Vietnam celebrates 50th anniversary of the victory of the war of resistance against US aggression

Massive celebrations were held in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) on April 30 marking the 50^th anniversary of the victory of the Vietnamese people’s war of resistance against US aggression, the liberation of the south and national reunification.

A grand parade also featured military contingents from China, Laos and Cambodia, representing the revolutionary fraternity with neighbouring  countries forged during the war.

On April 28, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Pei Jinjia, Minister of Veterans Affairs, who was leading a Chinese party and government delegation to attend the celebrations.

Chinh expressed his appreciation for the Chinese party and government sending Minister Pei to attend and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army personnel to join Vietnam’s grand parade at the celebration, describing the move as a vivid demonstration of China’s support for the important political event of Vietnam and of the high level of the Vietnam-China friendship.

He thanked China for its valuable support during Vietnam’s struggle for independence and national reunification, noting specific historical contributions, including the Yucai schools in Guilin and Nanning, which trained thousands of outstanding Vietnamese students, and the Nan Xishan Hospital in Guilin, which gave treatment to over 5,400 wounded Vietnamese soldiers. He also acknowledged China’s assistance in building major projects including the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Thuy loi University, the Ministry of Planning and Investment headquarters, and the Viet Tri Bridge.

Pei, for his part, congratulated Vietnam on its 50th reunification anniversary while expressing appreciation for the support that generations of Vietnamese revolutionary leaders have provided for China’s revolutionary cause.

Numerous other high-level delegations from around the world also attended the celebrations. They included:

• General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith

• Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party and President of the Cambodian Senate

• Salvador Valdes Mesa, Politburo member of the Communist Party of Cuba and Vice President of Cuba

• Secretary General of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) party  Chakil Aboobabcar

• Politburo member of the Popular Liberation Movement of Angola (MPLA) Jorge Inocencio Dombolo

• Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo

• Politburo member Bensalem Mohamed of the National Liberation Front (FLN) of Algeria and Algeria’s Minister of Mujahedeen and Rights Holders Laid Rebiga

• Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Ipatau Vadzim

• Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Germán Faría Tortosa

• Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke; and

• Party leaders from various countries, including Mongolia, Japan, the Dominican Republic and France

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) To Lam delivered an address at the national celebration. He described the 50^th anniversary as “the most brilliant milestone in the history of building and defending the country; marking the glorious end of the 30-year resilient struggle for independence, freedom, and reunification of the Fatherland; putting an end to the more-than-a-century domination of old and new colonialism; and bringing the country into a new era – the era of national independence and socialism.”

“In this sacred moment, we respectfully remember and express our boundless gratitude for the great contributions of beloved President Ho Chi Minh – the genius Leader of our Party and nation, the great teacher of the Vietnamese revolution, a hero of national liberation, a great man of culture, an outstanding soldier of the international communist and workers’ movements – with the burning desire to liberate the South and reunify the nation, with the faith in victory that ‘No matter how difficult or arduous, our people will definitely win. Our Fatherland will definitely be reunified. Compatriots of the North and the South will definitely be reunited under one roof’… We sincerely thank our brothers, comrades and international friends, progressive forces and peace-loving people around the world for their great, valuable, wholehearted, loyal, and steadfast support and assistance to the Vietnamese people’s cause of national liberation and reunification.”

To Lam noted that immediately after the success of the August Revolution in 1945 and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, “our people had to enter two long resistance wars to protect the country’s independence and unification. The resistance war against the French colonialists ended, and like many nations around the world, the Vietnamese people wished for a peaceful, independent and free life. However, the US imperialists quickly replaced the French colonialists, intervening in Vietnam, carrying out the plot to divide our country, and turning the South of our country into a new type of colony and an outpost to prevent communism in Southeast Asia and other progressive forces in the world. During the war of aggression against Vietnam, the US imperialists deployed a large number of soldiers with the most modern and sophisticated weapons, implemented many dangerous war strategies; carried out two brutal destructive wars against the North, causing a lot of pains and losses to the people in both regions of the country; and the consequences of the war still linger today.

“With a burning desire to safeguard national independence and reunification, and with the spirit of ‘Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom’, the entire Vietnamese people, from Nam Quan Pass to Ca Mau Cape, united to repel the invaders and everywhere marked the bravery, sacrifices and glorious feats of our army and people. With the iron will to ‘liberate the South, we are determined to move forward’, our army and people secured successive victories, dismantled the enemy step by step, and moved towards complete victory with the climax being the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, reuniting the country.

“The victory of the resistance war against the US for national salvation stemmed from the correct and creative leadership of the Party; from the people’s war policy, carried out through the strength of great national unity and international solidarity; from the combination of military, political and, diplomatic struggles and the art of seizing the right moment to concentrate forces for a general offensive and uprising; from the strength of the great rear base in the North supporting the major frontlines in the South, with the spirit: No grain of rice is lacking, no soldier is absent; cutting through Truong Son to save the nation; from the great, righteous, sincere and effective support and assistance of the Soviet Union, China and fraternal socialist countries; from the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia special solidarity; from peace-loving, progressive people and forces worldwide, including the progressive Americans. In particular, the Great Spring 1975 Victory strongly encouraged the national liberation movement of the world’s people for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress, opening the way for the collapse of neo-colonialism all over the world and marking a pivotal turning point in human history in the 20th century.”

He said that the Great Spring 1975 Victory left behind valuable lessons in both theory and practice for the revolutionary cause of the Party and nation:

• The lesson of promoting the strength of the people and the great national unity bloc, skillfully combining national strength with the strength of the times.

