Peer Review Report For: Political and Ideological Work in the Southern Battlefield and the Construction of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Image in Foreign Affairs (1954–1975) [version 1; peer review: 1 approved]

Background The resistance war against the United States was not merely a military struggle but also a diplomatic and international public opinion battle. In this context, constructing the image of the Vietnamese Revolution played a particularly crucial role in consolidating legitimacy and garnering international support. Consequently, the ideological, cultural, and social fronts within revolutionary battlefields became an organic component of the revolutionary foreign policy strategy. Research Problem Alongside formal diplomatic activities at the central level, political and ideological work within revolutionary battlefields particularly the Southern battlefield contributed to shaping and disseminating the image of the Vietnamese Revolution to the international public. However, the role of grassroots political-ideological work in image-building and supporting foreign affairs has not yet been systematically examined in existing diplomatic and international relations literature. Objectives This article aims to analyze the role of political and ideological work in the Southern battlefield in constructing the Vietnamese revolutionary image for foreign affairs from 1954 to 1975. Through this analysis, the study clarifies the relationship between building domestic political and social strength and consolidating the international image and legitimacy of the Vietnamese Revolution. Methods The study employs the historical method combined with document analysis and international relations approaches regarding image, legitimacy, and soft power. Research is based on an examination of party documents, propaganda materials, memoirs, revolutionary journalism, and various international sources related to peace movements and global public opinion on the Vietnam War. Main Conclusions The research indicates that political and ideological work in the Southern battlefield did not only serve to build internal revolutionary strength but also acted as a vital resource for constructing the national image, reinforcing legitimacy, and enhancing the diplomatic effectiveness of the Vietnamese Revolution during the anti-American resistance war.