From sacred oath of independence

In the historic autumn of 1945, under the brilliant and wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, millions of Vietnamese people united into a unified bloc, rose up to seize power, and smashed the colonial and feudal domination, with the determination that "whatever sacrifices we have to make, even though we have to set ablaze the Truong Son Range, we must resolutely win national independence at all costs.”
On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)
On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh's Declaration of Independence resounded in the historic Ba Dinh Square, a sacred moment deeply engraved in the hearts of many generations of Vietnamese people with great pride: "Vietnam has the right to be a free and independent country — and in fact is so already. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to mobilise all their physical and mental strength, and to sacrifice their lives and property in order to safeguard their liberty and independence."

From here, the history of the nation officially turned a new page, Vietnamese people rose up from slavery to become citizens of an independent country, mastering their own destiny; the Vietnamese people entered a new era, an era of national independence and socialism.

Over the past 80 years, the oath of independence and the spirit of solidarity have always been respected, preserved, and constantly promoted by the generations of Vietnamese people. Every time the country faces difficult challenges, that oath resounds, calling on the Vietnamese people to continue to stand side by side, with the same determination, the same will: “No matter what anyone says/Our hearts remain as firm as a tripod/No matter who builds fences/Our hearts remain Uncle Ho’s people!” (★)

Recalling the end of 1946, when the young Vietnam had just begun the process of national construction, the French colonialists revealed their ambition to invade our country once again. Specifically, in December 1946, the French army massacred civilians, occupied a number of government headquarters, and sent an ultimatum forcing the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to hand over control of the capital.

Unable to let foreign invaders invade our country again, on the night of December 19, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Central Party and the Government, issued a call for national resistance. The will for independence and the spirit of solidarity became the torch that guided the Vietnamese people in times of danger: “We would rather sacrifice everything than lose our country, than live as slaves. Dear fellow countrymen! We must rise up!"

Twenty years later, in 1966, the Vietnamese people's resistance war against the invading US imperialism entered its most fierce and fierce phase. The US imperialism reinforced 300,000 troops for the Southern battlefield, while simultaneously conducting a destructive war in the North with the determination to "bring the North back to the Stone Age".

In that dire situation, the entire Vietnamese people as one, joined forces to demonstrate their iron determination: "The war may last five years, 10 years, 20 years, or even longer. Hanoi, Hai Phong and other cities and factories may be devastated, but the Vietnamese people are determined not to be afraid! Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.”

The great victory in the spring of 1975 completely ended the war of aggression and neo-colonial rule of the US imperialists in the south, and the country was completely unified. This is the “sweet fruit” crystallised from the will of independence, self-reliance, and solidarity of the Vietnamese people not to submit to any enemy.

Entering the transition period towards socialism, our country carried out two parallel strategic tasks of building and defending the Fatherland with high determination. However, in the 80s and 90s of last century, the world situation had great fluctuations.

In addition to subjective and internal causes, the sabotage of imperialism through the strategy of “peaceful evolution” contributed to pushing socialist countries in the world, especially the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries, into a comprehensive crisis, negatively affecting the cause of building socialism in the world as well as in Vietnam.

These difficulties and challenges require countries in the socialist system to urgently carry out comprehensive reforms and national renewal. In Vietnam, the sixth National Party Congress, which took place in December 1986, marked a historic turning point demonstrating the determination to carry out the renovation process in all aspects, realising the aspiration for national independence with the goal of having a "rich people, strong country, democracy, equality, and civilization".

The achievements our country has reaped after nearly 40 years of "Doi Moi" (Renewal) have been recognised and highly appreciated by international friends. From the starting point of being a poor, backward country, not yet named on the world map, with continuous wars, Vietnam has now risen to become a symbol of peace, stability, hospitality, and a friendly destination for international friends.

In recent years, our country has had to constantly deal with epidemics and natural disasters, such as COVID-19 or Super Typhoon Yagi, suffering huge losses in human lives and property, but the Vietnamese people have always united into a solid block, loving, united, sharing, no one be left behind.

"We go forward, nothing can separate us" because "Our hearts share the same Vietnamese fortune!" (★)

That is the Vietnam's strength, the will, determination, and steadfast spirit of solidarity that has been forged through all hardships and challenges. In the current period, our country confidently enters the new era of national development, the oath of independence, the spirit of unity and solidarity continue to be the sacred "red thread" connecting Vietnamese people at home and abroad, evoking the spirit of solidarity and enthusiasm in generations, especially the young generation, together maintaining independence, building a "more dignified, more beautiful" country while "standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's great powers" as President Ho Chi Minh aspired.

From being besieged and embargoed, Vietnam has now established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, has strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with 32 countries, including all major countries and all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, is an active member of ASEAN and more than 70 regional and international organisations, and has trade relations with more than 220 countries and territories.

(★) Excerpt from the poem "Ta Di Toi" (We go forward) of To Huu.

NDO
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