• The lesson of promoting to the highest degree the spirit of patriotism, national pride and self-esteem; the spirit of independence, self-reliance, bravery and resilience; the determination to fight and win of our entire Party, people and army.

• The lesson of holding high the banner of national independence and socialism, determining the correct path, suitable to the conditions and characteristics of the Vietnamese revolution.

• The lesson of creatively applying and developing revolutionary struggle methods and methods of carrying out all-people and all-out war; developing unique and creative theories of people’s war and military art; “using the few to fight the many”, “using benevolence to replace violence”.

• The lesson of firmly grasping, seizing opportunities and attacking rapidly, boldly, proactively, sensitively, flexibly, creatively and resolutely to carry out the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising to achieve complete victory.

• The lesson of benevolence, national reconciliation, putting the past behind and looking to the future after victory.

• But the greatest lesson, at the same time, the leading factor deciding the victory of the 1975 Spring Great Victory was to maintain the absolute leadership of the Party; to build a strong Party in all aspects; to enhance the leadership capacity and combat strength of the Party throughout the process of fighting for national liberation, national reunification and protecting the achievements of socialism.

Today, from a poor, backward nation devastated by the war and subjected to blockade and embargo, Vietnam has transformed into a developing country with near upper-middle income status, deeply integrated into the world politics, global economy, and human civilisation, taking on many international responsibilities and playing an active and positive role in various international organisations and important multilateral forums. The people’s living standards have significantly improved, with the poverty rate sharply declining to just 1.93% compared to more than 60% in 1986.

“To realise the aspiration to build a Vietnam ‘ten times better than today,’ we must liberate all productive forces, unleash all resources, and leverage all potential and strengths to strongly promote socio-economic development… Caring for the people and increasingly meeting their material and spiritual needs, especially for those in remote areas, border regions, islands, revolutionary base areas, and former resistance zones, have been the Party’s goals. We must focus on effectively implementing the policies of fairness, social progress, social security and social welfare as well as those for people who rendered service to the nation; implement the tuition exemption policy for all levels of general education; strive to complete the programme on eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses, accelerate the construction of social housing for low-income earners; and pay due attention to healthcare development and public health care, moving towards exempting hospital fees so that every Vietnamese citizen could truly have a secure, safe, free, prosperous and happy life.”

To Lam also published an article, ‘Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one’ to mark the occasion.

In it he described the victory of April 30, 1975, as “not only a great victory for the Vietnamese people in their arduous struggle against the US, but also a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, the will for independence, resilience, and the strength of the great national unity…. It was a victory of belief, the aspiration for independence, freedom, and national reunification; a victory of the strength of the great national unity under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam; a victory of the truth that ‘Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom’ and of the enduring patriotism, fighting spirit, and the eternal indomitable will of the Vietnamese people, along with progressive forces and peace-loving people worldwide.

“The April 30, 1975, victory was the result of the Vietnamese people’s unwavering determination to build a unified nation that could never be divided by any force. President Ho Chi Minh – the genius leader of the nation – affirmed the eternal truth: ‘Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one. Rivers may run dry, mountains may erode, but this truth shall never change’.

“The victory was not only a military triumph but also a crystallisation of the wisdom, mettle, and burning aspiration for lasting peace and the right to self-determination of a nation once colonised, divided, and oppressed. As Party General Secretary Le Duan once said, ‘That victory belonged not to any one individual, but to the entire Vietnamese people.’ And as poet To Huu wrote, ‘No pain belongs to just one person/ This triumph belongs to all of humanity’.

“The Great Spring 1975 Victory also left a powerful mark on the international stage, giving strong momentum to national liberation movements across Asia, Africa and Latin America. It encouraged nations to rise up against neo-colonialism and reclaim their right to freedom and independence. It was a triumph of justice over tyranny, an affirmation to the international community that even a small nation, armed with a just cause, unity, and unyielding will, and with the wholehearted support of international friends, progressive forces, and peace-loving people around the world, can defeat powers many times stronger.”

The Vietnamese leader recalled that for more than 30 years of resistance and nation-building, millions of the nation’s brave sons and daughters fought valiantly and sacrificed their lives. Countless families lost loved ones, villages and cities were devastated, and generations of young people had to set aside their dreams of education and future ambitions to take up arms to protect the Fatherland, swearing that ‘we shall not return until the enemy is defeated.’ Mothers bid farewell to their sons, wives to their husbands, sending them off to the battlefield, unsure if they would ever return. Children grew up amidst bombardment, learning to read in underground shelters, eating corn, sweet potatoes, and cassava instead of rice. Countless soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline conscripted labourers perished across the S-shaped land, from the special forces who fought within enemy lines to the militia and guerrilla fighters in villages, and the liberation soldiers who crossed the Ben Hai River and the Truong Son mountain range. All of them carried a strong belief: the Vietnamese people would reclaim the right to own the country, and the North and South would inevitably reunite as one.

He also delivered a powerful plea for national reunification and unity in the new era:

“For over a century, the Vietnamese people have gone through epic historical chapters, enduring countless pains and losses under colonial and feudal oppression, particularly during two fierce wars spanning more than three decades. War not only claimed millions of lives but also left profound physical, mental, economic, social, and environmental scars that continue to affect generations born after the gunfire ceased. There is no land in Vietnam that is free from pain; there is no family that has not suffered losses, and to this day, we are still dealing with the consequences of war, unexploded ordnance, and Agent Orange.

