The road to happiness is spacious but one must overcome many difficulties and great challenges. The revolution in the South, with countless hardships and sacrifices, and the mobilisation of the people and resources of the entire country, reached the day of total victory in the historic Spring of 1975. Reunifying the country is a great aspiration and the boundless happiness of all Vietnamese people.
The socialist revolution in the North started from a very low and backward point. Agriculturally, the average land area was no more than 1,000 m2 per person. The Party and Uncle Ho advocated expanding the cultivated area.
Regarding industry, there were only a few coal mines in Quang Ninh, and Yen Phu Power Plant in Hanoi, which produced 60,000 kW/year. Hai Phong Cement Factory produced 300,000 tonnes/year, and Nam Dinh Textile Factory produced several million metres of fabric each year.
Later, there was Thuong Dinh Industrial Park, Hanoi, Viet Tri Industrial Park, and Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Zone. “Who can calculate the price of a kilogram of iron and steel. A bar of silk, a bowl of corn rice? How many days of floods, dry days. And how many feats of arms, soldiers” (To Huu - On the national road).
The North has risen up and taken off. In 1964, food for the whole society was basically provided and 90% of consumer goods were produced. Education and culture developed towards civilisation and progress. In March 1964, President Ho Chi Minh stated at the Special Political Conference: “The North of our country has made unprecedented strides in the history of the nation. The country, society and people have all been renewed”.
Ho Chi Minh’s innovation ideology was formed very early. In 1927, in his work entitled “The Revolutionary Path”, he wrote: “Revolution is to destroy the old and replace it with the new, destroy the bad and replace it with the good”. The nature of revolution is to innovate in a progressive and positive direction. Immediately after the August Revolution in 1945, President Ho Chi Minh mobilised the entire population to build a new life, break away from bad habits and backwardness, and move towards something new and good.
In his historic Testament, he instructed the Party and people on what needed to be done to rebuild the country after the victory. There is one very important thing: “This is a fight against what is old and corrupt, to create new and fresh things. To win this huge fight, it is necessary to mobilise, organise and educate the whole people, relying on the great strength of the whole people”.
After the country was reunited on April 30, 1975, the whole country was building socialism, and the path to national development and happiness opened a new era. Ho Chi Minh’s innovation ideology illuminated the path of the Party and its people. But the whole nation had to brace itself to overcome heavy challenges. It had to overcome the enormous consequences of 30 years of war. It had to fight steadfastly to protect every inch of the Fatherland’s border and fulfil its noble international obligations.
After 40 years of renewal, Vietnam has achieved great achievements of historical significance. The country has never had such fortune, potential, position and international prestige as it does today. In 1986, the average income per capita was only nearly 200 USD. In 2024, it was 4,600 USD, and this year 2025, it is estimated to reach 5,000 USD.
The 13th National Party Congress set the goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030, becoming a developed country with high income by 2045 and building a strong, prosperous, civilised and happy Vietnam. Summarising 40 years of renewal, the 14th National Party Congress will open a new era - the era of national rise.
In leading the construction of socialism in the North, throughout the country and implementing the renewal process, the Communist Party of Vietnam has always been steadfast in its goal: All for a prosperous Fatherland, for the happiness of the people. Today, the goal of building a happy Vietnam is becoming increasingly clear.
First, the people live in independence, freedom and peace, mastering the country, society and their own lives. Having a superior political regime, institution and political system, is truly for the people, as instructed by Uncle Ho: Whatever is beneficial to the people, we must do our best to do, whatever is harmful to the people, we must avoid. Perfecting the mechanism of Party leadership, State management, and people being the masters.
Second, having an increasingly high material life, income and quality of life. No one is poor anymore, everyone has decent housing. Implementing social progress and justice well with a system of policies to ensure social security, ensuring “no one is left behind”. No more corruption, waste and other negative things.
Third, cultural and spiritual life is increasingly rich, and the level of cultural enjoyment is increasingly high. Everyone is educated to become an intelligent, wise and brave person. Vietnamese people are patriotic, benevolent, loyal, united, honest, diligent and creative. Push back and eliminate the bad, backward, negative and corrupt things and create a civilised and progressive life. There are no social evils.
Fourth, society has discipline, and respect for the law, fosters morality and everyone lives in social order and safety. People love each other and are friendly with international friends. People live in a clean natural environment, ensuring non-traditional security.
Ho Chi Minh’s aspiration is to bring the nation to the stage of glory, to stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents and “the road to happiness is spacious”. Under the leadership of the Party, today Vietnam has the conditions and opportunities to realise that noble aspiration and belief.