The People’s Committee of the central province of Quang Nam on April 15 held a ceremony to posthumously honour late Acting President Huynh Thuc Khang with the Golden Star Order.

The country’s highest distinction was made in recognition of the outstanding patriotic scholar’s great contributions to Vietnam ’s struggle for national liberation.

President Truong Tan Sang handed over the order to Khang’s relatives and described his revolutionary life, personality and talent as a shining example for younger generations to learn and follow.

His last words were considered an appeal for people’s unity and trust in a brighter future of the country under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, Sang added.

Huynh Thuc Khang (1876-1947) was born in Tien Canh commune, Tien Phuoc district of Quang Nam province.

He was the acting President of the nascent Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1946 and stood in for President Ho Chi Minh during his time in France for peace talks.

During his revolutionary life, he worked with other patriotic scholars like Phan Chau Trinh and Tran Quy Cap to pioneer in the Duy Tan movement (1906-1908), which raised the patriotism among the people from the North to South.

In 1927, he founded and served as editor-in-chief of Tieng Dan (Voice of People), a newspaper operated by patriotic scholars in central Thua-Thien Hue province. With his far-sighted vision and logical thought, he strongly condemned France colonists’ savage rule and the feudal regime.

Being a historian, Khang also left many valuable works and documents, of which some claim Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos.-VNA