“But time, compassion, and forgiveness have helped our people gradually overcome pain, heal wounds, put the past behind us, respect differences, and look towards the future. After 50 years of national reunification, we now have enough mettle, confidence, pride, and tolerance to transcend our pain and look forward together so that the past war is no longer a divide between people of the same Lac Hong bloodline.

“On that journey of development, the policy of national reconciliation has consistently been identified by the Party and State as a long-term strategic choice and a pillar of the great national unity bloc. We understand the historical causes that led to war – from external intervention and division to schemes undermining solidarity and sowing hatred for political gain. But we also understand that all Vietnamese people – whether at home or abroad, regardless of which side they once stood on in history – share the same roots, language, and love for their homeland.

“National reconciliation does not mean forgetting the history or erasing differences, but accepting different perspectives in tolerance and respect, to work towards a greater goal: building a peaceful, unified, powerful, civilised, and prosperous Vietnam, so future generations will never have to witness war, separation, hatred, and loss as our ancestors did.

“We believe that all Vietnamese – regardless of where they live or what their past may be – can join hands and contribute to building a bright future for our nation. The Party and State consistently open arms, value all contributions, and listen to all constructive and united voices from overseas Vietnamese communities – those who help connect Vietnam with the world.

“More than anyone, today’s generation understands that independence and reunification were not an end, but rather the beginning of a new journey: the journey of building a country of peace, prosperity, civilisation, development, and permanence. If previous generations etched into history the truth that ‘Vietnam is one nation, and the Vietnamese people are one’ through immense sacrifice and loss, then it falls to today’s generation to transform that ideal into a driving force for development, and into wings with which the nation soars in this new era.”

The following articles were originally published by Nhân Dân.

PM receives Chinese Minister of Veterans Affairs

April 28 (Nhân Dân) — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on April 28 for Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia, who is leading a Chinese Government delegation to attend Vietnam’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975–2025).

At the event, PM Chinh expressed his appreciation for the Chinese Party and Government sending Minister Pei to attend and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army personnel to join Vietnam’s grand parade at the celebration, describing the move as a vivid demonstration of China’s support for the important political event of Vietnam and of the high level of the Vietnam – China friendship.

He thanked China for its valuable support during Vietnam’s struggle for independence and national reunification, noting specific historical contributions including the Yucai schools in Guilin and Nanning, which trained thousands of outstanding Vietnamese students, and the Nan Xishan Hospital in Guilin, which gave treatment to over 5,400 wounded Vietnamese soldiers. He also acknowledged China’s assistance in building major projects including the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Thuy loi University, the Ministry of Planning and Investment headquarters, and Viet Tri Bridge.

Briefing the guest on the robust relations between the two Parties and States over the recent past, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam consistently sees consolidating and developing the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China as an objective requirement, strategic choice, and top priority in Vietnam’s overall foreign policy.

He expressed his hope for the continued implementation of the common perceptions reached between the top leaders of the two Parties and countries during General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Government leader also said he hopes that the Chinese Ministry of Veterans Affairs will bolster cooperation with Vietnamese agencies to raise public awareness of the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Pei, for his part, congratulated Vietnam on its 50th reunification anniversary while expressing appreciation for the support that generations of Vietnamese revolutionary leaders have provided for China’s revolutionary cause.

The Chinese Minister affirmed that Vietnam remains a priority in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy and expressed desire to work with relevant Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and localities to effectively implement the high-level common perceptions, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and preserve revolutionary heritage sites.

The moves will contribute to the Vietnam – China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the building of a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, he said.

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Party chief’s address at national celebration of liberation of South and national reunification

April 30 (Nhân Dân) — General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) To Lam delivered an address at the national celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30.

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) respectfully introduces a translation of the address.

ADDRESS BY PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY TO LAM

At the National Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification

Dear leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front, Dear revolutionary veterans, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, Heroes of Labour, generals, officers, veterans, families with meritorious service to the nation, Dear international guests, Dear delegates, comrades, compatriots, soldiers nationwide and the Vietnamese community abroad.

Today, in the heroic atmosphere of the historic April 30, in the heroic city named after beloved President Ho Chi Minh, with great excitement and pride, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the State President, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front solemnly organise a ceremony to celebrate the “50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification” – the most brilliant milestone in the history of building and defending the country; marking the glorious end of the 30-year resilient struggle for independence, freedom, and reunification of the Fatherland; putting an end to the more-than-a-century domination of old and new colonialism; and bringing the country into a new era – the era of national independence and socialism.

On behalf of leaders of the Party, the State and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, I warmly welcome and would like to extend my respectful greetings, warm regards, and best wishes to leaders, former leaders of the Party, the State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, revolutionary veterans, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, and Heroes of Labour; generals, officers, soldiers, veterans, militiamen, guerrillas, youth volunteers, frontline workers, families with meritorious service to the country, international guests, all compatriots and comrades nationwide, overseas Vietnamese, and the Party Organisation, administration, and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

In this sacred moment, we respectfully remember and express our boundless gratitude for the great contributions of beloved President Ho Chi Minh – the genius Leader of our Party and nation, the great teacher of the Vietnamese revolution, a hero of national liberation, a great man of culture, an outstanding soldier of the international communist and workers’ movements – with the burning desire to liberate the South and reunify the nation, with the faith in victory that “No matter how difficult or arduous, our people will definitely win. Our Fatherland will definitely be reunified. Compatriots of the North and the South will definitely be reunited under one roof”.

