From August Revolution’s legacy to Vietnam’s era of prosperity and progress

THE HANOI TIMES — From the legacy of the August Revolution and National Day, Vietnam draws renewed confidence in achieving remarkable feats in nation-building, development, and integration, steadily advancing into a new era of prosperity, progress, and civility.

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communications, Education, and Mass Mobilization Nguyen Trong Nghia shared this view at a national scientific conference on August 14, themed “The August Revolution and National Day, September 2: Contemporary Values and Enduring Vitality.”

In his opening remarks, Nghia recalled the years of preparation for the August Revolution, when the Party and people stood united. “Since its founding in 1930, the Communist Party of Vietnam steadfastly led the people through the revolutionary waves of 1930–1931, 1936–1939, and 1939–1945; built political and armed forces; educated and organized the masses; and established revolutionary bases, ready to seize the historic opportunity,” he said.

In August 1945, when Japan surrendered to the Allies, a “once-in-a-thousand-years” opportunity. Within just 15 days, under the Party and President Ho Chi Minh’s leadership, the entire nation rose in a General Uprising, broke the chains of slavery and seized power for the people.

On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Provisional Government, solemnly read the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming to the world: “Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and in fact has become a free and independent country…”

Speaking at the conference, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh affirmed that the August Revolution ushered in a new era in the nation’s history. From a state of bondage, the Vietnamese people became the masters of their land and their destiny.

Vietnam transformed from a backward feudal colony into an independent, democratic, and free nation.

“The revolution’s success and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam marked one of the most significant turning points in the country’s thousand-year history,” Binh said.

He stressed that the August Revolution was not only a historic victory for Vietnam but also carried profound international significance.

According to Binh, it dealt a major blow to the old colonial system worldwide and played a crucial role in igniting the global wave of national liberation.

In addition, the event inspired anti-colonial movements across Asia, Africa, and Latin America to rise for independence and was also a victory for the international communist and workers’ movements, as well as the global struggle for peace and social progress.

“The revolution proved that the 15-year-old Indochinese Communist Party could lead a successful revolution nationwide, demonstrating the power of revolutionary leadership of outstanding Vietnamese communists,” said Binh.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai called the August Revolution a landmark event of both global and historical significance. She noted that it inspired oppressed peoples worldwide and exemplified the strength of national unity, patriotism, courage, intellect, and resolve.

According to her, the victory was achieved through a correct revolutionary path, wise leadership, strategic foresight, and the ability to seize rare opportunities by harnessing national strength in concert with the spirit of the era.

“Hanoi takes pride in being both the starting point and the foundation for the success of the nationwide uprising,” Hoai said.

She recalled the image of hundreds of thousands gathering at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945, pledging together: “The entire Vietnamese people are determined to use all their spirit and strength, life and wealth, to maintain that freedom and independence.”

Alongside the rest of the country, Hanoians made countless sacrifices to protect the revolution’s achievements and to fulfill its lofty goals, independence for the nation, and freedom and happiness for the people, Hoai continued.

She stressed that today, Hanoi is facing new opportunities for rapid and sustainable development.

“The Party Committee, government, and people of the capital are determined to build a 'Cultured – Civilized – Modern' Hanoi, worthy of its role as the nation’s political-administrative center and a leading hub for economics, culture, education, science and technology, and international integration,” Hoai concluded.