In 1946, a general election for the first National Assembly was held in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh stood for election in Hanoi. The 118 candidates, including the chairmen of local People’s Committees and representatives of all social classes, made public a proposal that “Ho Chi Minh will not stand for the coming General Election. We elect and permanently support Ho Chi Minh as President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam”.

People from many other localities also proposed that Ho Chi Minh need not stand for election. They unanimously elected him to the National Assembly.

In reply, Ho Chi Minh sent a short letter thanking the people for their warm sentiments. He wrote "As a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, I can’t be an exception to the regulations for the General Election. I have stood for election in Hanoi and can’t stand in other localities. Thank you for your warm sentiments. I hope that all our compatriots will fulfill their tasks as citizens in the coming General Election”.

The refusal was a truly great act in response to the first General Election ever held in Vietnam at the time. In 1946, internal foes and external enemies all nurtured an ambition to undermine the General Election, and many political parties wanted Ho Chi Minh to lose the election. However, Ho Chi Minh definitively refused any given favour and declared that a revolutionary must know how to say “No” to privilege. He said, “I’m a citizen”. His move won the admiration of even his political rivals. His words enlightened his moral example forever.

“I’m a citizen”. This short statement is easy to remember, but not so easy to realise. Recently, quite a few government officials have used public cars when doing private business and bought public houses at a price many times cheaper than the market price level. Quite a few others have made the most of their position by employing relatives without putting their skills to the test.

Surely, when using these special advantages and privileges, these officials did not think that they were also citizens like other people. Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts about special advantage and privilege will forever be a topical lesson for every Government official.