We will forever remember and be grateful for the great contributions of revolutionary leaders, martyrs, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, generations of cadres, generals, officers, soldiers, militiamen, guerrillas, youth volunteers, frontline workers, wounded and sick soldiers, families of martyrs, families with meritorious service to the revolution, veterans, and the entire people’s armed forces and people across the country as well as overseas Vietnamese, who devoted and sacrificed their lives for the cause of completely liberating the South and reunifying the country.

We sincerely thank our brothers, comrades and international friends, progressive forces and peace-loving people around the world for their great, valuable, wholehearted, loyal, and steadfast support and assistance to the Vietnamese people’s cause of national liberation and reunification.

Dear comrades, compatriots and delegates,

Immediately after the success of the August Revolution in 1945 and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, our people had to enter two long resistance wars to protect the country’s independence and unification. The resistance war against the French colonialists ended, and like many nations around the world, the Vietnamese people wished for a peaceful, independent and free life. However, the US imperialists quickly replaced the French colonialists, intervening in Vietnam, carrying out the plot to divide our country, and turning the South of our country into a new type of colony and an outpost to prevent communism in Southeast Asia and other progressive forces in the world. During the war of aggression against Vietnam, the US imperialists deployed a large number of soldiers with the most modern and sophisticated weapons, implemented many dangerous war strategies; carried out two brutal destructive wars against the North, causing a lot of pains and losses to the people in both regions of the country; and the consequences of the war still linger today.

In the face of countless difficulties, challenges, hardships and fierceness, we inherited and promoted our ancestors’ glorious tradition in fighting against foreign invaders, summarised valuable lessons in the prolonged resistance war against the French colonialists, with the mettle and clear-sighted brainpower, and by harnessing the strength of the people and the great national unity bloc, while maximising the support and assistance of international friends, progressive forces and peace-loving people in the world. Our Party and President Ho Chi Minh led our army and people to simultaneously carry out two strategic tasks: The socialist revolution in the North and the people’s national democratic revolution in the South, resolutely driving away the invaders.

With a burning desire to safeguard national independence and reunification, and with the spirit of “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”, the entire Vietnamese people, from Nam Quan Pass to Ca Mau Cape, united to repel the invaders and everywhere marked the bravery, sacrifices and glorious feats of our army and people. With the iron will to “liberate the South, we are determined to move forward”, our army and people secured successive victories, dismantled the enemy step by step, and moved towards complete victory with the climax being the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, reuniting the country.

Time will pass, but the victory of our people in the resistance war against the US for national salvation will forever be recorded in the nation’s history as a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, a victory of justice, a victory of Vietnamese mettle, spirit and intelligence; a victory of ardent patriotism and the aspiration for independence, freedom and national reunification, with the truth “Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one”, a milestone affirming that our entire Party, people and army had realised the most earnest wishes and instructions of Uncle Ho, completing the cause of completely liberating the South, reunifying the country, and bringing the North and the South together as one family.

The victory of the resistance war against the US for national salvation stemmed from the correct and creative leadership of the Party; from the people’s war policy, carried out through the strength of great national unity and international solidarity; from the combination of military, political and, diplomatic struggles and the art of seizing the right moment to concentrate forces for a general offensive and uprising; from the strength of the great rear base in the North supporting the major frontlines in the South, with the spirit: No a grain of rice is lacking, no soldier is absent; cutting through Truong Son to save the nation; from the great, righteous, sincere and effective support and assistance of the Soviet Union, China and fraternal socialist countries; from the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia special solidarity; from peace-loving, progressive people and forces worldwide, including the progressive Americans. In particular, the Great Spring 1975 Victory strongly encouraged the national liberation movement of the world’s people for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress, opening the way for the collapse of neo-colonialism all over the world and marking a pivotal turning point in human history in the 20th century.

Along with its epochal significance, the Great Spring 1975 Victory left behind valuable lessons in both theory and practice for the revolutionary cause of our Party and nation. These are (1) The lesson of promoting the strength of the people and the great national unity bloc, skillfully combining national strength with the strength of the times; (2) The lesson of promoting to the highest degree the spirit of patriotism, national pride and self-esteem; the spirit of independence, self-reliance, bravery and resilience; the determination to fight and win of our entire Party, people and army; (3) The lesson of holding high the banner of national independence and socialism, determining the correct path, suitable to the conditions and characteristics of the Vietnamese revolution; (4) The lesson of creatively applying and developing revolutionary struggle methods and methods of carrying out all-people and all-out war; developing unique and creative theories of people’s war and military art; “using the few to fight the many”, “using benevolence to replace violence” (5) The lesson of firmly grasping, seizing opportunities and attacking rapidly, boldly, proactively, sensitively, flexibly, creatively and resolutely to carry out the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising to achieve complete victory. (6) The lesson of benevolence, national reconciliation, putting the past behind and looking to the future after victory. (7) But the greatest lesson, at the same time, the leading factor deciding the victory of the 1975 Spring Great Victory was to maintain the absolute leadership of the Party; to build a strong Party in all aspects; to enhance the leadership capacity and combat strength of the Party throughout the process of fighting for national liberation, national reunification and protecting the achievements of socialism.

