Impressions left by a significant seminar

The 1945 August Revolution stands as a glorious milestone in the history of the Vietnamese nation, ushering in a new era – an era of national independence, freedom, and happiness for the people. The victory of this revolution profoundly demonstrated the political and spiritual strength of the entire nation under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The essence and enduring value of that strength continue to spread and be strongly promoted in today’s cause of building and firmly defending the Fatherland.

Delegates visit the book and newspaper exhibition area at the seminar. Photo: Nguyet Ha

The scientific seminar themed “The political and spiritual strength of the 1945 August Revolution – its significance for the cause of building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the new era”, was successfully hosted by the Political Officer Training School under the Ministry of National Defence in collaboration with the Department of Propaganda and Training,  under the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army and the People’s Army Newspaper in Hanoi, attracting the attention of numerous researchers, scholars, and senior military officers.

Political and spiritual strength

Over 200 papers were submitted to the seminar, alongside numerous direct presentations and exchanges, reaffirming and clarifying the political and spiritual strength, one of the core factors that secured the victory of the 1945 August Revolution.

Major General Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Sau, Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Military History, noted that research by domestic scientists and international scholars consistently affirms that the victory of the 1945 August Revolution was the result of a combination of multiple factors. Of these, the correct, skilful, and wise leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party, headed by President Ho Chi Minh, was decisive.

Based on thoroughly grasping and concretising the Party Central Committee’s and President Ho Chi Minh’s leadership guidelines and ideology, the political and spiritual factor played a vital role, acting as the unifying thread, rallying and amplifying the strength of revolutionary forces, thereby forming the political and spiritual power that secured the 1945 August Revolution’s success.

Senior Lieutenant General, Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, in his paper sent to the seminar, affirmed the enduring value of the political and spiritual strength of the 1945 August Revolution. He described it as a system of intrinsic qualities and capacities of the nation, forged and crystallised throughout the struggle for national liberation, particularly under the Party’s leadership. These values are not merely a historical legacy but continue to spread, permeate, and develop within the realities of modern political and social life.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Thanh emphasised: “From this spiritual strength, the Vietnamese revolution has undergone three stages of development: the era of the struggle for national independence and socialist construction (1930–1975); the era of national reunification and renewal (1975–2025); and now, we have entered era of the nation's rise, beginning with a significant event – the 14th National Party Congress.”

Spreading and guiding national construction and defence in the new era

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Duc, Director of the Department of Propaganda and Training under the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, stated that the victory of the 1945 August Revolution was the culmination of a long, arduous struggle, the pinnacle of a revolution for national liberation along the path of proletarian revolution. It was a triumph of intellect, courage, and the Party’s brilliant leadership, headed by President Ho Chi Minh.

“But more profoundly, the very source of that extraordinary victory lay in the invincible political and spiritual strength of the entire nation,” Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Duc stressed.

Papers and discussions at the seminar also emphasised and reaffirmed the role of revolutionary journalism and communications in spreading the ideals of independence and freedom, and in inspiring the will and aspirations of the entire people. Journalists and press agencies must continue to clarify and deepen the valuable lessons learned from the political and spiritual strength of the 1945 August Revolution. Units must enhance the application of information technology and digital transformation in propaganda and education, and improve effectiveness in countering hostile and erroneous viewpoints, thereby safeguarding the Party’s ideological foundation both online and in real life.

Delegates at the seminar agreed that analysing and clarifying the political and spiritual strength of the 1945 August Revolution must be closely linked to the combined strength of the economy, politics, culture, society, journalism, science and technology, diplomacy, and national defence and security, forming a comprehensive all-people posture. In this, the armed forces and police play a core role, deserving to be the loyal and trusted political and combat forces of the Party, the State, and the people.

Concluding the seminar, Major General, Associate Prof. Dr. Luong Thanh Han, Rector of the Political Officer Training School, stated that the seminar contributed to affirming, developing, and deepening both the theoretical and practical aspects of promoting the political and spiritual strength of the 1945 August Revolution for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. He also urged every officer, lecturer, cadet, staff member, and soldier of the school, as well as the Department of Propaganda and Training, the People’s Army Newspaper, and Party members, to uphold their sense of responsibility and apply the seminar’s contents and outcomes to teaching, research, study, work, and service, ensuring the successful completion of all assigned tasks.

By: Nguyet Ha
Translated by: Thuc Oanh - Thu Hà