Promoting the values of the August Revolution and National Day in the new context

The August Revolution of 1945 and National Day on September 2 are glorious milestones in the history of the Vietnamese nation, marking the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The core values of this great event, national solidarity, indomitable will, revolutionary creativity, and the aspiration for independence, are not only a precious legacy but also an immense spiritual resource, illuminating the path of national development in the new era and in the context of Party congresses at all levels, heading towards the 14th National Party Congress.

THE FOUNDATION FOR A RISING ERA

The August Revolution stands as a powerful symbol of national unity. In those historic days of August 1945, farmers, workers, intellectuals, and people from all walks of life came together under the Party's banner, forming an unstoppable revolutionary wave. This spirit was affirmed by Ho Chi Minh in the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945: "All men are created equal. They are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". This undertaking was not only a declaration of human and national rights, but also a guiding light for all actions of the Vietnamese people in their cause of building and defending the nation.

The commando parade bloc during the state-level preliminary rehearsal for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) on the evening of August 27 at Ba Dinh Square. Photo: Duy Linh

In this era of rising ambition, as Vietnam deepens its integration into the global economy while navigating the opportunities and challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, climate change, regional political instability, and international competition, promoting the values of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) holds vital importance. The spirit of great national unity must be more strongly awakened than ever, not only within the country, but also among overseas Vietnamese communities, and not only among Vietnamese themselves, but also in partnership with international friends. This unity is a crucial source of strength for Vietnam to realize its aspiration of becoming a developed, high-income nation by 2045, in line with the strategic vision set by the Party.

The value of independence associated with socialism, affirmed in the August Revolution, continues to serve as the ideological foundation for Vietnam to maintain its orientation in the new context. National Day on September 2 reminds us of the responsibility to safeguard independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while also driving innovation, particularly in advancing science, technology, and digital transformation, promoting international integration, reforming institutions and removing bottlenecks, fostering strong private sector growth, and linking this progress with the development of a knowledge-based economy, green economy, and digital economy.

PROMOTING THE VALUES OF THE AUGUST REVOLUTION IN THE PREPARATIONS FOR PARTY CONGRESSES AT ALL LEVELS

The Party congresses at all levels leading up to the 14th National Party Congress are a major political event, marking a new milestone in the country's development journey. This occasion is an opportunity for the entire Party, people, and armed forces to look back on 40 years of renewal and set strategic directions for the 2026–2030 period, with a long-term vision toward 2045. In this context, promoting the values of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) is not only about revisiting history, but also about creatively applying its lessons to the cause of national construction and development. At present, grassroots-level and immediate higher-level Party congresses have been completed; the next phase will be the provincial-level congresses, where the values to be promoted must be thoroughly studied and effectively applied.

First and foremost, the preparation for Party congresses at all levels must embody the spirit of solidarity, democracy, and creativity - the core values of the August Revolution. Party congresses should serve as forums for cadres, Party members, and the people to contribute opinions and select leaders with heart, vision, and the capacity to lead. They are also opportunities for Party organizations to continue self-rectification, enhance leadership capacity, and strengthen the fight against corruption, wastefulness, negativity, and degradation in political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle, in line with the spirit of the 11th, 12th, and 13th Central Committee's Resolution No. 4 and other recent resolutions on Party building.

Second, promoting the values of the August Revolution requires Party committees at all levels to listen to the people's voices and mobilize collective wisdom in drafting congress documents. The documents for the 14th National Party Congress must fully reflect the realities of the country, from socio-economic achievements to pressing challenges such as income inequality, environmental pollution, cybersecurity, and non-traditional security issues... The revolutionary spirit of daring to think and daring to act from August 1945 must be demonstrated through breakthrough policies in science and technology, education and training, digital transformation, and environmental protection, especially in connection with the four key Politburo Resolutions No. 57, 59, 66, and 68.

Third, the value of National Day (September 2) reminds us that all policies, strategies, and guidelines of the Party must be directed toward the interests and well-being of the people. Party congresses at all levels should focus on discussing solutions to comprehensively improve the material and spiritual lives of the people, especially vulnerable groups, those in remote areas, and ethnic minority communities... At the same time, attention must be paid to protecting and promoting national cultural values and fostering the comprehensive development of the Vietnamese people, in the spirit of "national independence associated with the people's happiness", as Uncle Ho once emphasized.

RISING IN THE NEW ERA WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE AUGUST REVOLUTION

Vietnam's rising era marks a period of profound transformation as the country advances toward becoming a developed, high-middle-income nation, with the goal of full development by 2045. In this context, the spirit of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) serves as a tremendous source of motivation for the entire nation to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.

First, it is essential to promote the spirit of revolutionary creativity to drive innovation across all fields. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI), big data, blockchain technology, and more, is reshaping the world. Vietnam must make bold investments in scientific research, technology transfer, and the training of high-quality human resources to keep pace with this global trend. The "dare to think, dare to act" spirit from 80 years ago should be applied in developing breakthrough policies that foster entrepreneurship and innovation, especially among young people - the vanguard force of this rising era.

The lessons of 1945 - the Party's wise leadership, the people's absolute trust, and the ability to seize revolutionary opportunities - serve as a lodestar for the nation to overcome difficulties and make the most of opportunities in the era of globalization.    

Second, the spirit of independence, self-reliance, and resilience must be upheld in the context of international integration. Vietnam has signed numerous free trade agreements and taken part extensively in international organizations, but this does not mean sacrificing identity or sovereignty. These principles must always be firmly safeguarded. The Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, affirmed the Vietnamese nation's right to self-determination, and today, we must continue to protect national sovereignty in all areas, from the economy, culture, to national defense, and security, especially in cyberspace and the East Sea.

Third, with the revolutionary spirit being the cause of the masses and the people as both the goal and driving force of every revolution, promoting the values of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) requires the active participation of all citizens, especially the young generation. Vietnamese youth must learn from the spirit of patriotism, the will of self-reliance and resilience, and continuously study and train themselves to become the core force in nation-building. Movements such as "Youth Startups", "Creative Youth", or "Volunteering in defending the Fatherland"... should be expanded, creating conditions for the young generation to unleash their talents and devote themselves to the country.

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Promoting the values of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2) in today's context is not only a responsibility, but also a historic mission of the entire nation. The spirit of unity, indomitable will, revolutionary creativity, together with the aspiration for independence and freedom, serve as an enduring source of strength that empowers Vietnam to overcome all challenges and rise with determination. Under the leadership of the Party and with the unity of the people, we firmly believe that Vietnam will realize its aspiration to become a strong and prosperous nation, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's powers, as Ho Chi Minh once envisioned. The 14th National Party Congress will serve as the pioneering banner, leading the country into a new phase of development and continuing to write glorious chapters in the nation's history.

By: Truc Giang