Dear comrades, compatriots, and distinguished delegates,

Upholding the valuable lessons from the victory of the resistance war against the US for national salvation, under the leadership of the Party, our entire people and army joined forces to recover, rebuild, construct and develop the country in accordance with Uncle Ho’s final wishes: “My ultimate desire is that our entire Party and people to unite and strive to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Vietnam, and make worthy contributions to the world revolutionary cause.” After 50 years of national reunification and nearly 40 years of implementing the Doi moi (renewal) policy, our country have overcome numerous difficulties and challenges to achieve monumental accomplishments of historical significance, creating the foundation, potential, position and international prestige as today. From a poor, backward nation devastated by the war and subjected to blockade and embargo, Vietnam has transformed into a developing country with near upper-middle income status, deeply integrated into the world politics, global economy, and human civilisation, taking on many international responsibilities and playing an active and positive role in various international organisations and important multilateral forums. The country’s independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity have been firmly maintained while national interests have been secured. The size of the economy in 2024 ranked 32nd in the world and stood among the top 20 economies in terms of trade and foreign investment attraction. The people’s living standards have significantly improved, with the poverty rate sharply declining to just 1.93% (according to multidimensional standards) compared to more than 60% in 1986. Economic, political, cultural, social, scientific-technological, national defence and security potential has been increasingly consolidated. Foreign relations have been expanded while the country’s position and prestige have been constantly enhanced. To date, Vietnam has established diplomatic ties with 194 countries which are members of the United Nations, and built cooperative relations, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive strategic partnerships with all major powers in the world, including the US, with 2025 marking the 30th founding anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations.

Dear comrades, compatriots, and distinguished delegates,

Half a century has passed and with the obtained great achievements, we are now standing at a new historical starting point to help the country to rise up, take off, and “stand shoulder to shoulder with powers across the five continents.” To realise the aspiration to build a Vietnam “ten times better than today,” we must liberate all productive forces, unleash all resources, and leverage all potential and strengths to strongly promote socio-economic development. In 2025, we strive to achieve economic growth of at least 8% and double-digit growth in the 2026-2030 period, are determined to successfully implement the strategic goals of becoming a developing country with upper-middle-income and modern industry by 2030 and a developed, socialist-oriented nation with high income by 2045. The focus must be placed on resolving institutional development bottlenecks; adjusting the economic space, expanding the development space, increasing decentralisation and delegation of authority, allocating and combining economic resources; establishing a new growth model, with science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the main driving forces, to create dramatic transformations in productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of the economy, identifying the private sector as the most important driving force of the national economy. Besides, we must continue making breakthroughs in mindset and methods to create new productivity, new productive forces, and new quality.

Being proud of the nation’s glorious historical traditions, with infinite gratitude for the great contributions and sacrifice of soldiers and compatriots across the country, we are increasingly aware of our responsibility to fulfill Uncle Ho’s final instructions before he passed away: “The Party must have a good plan to develop the economy and culture, aiming to continuously improve the people’s lives.” Caring for the people and increasingly meeting their material and spiritual needs, especially for those in remote areas, border regions, islands, revolutionary base areas, and former resistance zones, have been the Party’s goals. We must focus on effectively implementing the policies of fairness, social progress, social security and social welfare as well as those for people who rendered service to the nation; implement the tuition exemption policy for all levels of general education; strive to complete the programme on eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses, accelerate the construction of social housing for low-income earners; and pay due attention to healthcare development and public health care, moving towards exempting hospital fees so that every Vietnamese citizen could truly have a secure, safe, free, prosperous and happy life.

Deeply aware of the incomparable great strength of the people and the great national solidarity bloc of Vietnam, we thoroughly grasp and consistently implement the viewpoint that “people are the root”, people are the centre, the subject, the purpose of the process of national construction, development and protection. It is necessary to strongly implement the policy of national harmony and reconciliation with the spirit that we all have the blood of Lac Hong, are all brothers and sisters, “like trees of the same root, like children of the same family”. All Vietnamese people are citizens of Vietnam, all have the right to live, work, the right to freely pursue happiness and love in the homeland, all have the right and responsibility to contribute to building the Fatherland. With the policy of closing the past, respecting differences, looking towards the future, our entire Party, people and army together strive to build a peaceful, unified, happy, prosperous and developed Vietnam.

As a nation that experienced countless pains and losses due to the wars in the past and also a nation that has enjoyed great benefits from peace and friendly cooperation in recent decades, Vietnam earnestly desires to work with the international community to build a future of peace, prosperity, solidarity and development. Let us do all we can today, with the desire to leave to future generations not only a better world, but also the faith and admiration for the sense of responsibility and wisdom of today’s generation. We will continue to deepen our friendly and cooperative relations with countries around the world; promote the implementation of the motto “Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community”; innovate mechanisms and policies, create all favourable conditions for international friends and the Vietnamese community abroad, those who carry Vietnamese cultural identity, have grown up in developed countries, have expertise and management skills, and have extensive international connections, to participate in activities to promote socio-economic development in Vietnam. The 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification is also a historic moment for all Vietnamese people, all classes of people, compatriots of all ethnic groups and religions, Party members and all people at home and overseas Vietnamese, millions of people as one, to unite, join hands, and turn towards the Fatherland for the goal of building a strong, prosperous, civilised and happy Vietnam.

In the context of the complicated world situation, as a nation that has suffered many losses and pains due to the wars, deeply understanding the precious values of peace, independence and freedom, we need to continue to strengthen and modernise national defence and security, build all-people national defence for peace and self-defence, firmly safeguard the Fatherland “early”, “from afar”, and “protect the country when it is not yet in danger”. We must build and promote the “people-based position”, firmly consolidate the all-people defence position and the people’s security position. It is necessary to build the revolutionary, disciplined, elite and modern People’s Army and People’s Public Security, which are the core forces to firmly protect the Fatherland’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, making them the “precious sword” and “shield” to protect the Party, State, people and safeguard the regime, always a solid mainstay for the people.

