Resounding great victory in the spring of 1975

Today, the entire Party, people and army celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30). This year’s celebration is more meaningful as the whole country is striving to successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and resolutions of Party Congresses at all levels. We have gradually controlled the COVID-19 pandemic, recovered and promoted the economy, bringing life back to normal after more than two years of drastic pandemic prevention and control.

Military rehearsal to celebrate the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day in 2015. (Photo: VNA)
Military rehearsal to celebrate the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day in 2015. (Photo: VNA)

Forty-seven years ago, when the time for a general offensive against the last stronghold of the Saigon government had arrived, the Politburo and the Party Central Committee decided to launch a strategic campaign named after President Ho Chi Minh. With fast, daring, and unexpected power, at 11:30 am on April 30, 1975, the liberation flag fluttered on the roof of the Dinh Doc Lap (Independence Palace), the last stronghold of the Saigon government. President of the Saigon government Duong Van Minh had to declare his unconditional surrender.

The Ho Chi Minh campaign was one of the greatest and most glorious victories in the thousand-year history of national construction and defence, ending 21 years of a long and arduous war, completely defeating the new colonialism of the US imperialists, and bringing our country into a new era of unification, independence and freedom towards building socialism.

The victory affirms the sound leadership of the Party and the pinnacle of Vietnam's military art. That is the victory of Vietnamese bravery and wisdom, a shining symbol of the great strength of national unity and the spirit of international solidarity as well as the victory of the Vietnam people’s war during the Ho Chi Minh era.

Upholding revolutionary heroism and the fighting spirit in the spring of 1975, the entire Vietnamese Party, people and army have overcome all difficulties and challenges and carried out the renewal cause initiated and led by the Party. The economy has developed in the direction of industrialisation and modernisation, the people’s material and spiritual life has been improved remarkably, and the political system and the great national unity bloc have been consolidated. The national independence and sovereignty are maintained while security and defence potential is growing stronger, external relations are expanding, and Vietnam's position in the international arena is constantly being enhanced.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over recent years and the complicated world situation, Vietnam has steadily overcome difficulties and challenges to accomplish many important achievements in various fields. Our country has never had the fortune, potential, position and prestige like today.

The world and regional situation are anticipated to see complicated and unpredictable developments in 2022 and in the coming years. Hostile forces at home and abroad are stepping up activities against our country’s revolution with many sophisticated and cunning tricks. Although Vietnam has controlled the COVID-19 pandemic and is accelerating the socio-economic recovery and development, the risk of disease outbreaks remains, directly threatening and affecting the socio-economic development and people's lives.

Forty-seven years have passed, but the great stature and significance of the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, particularly the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, is still shining, being a source of encouragement for the entire people to continue the cause of national renewal.

Promoting the lessons of experience and the fighting spirit in the spring of 1975 in the new era, the entire Party, people and army will uphold the spirit of patriotism and self-reliance to overcome all challenges and to perform well in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam will also continue to recover and promote socio-economic development, ensure national security and defence, accelerate the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, and realise the goals of the five-year socio-economic development plan in the 2021-2025 period towards building a powerful Vietnam as the wish of beloved Uncle Ho.