The great August Revolution of 1945, a glorious milestone in the nation’s history, brought about independence and freedom for the Vietnamese people. The tremendous victory ended the nation’s suffering and marked the dawn of a new era of national independence and socialism. 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, and was the first state for farmers and workers in Southeast Asia.
The Declaration of Independence is the voice of the nation, of the Communist Party that was forged through the revolution, of the patriots who raised the banner of the August Revolution to affirm that “Vietnam has the right to freedom and independence and in fact is a country of freedom and independence. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to mobilise all their physical and mental strength, to sacrifice their lives and property in order to safeguard their freedom and independence”.
Not long after gaining independence, the country once again began the resistance war against French colonialists. The Vietnamese people and army made the great Dien Bien Phu victory, ending nine years of resistance war against French colonialism, helping to promote national liberation movements around the world. The great victory proves the truth that a small nation with great determination and solidarity can defeat any formidable empire.
With the resistance war against the US imperialists, the great victory of Spring 1975 marked another proud chapter in Vietnam’s history of national construction and defense. With that victory, the historic mission of liberating the South and reunifying the country was accomplished, bringing Vietnam into a new era - the era of independence and reunification and building a socialist Vietnam into a strong nation with a just and civilised society.
The reform process initiated and led by the Party for nearly 30 years has seen numerous achievements of historic significance, marking the development in all aspects of the Party, State and people. Vietnam emerged from being an underdeveloped country, and is promoting industrialisation, modernisation and international integration with an increasing position in the international arena. Security and defense have been firmly maintained. The material and spiritual lives of the people have been significantly improved. The country has also made achievements in hunger elimination and poverty reduction, as well as the building of new-style rural areas. The legal system is being continually improved.
However, beside advantages and great opportunities, Vietnam is also facing numerous risks and challenges. Inflation has been controlled, and the macro economy has been mostly stabilised, but not in an entirely sustainable manner. The degradation in political ideology, ethics and lifestyle of a number of cadres and Party members, as well as redtape, corruption, and wastefulness have not been entirely removed.
In order to successfully build the socialist Vietnam into a strong nation with a just and civilised society, one of the most important tasks now is to strengthen Party building; promote of national power and socialist democracy; comprehensively speed up the reform process; develop internal resources of the people; and take advantage of opportunities, overcome difficulties and challenges, to build consensus among people from all walks of life, as well as build trust in society. It is also essential to continue to develop and promote the strength of the whole political system, and build a strong law-governed socialist state. More attention should be paid to implementing the 2013 Constitution with a focus on promoting the people’s rights as well as ensuring that all State power belongs to the people. In addition, it is necessary to enhance the role and efficiency of economic management of the State in accordance with the requirements of developing the socialist-oriented market economy.
The 70th anniversary the August Revolution and National Day provides a good opportunity for the whole nation to respectfully commemorate late President Ho Chi Minh who founded and educated the Communist Party of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh Thought coupled with Marxism-Leninism have always served as the foundation and guidelines for all activities undertaken by the Party and the Vietnamese revolution, especially the late President’s thoughts about Party building and the construction of the true state of the people, by the people and for the people. Party congresses are being held at all levels towards the 12th National Party Congress in early 2016. Resolution No. 4 relates to Party building and Instruction No. 3 promoting adherence to the moral example set by President Ho Chi Minh should continue to be implemented in a serious manner. Each Party member, each cadre must be deeply imbued with revolutionary morality to deserve the trust of the people.
The whole nation should unite as one under the leadership of the Party and determine to overcome all difficulties and challenges to successfully implement the Political Platform for the Transition to Socialism (which was supplemented in 2011), as well as fulfil the socio-economic tasks, extend international integration, and realise the goal of building Vietnam into a modern industrial country.