Proud of the glorious Party and the great achievements of our army and people under the Party’s leadership, we must strive to build a clean, strong and comprehensive Party so that the Party is truly “moral and civilised”, representing the intelligence, honour and conscience of the nation and the era, worthy of the trust, choice and expectations of the people. We must continue to innovate the Party’s leadership, governance and combat strength; successfully carry out the revolution in reorganising the apparatus of the political system, reorganising administrative units to make them more streamlined, efficient and effective. We must build and gradually perfect the mechanism of power control, resolutely push back corruption, wastefulness, negative phenomena and bureaucracy; and build a contingent of cadres at all levels, especially strategic cadres and leaders with sufficient qualities, intelligence, dedication and efforts, who dare to think, dare to do, and dare to take responsibility for the interests of the country and the people.

Dear compatriots, comrades, and distinguished delegates,

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification; welcoming International Workers’ Day on May 1, the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh, and other important events in 2025, on behalf of the leaders of the Party, the State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, I once again sincerely thank all compatriots, comrades, those who have sacrificed themselves for the country; thank the people, peace-loving friends, and progressive forces around the world who have supported and helped the Vietnamese people in the past struggle for national liberation, as well as in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland at present.

Promoting the spirit of the Great 1975 Spring Victory, and the achievements of the four decades of Doi moi (renewal), our entire Party, people, and army are striving with determination to successfully accomplish the five-year socio-economic development plan for the 2021–2025 period, and to achieve further outstanding accomplishments to welcome the upcoming Party Congresses at all levels, in the lead up to the 14th National Party Congress. With the mettle, intelligence, and strength of Vietnam, we secured the historic Great Spring Victory; and we are firmly confident that we will continue to attain even greater victories and remarkable achievements in the new era of prosperity, civilisation, and national rise, building our country that is “more dignified and beautiful”, standing shoulder to shoulder with the powers of the five continents, fulfilling the aspirations of President Ho Chi Minh and of the entire nation.

The spirit of the Great Victory of Spring 1975 is immortal!

Long live the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam!

Long live the Socialist Republic of Vietnam!

Eternal glory belongs to the people!

Great President Ho Chi Minh lives forever in our cause!

I respectfully thank you all.

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Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one: Party chief

April 27 (Nhân Dân) — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam has described the victory on April 30, 1975 as a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, the will for independence, resilience, and the strength of the great national unity.

In his recent article, titled “Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one,” the Party chief stressed that the victory was the result of the Vietnamese people’s unwavering determination to build a unified nation that could never be divided by any force.

The following is a translation of his article.

Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one

To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee

The moment the liberation flag flew atop the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975, became a monumental event in the nation’s history — marking the complete liberation of the South and national reunification. It was not only a great victory for the Vietnamese people in their arduous struggle against the US, but also a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, the will for independence, resilience, and the strength of the great national unity.

The aspiration for a peaceful, unified, and independent Vietnam has been a sacred flame, forging the national spirit throughout thousands of years. From the time of the Hung Kings founding the nation to the present day, through numerous struggles to defend the country, patriotism and national spirit have remained the lodestar running through the nation’s history. Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, this aspiration has been an incomparable spiritual force, inspiring the people across all walks of life to unite as one, overcoming every hardship and challenge to reclaim independence in 1945, expel colonialists in 1954, and reunify the country in 1975.

The victory of a heroic nation

The victory on April 30, 1975, not only marked the end of the longest and fiercest war in the modern Vietnamese history, but also became a brilliant milestone in the journey of national construction and defence. It was a victory of belief, the aspiration for independence, freedom, and national reunification; a victory of the strength of the great national unity under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam; a victory of the truth that “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom” and of the enduring patriotism, fighting spirit, and the eternal indomitable will of the Vietnamese people, along with progressive forces and peace-loving people worldwide.

The April 30, 1975 victory was the result of the Vietnamese people’s unwavering determination to build a unified nation that could never be divided by any force. President Ho Chi Minh – the genius leader of the nation – affirmed the eternal truth: “Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one. Rivers may run dry, mountains may erode, but this truth shall never change”.

His words were not only a sacred declaration of sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also a guiding light and a source of inspiration, providing strength to all generations of the Vietnamese people throughout the years of harsh and brutal warfare. The victory on April 30, 1975 stands as a living testament to the era’s philosophy: “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”.

The victory was not only a military triumph but also a crystallisation of the wisdom, mettle, and burning aspiration for lasting peace and the right to self-determination of a nation once colonised, divided, and oppressed. As Party General Secretary Le Duan once said “That victory belonged not to any one individual, but to the entire Vietnamese people.” And as poet To Huu wrote, “No pain belongs to just one person/ This triumph belongs to all of humanity”.

The Great Spring 1975 Victory also left a powerful mark on the international stage, giving strong momentum to national liberation movements across Asia, Africa and Latin America. It encouraged nations to rise up against neo-colonialism and reclaim their right to freedom and independence. It was a triumph of justice over tyranny, an affirmation to the international community that even a small nation, armed with a just cause, unity, and unyielding will, and with the wholehearted support of international friends, progressive forces, and peace-loving people around the world, can defeat powers many times stronger.

The will and aspiration for national reunification

Throughout 30 years of protracted resistance wars against colonialists and imperialists (1945–1975), the Vietnamese people endured immense hardships, sacrifices, and losses, yet their will for an independent and unified Vietnam was never shaken.

