The Political Consultative Conference - A Prelude to the General Election for National Reunification

Abstract

The Political Consultative Conference - A Prelude to the General Election for National Reunification Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Son Dai Faculty of History, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education Following the complete liberation of South Vietnam, the country was, in essence, reunified. However, two distinct state structures continued to exist: north of the 17th parallel was administered by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, while south of the demarcation line was governed by the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. The question of national reunification in terms of state organization was not only an objective historical necessity but also an ardent aspiration and sacred sentiment shared by the people of both North and South, particularly those in the South after 21 years of resistance against U.S. intervention and division. From 15 to 21 November 1975, the Political Consultative Conference was convened at the Reunification Hall (formerly the Independence Palace), bringing together delegations representing the people of both regions. The conference adopted key resolutions on orientations, steps, and measures to achieve state reunification, thereby laying the groundwork for a nationwide general election to elect a unified National Assembly. This marked a transition of Vietnam into an era of peace, independence, reunification, and socialism.