Ho Chi Minh’s Marxist–Humanist Conception of Ethnic Unity: Theoretical foundations, revolutionary praxis, and contemporary relevance

Abstract

This study reinterprets Ho Chi Minh’s conception of ethnic unity through the lens of Marxist–Leninist dialectical materialism and Vietnamese humanism, highlighting its historical formation, ideological coherence, and enduring policy relevance. In Vietnam’s multi-ethnic context, ethnic solidarity was not merely a political slogan but a revolutionary imperative for both national liberation and socialist construction. Employing qualitative content analysis of primary sources including Ho Chi Minh Toan Tap (The Complete Works of Ho Chi Minh), Communist Party documents, and official speeches this research situates Ho Chi Minh’s thought within comparative frameworks of ethnicity, nationalism, and postcolonial socialism. The findings reveal that Ho Chi Minh synthesized Marxist class-based internationalism with Vietnamese cultural traditions, advancing a model of ethnic relations grounded in equality, mutual respect, and unity in diversity. His approach diverged from both assimilationist and liberal–pluralist models by emphasizing moral solidarity, inclusive governance, and cultural preservation. The study contributes to the theoretical enrichment of Vietnamese political thought and offers insights into contemporary challenges of social cohesion and ethnic policy in Vietnam. It argues that Ho Chi Minh’s vision remains a foundational paradigm for reconciling national unity with cultural diversity in socialist nation-building.