In his call on National Day, September 2, 1955, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “Vietnam will certainly be reunified, as our country is an indivisible whole, and no one can divide it.” In a letter to all Vietnamese people in 1956, he wrote: “Reunifying the nation is the lifeline of our people.” During the most intense and brutal phase of the anti-US resistance war, on July 17, 1966, he firmly declared: “The war may last five years, 10 years, 20 years, or even longer. Hanoi, Hai Phong, and some cities and factories may be devastated. But the Vietnamese people will never be afraid! Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom. When victory comes, our people will rebuild our country, stronger and more beautiful than ever before.” And indeed, under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and our Party, the Vietnamese army and people overcame countless difficulties, step by step defeating modern warfare strategies, with unwavering faith in the power of justice and the spirit of national independence.

President Ho Chi Minh’s “Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one” declaration is not only a truth and a strategic direction but also a command from the heart of the entire nation. Amid the flames of war, these words became a tremendous source of strength, inspiring millions of Vietnamese to step onto the battlefield with the resolve of “sacrificing for the country to survive”. His words were a sacred call, a symbol of unwavering determination to overcome all pain and hardship, in order to gain independence and freedom for the nation, reunify the country, and bring prosperity and happiness to the people.

For more than 30 years of resistance and nation-building, millions of the nation’s brave sons and daughters fought valiantly and sacrificed their lives. Countless families lost loved ones, villages and cities were devastated, and generations of young people had to set aside their dreams of education and future ambitions to take up arms to protect the Fatherland, swearing that “we shall not return until the enemy is defeated.” Mothers bid farewell to their sons, wives to their husbands, sending them off to the battlefield, unsure if they would ever return. Children grew up amidst bombardment, learning to read in underground shelters, eating corn, sweet potatoes, and cassava instead of rice. Countless soldiers, youth volunteers, and frontline conscripted labourers perished across the S-shaped land, from the special forces who fought within enemy lines to the militia and guerrilla fighters in villages, and the liberation soldiers who crossed the Ben Hai River and the Truong Son mountain range. All of them carried a strong belief: the Vietnamese people would reclaim the right to own the country, and the North and South would inevitably reunite as one.

The victory of April 30, 1975 was the achievement crystallised from the ideals and iron will of a nation who would never be subjdued, the blood and sacrifice of millions of Vietnamese people, the love of the homeland, mettle and confidence in victory, and determination to never retreat.

A full half-century has passed since the day our country was reunified, the resonance of that triumphant moment still echoes in the soul of the Vietnamese nation. On this momentous anniversary, we respectfully commemorate our beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the genius leader of our Party and people, the great teacher of the Vietnamese revolution, the hero of national liberation, a world cultural celebrity, and an outstanding soldier of the international communist movement, and the person who laid the ideological foundation for the cause of national liberation and unification. We express our gratitude to and remember the Party’s predecessors, heroic martyrs, intellectuals, compatriots and soldiers in every region of the Fatherland who bravely fought and sacrificed their lives for that noble ideal. Today and future generations of the Vietnamese people will forever bear in mind the great contributions and sacrifices for national independence, for the people’s happiness and prosperity, and for the enduring prosperity and development of our nation.

We express our profound gratitude to international friends – progressive forces, fraternal socialist countries, humanitarian organisations, and peace-loving people around the world – who accompanied and supported Vietnam throughout years of struggle for national liberation, as well as in post-war nation reconstruction and development. These sincere, wholehearted and selfless sentiments and support will forever be treasured and cherished by and etched in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.

Half a century of recovery, healing, and development

For over a century, the Vietnamese people have gone through epic historical chapters, enduring countless pains and losses under colonial and feudal oppression, particularly during two fierce wars spanning more than three decades. War not only claimed millions of lives but also left profound physical, mental, economic, social, and environmental scars that continue to affect generations born after the gunfire ceased. There is no land in Vietnam that is free from pain; there is no family that has not suffered losses, and to this day, we are still dealing with the consequences of war, unexploded ordnance, and Agent Orange.

But time, compassion, and forgiveness have helped our people gradually overcome pain, heal wounds, put the past behind us, respect differences, and look towards the future. After 50 years of national reunification, we now have enough mettle, confidence, pride, and tolerance to transcend our pain and look forward together so that the past war is no longer a divide between people of the same Lac Hong bloodline.

On that journey of development, the policy of national reconciliation has consistently been identified by the Party and State as a long-term strategic choice and a pillar of the great national unity bloc. We understand the historical causes that led to war – from external intervention and division to schemes undermining solidarity and sowing hatred for political gain. But we also understand that all Vietnamese people – whether at home or abroad, regardless of which side they once stood on in history – share the same roots, language, and love for their homeland.

Over the past years, during my working trips across nearly all continents, I have had many opportunities to meet thousands of Vietnamese living overseas – from young intellectuals establishing their careers in Europe, America, Asia, and Oceania to successful entrepreneurs, renowned artists, and ordinary workers in “new lands,” including many who were formerly on “the other side.” Each meeting left a profound impression on me: despite potential differences in political views, historical experiences, or living conditions, they all carry national pride, are Vietnamese people, and have a deep nostalgia for the homeland.

I witnessed many moving reunions between Vietnamese veterans and American veterans – people who once stood on opposite sides of the battlefield and once held guns against each other, but are now able to shake hands, talk, and share with each other with sincere understanding and without lingering inferiority. Today, Vietnam and the US – former enemies – have become comprehensive strategic partners, cooperating for peace, for the benefit of both nations’ people, and for regional security and stability. There is no reason for the Vietnamese people – sharing the same bloodline, all children of Mother Au Co, always yearning for a unified and prosperous country – to continue carrying hatred, division, and separation in their hearts.

