Việt Nam is keo nha cai 5.netone, the Vietnamese people are one: Party chief
April 27, 2025 - 12:33 |
| An art performance held as part of the final rehearsal on April 27 for the upcoming grand parade and procession celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Reunification (April 30) in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vũ |
HÀ NỘI — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee Tô Lâm 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, entitled “Việt Nam 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.
VIỆT NAM IS ONE, THE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE ARE ONE
Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (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 United States, 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 Việt Nam has been a sacred flame, forging the national spirit throughout thousands of years. From the time of the Hùng 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 Hồ Chí 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 Việt Nam; 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 Hồ Chí 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 Lê Duẩn once said “That victory belonged not to any one individual, but to the entire Vietnamese people.” And as poet Tố Hữu 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 Hồ Chí Minh affirmed: “Việt Nam 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. Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, 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 Hồ Chí 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 Hồ Chí Minh's " Việt Nam 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 Bến Hải River and the Trường Sơn 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 subdued, 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 Hồ Chí 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 Việt Nam 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.
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| General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô Lâm. — VNA/VNS Photo |
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 Việt Nam 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 Lạc Hồng 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, Việt Nam 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 Âu Cơ, 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 Việt Nam, 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 Việt Nam 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 honourable 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 "Việt Nam 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, Việt Nam 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 Paradership, 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 – Việt Nam 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.” — VNS
