Respect differences and look to the future: Party Chief

THE HANOI TIMES — National interests must always come first, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam stated ahead of the National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975-2025).

He stressed that Vietnam must not fall behind, miss opportunities, or repeat the vicious cycles of history.  

The Party leader emphasized this point in his article entitled "Vietnam is One, the Vietnamese Nation is One" published on April 27.

He said that the moment the liberation flag was raised on the roof of the Palace of Independence on the afternoon of April 30, 1975, was a historic event, signifying the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country.

According to the General Secretary, during the 30 years of resistance against the colonialists and imperialists from 1945 to 1975, despite immense hardships and sacrifices, the will for an independent and unified Vietnam never wavered. Millions of outstanding sons and daughters of the nation fought bravely and sacrificed their lives. Countless families suffered loss, and many villages and towns were devastated.

He recalled moving images of mothers bidding farewell to their children, wives seeing their husbands off to the front, and young children growing up amid bombs and gunfire. He also spoke of urban commandos, guerrilla fighters, soldiers, youth volunteers, and supply workers on the firing line, all of them with a fierce faith in the future unification of the nation.

"The April 30 Victory was the crystallization of the ideals and unyielding spirit of a people that would never be subdued," Secretary General To Lam asserted. "It was born out of the blood and bones of millions of Vietnamese, out of love for the motherland, out of resilience, out of faith in victory, and out of unwavering determination to never back down."

Half a century of reconciliation

He reflected that for more than a century, the Vietnamese people had endured immense suffering under colonial and feudal oppression. It was especially during more than three decades of brutal warfare that not only claimed millions of lives but also left deep scars on the physical, mental, economic, social, and environmental well-being of the nation. The scars that continue to afflict generations born after peace was restored. Every part of Vietnam bears the scars of that suffering, and nearly every family carries memories of loss. Even today, Vietnam continues to deal with the lingering effects of the war, including unexploded ordnance and Agent Orange contamination.

But with time, compassion, and forgiveness, the nation has gradually healed, overcome its pain, and moved forward, embracing respect for differences and a shared vision for the future.

"Fifty years after reunification, we now have confidence, pride, and magnanimity to move beyond grief and look to the future together," he wrote. "The war of the past no longer divides those who share the same blood of Lac Hong."

The general secretary emphasized that the Party and the State have always regarded national reconciliation as a long-term strategic choice and an important pillar of national unity.

He pointed out that the historical causes of the war included foreign intervention and deliberate efforts to divide and sow hatred for political purposes. However, every Vietnamese, whether living at home or abroad, regardless of past circumstances, shares the same origin, language, and love for the motherland.

Lam said that during his visits to almost every continent, he has met thousands of overseas Vietnamese, from young intellectuals starting their careers in Europe, America, Asia, and Oceania, to successful entrepreneurs, renowned artists, and ordinary workers. Many had been on the "other side" in the past. Yet despite political differences, life experiences, or living conditions, all expressed a deep pride in their Vietnamese heritage and a longing for their homeland

He has also witnessed many emotional reunions between Vietnamese and American war veterans. Once enemies on the battlefield, they now shake hands, talk to each other, and share a genuine understanding without resentment. Today, Vietnam and the United States have become comprehensive strategic partners.

"If former enemies can reconcile, then there is no reason why the Vietnamese people, who share the same blood of Mother Au Co, should continue to harbor resentment and division," he said. He added that national reconciliation does not mean forgetting history or erasing differences. Rather, it means embracing different perspectives in a spirit of tolerance and respect to work together toward the greater goal of building a peaceful, united, powerful, civilized, and prosperous Vietnam. This will ensure that future generations will never again experience war, division, hatred, or loss.

The general secretary expressed his belief that every Vietnamese, wherever they live and whatever their past, can walk together and contribute to building a bright future for the nation. He assured that the Party and the State will always extend a welcoming hand, value every contribution, and listen to every constructive voice from the overseas Vietnamese community that helps connect Vietnam to the world.

"We cannot rewrite history, but we can chart a new future," he wrote. "The past must be remembered, honored, and learned from. The future must be built together and shaped by creativity and development. This is the solemn promise of today's generation to those who have fallen, and the common aspiration of a people who have endured much pain but never surrendered."

He stressed that in the past, no true Vietnamese wanted the nation to be divided, and today, no true Vietnamese wants anything less than a strong and prosperous country standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's great powers.

Looking forward

General Secretary To Lam emphasized that independence and reunification are not the final destination, but the starting point for a new journey. He called on the current generation to build a peaceful, prosperous, civilized, and eternal Vietnam. "If previous generations engraved the truth that 'Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese nation is one' with their sacrifices and losses," he wrote, "then today's generation must transform this ideal into a driving force for progress and a pair of wings to soar in the new era."

In a rapidly changing and unpredictable global environment, Vietnam must remain steadfast and vigilant. It must avoid entanglement in geopolitical whirlpools and passivity amid international conflicts. He stressed that every turning point in world affairs presents either great opportunities or daunting challenges for smaller nations, depending on how well they prepare their internal strength.

"More than ever, we must build a self-reliant and resilient economy, a comprehensive and modern defense and security system for all the people, a streamlined and efficient political system, and a developed, united, cultural and humane society," he urged. Achieving these goals will require mobilizing the wisdom and strength of all Vietnamese people, including the overseas Vietnamese community, an inseparable part of the great bloc of national unity.

In today's digital age, every Vietnamese person around the world can contribute to national development through their knowledge, creativity, patriotism, and civic responsibility.

General Secretary To Lam called on officials, Party members, civil servants, and citizens from all walks of life to be deeply aware of their responsibilities. He urged them to inherit and promote the great legacy of their forefathers and bring honor to the nation in this new era. Every action, he said, "must be worthy of the bloodshed, sacrifices, and losses endured by the entire nation."

"We must not let the country fall behind. We must not allow the nation to miss its opportunities. We must not allow the vicious cycles of history to be repeated. Therefore, national interests must always come first. We must act for the long-term future, not for short-term gains," General Secretary To Lam stressed.