farewell! I hope he will gently return to Marx - Lenin - the world of good people"...

Social media is filled with mourning. Without anyone telling them, the majority of Facebook users in Vietnam changed their profile pictures to black, to images of the Fatherland, and to fly the flag at half-mast...

I read the memories of my friends written about him with respect for a simple, refined, humble, sincere man who lived for others.

The images of him and his family members are very dear and close. The stories I heard about his relatives are that they are not greedy for power, live a private and modest life.

People – “the boat carrier” is also “the boat capsized”. There are not many people in history from ancient times to the present who truly enter the hearts of the people!

I just know that!