National reconciliation does not mean forgetting the history or erasing differences, but accepting different perspectives in tolerance and respect, to work towards a greater goal: building a peaceful, unified, powerful, civilised, and prosperous Vietnam, so future generations will never have to witness war, separation, hatred, and loss as our ancestors did.

We believe that all Vietnamese – regardless of where they live or what their past may be – can join hands and contribute to building a bright future for our nation. The Party and State consistently open arms, value all contributions, and listen to all constructive and united voices from overseas Vietnamese communities – those who help connect Vietnam with the world.

We cannot rewrite history, but we can shape up our future. The past is to remember, to be grateful for, and to learn lessons from. The future is for building, creating, and developing together. That is the honorable promise of today’s generation to those who laid down their lives, as well as the common aspiration of a nation that has endured great suffering, yet has never been defeated.

Fifty years ago, the Vietnamese people wrote a brilliant epic with iron will and unwavering courage – a symphony of will, determination, unity, and peace. Half a century later, they continue to write a new epic – a symphony of innovation, integration, development, and the powerful will to rise strongly in the 21st century. In the past, no genuine Vietnamese wanted their country to be divided. Today, certainly no genuine Vietnamese do not wish for their country to grow stronger and more prosperously, standing shoulder to shoulder with great powers across the five continents.

Looking ahead – continuing, building, innovating and advancing

More than anyone, today’s generation understands that independence and reunification were not an end, but rather the beginning of a new journey: the journey of building a country of peace, prosperity, civilisation, development, and permanence. If previous generations etched into history the truth that “Vietnam is one nation, and the Vietnamese people are one” through immense sacrifice and loss, then it falls to today’s generation to transform that ideal into a driving force for development, and into wings with which the nation soars in this new era.

The spirit of national reunification – once steadfast and unbreakable belief and will that enabled the country to overcome hardship, challenges, and bombardment – must now evolve into political determination, a will to innovate, and concrete action, in a bid to defend independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, foster economic growth, and improve the material and spiritual lives of the people. It is imperative to make every Vietnamese, no matter where they are or what they do, feel proud of their country and confident in its future, and have the opportunity to contribute to its overall development.

In a rapidly changing and unpredictable world, Vietnam must maintain steadfast resolve and clear-headedness, refusing to be swept into geopolitical turbulence or caught unprepared by international conflicts. Every major turning point in world history can either become an opportunity or pose a grave challenge for smaller nations, depending on the strength or weakness of their internal foundations. The Vietnamese people, perhaps more than any other, deeply understand the devastating consequences of war. We are a nation that cherishes peace, never seeks war, and would do everything possible to prevent war. Yet, if “the enemy forces us to take up arms,” we shall once again emerge victorious. More than ever, it is vital for us to build a self-reliant, resilient economy; a modern, comprehensive system of national defence and security involving the whole population; an elite, streamlined, efficient, and effective political system; and a developed, united, cultured and humane society.

To achieve this, we must harness the intellect and strength of the entire nation, including the Vietnamese community abroad – an inseparable part of the great national unity bloc. In this digital age, an era of global connectivity, every Vietnamese person across the five continents can contribute to national construction through their knowledge, creativity, patriotism, and the sense of civic responsibility.

The new era we are stepping toward – characterised by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green economy, and sustainable development – demands new thinking, new development models, and a new generation of people. Ahead of us lie numerous challenges regarding institution, labour productivity, the quality of human resources, environmental security, diseases, climate change, and non-traditional security threats. Yet history has shown that the Vietnamese nation has never shrunk from hardship, adversity, or challenge. The question is whether we have the courage to embrace change, the will to rise, and the unity to turn difficulties into a driving force for development.

Today’s generation – from officials, Party members, civil servants and public employees to workers, farmers, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, pupils, students, and people from all walks of life – all descendants of the Dragon and Fairy – must deeply understand that we are the inheritors of a magnificent legacy left by our forebears, and that we bear the responsibility of bringing honour to our nation in this new era. Every action we take today must be worthy of the blood and sacrifice of past generations, and of the immense losses endured by the entire nation.

We must not allow our country to fall behind. We must not allow our nation to miss its opportunities. We must not allow history’s cycles to repeat themselves. Therefore, the interests of the nation and the people must always come first. We must act for the long-term future, not for short-term achievements. It is imperative to steadfastly defend independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to maintain a peaceful, stable environment. At the same time, we must boldly innovate in our thinking about development, push forward with administrative reforms, build a rule-of-law socialist state and a socialist-oriented market economy under state management and the Party leadership, and construct a modern socialist society.

Looking ahead, we have every reason to take pride and place our trust in the intrinsic strength of the Vietnamese nation – a people who have time and again triumphed over foreign invasion, risen from the ashes of war, and affirmed their place in history and before the world. With a thousand-year tradition of building and defending the country, an unrelenting aspiration for progress, and a young generation that is talented, ambitious, patriotic, creative, and full of resolve – Vietnam is certain to succeed.

The twenty-first century is the one of the nations that can master their own destiny. And the Vietnamese nation – armed with all the lessons of its past and the unity it forges today – will undoubtedly continue to write new glorious chapters in its journey of development. All is for an independent, free, happy, prosperous, civilised, and thriving Vietnam with stature and a strong voice in the international community.