The Spirit of the Declaration of Independence – Vietnam rising into a new era (The final)

On the morning of September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence – an immortal epic that shattered the chains of colonial and feudal oppression, founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The entire nation enjoyed independence, freedom, and happiness, implementing its aspiration for national prosperity and stepping into a new era, the era of the nation’s rise.

Dong Nai strives to achieve double-digit economic growth in 2025. Photo: Phu Quy

The Spirit of the Declaration of Independence was ignited by President Ho Chi Minh from the revolutionary cradle of Pac Bo, Cao Bang (1941–1945) – a “red address” on the path of national liberation. Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio-Television proudly present a series of five articles: “The Spirit of the Declaration of Independence – Vietnam rising into a new era,” portraying the history of the struggle for national liberation, kindled by President Ho Chi Minh in Pac Bo, Cao Bang, culminating in the sacred moment when He read the Declaration of Independence, and offering enduring lessons for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new era.

THE FINAL PART: STEADFASTLY ADVANCING INTO THE NEW ERA

The Declaration of Independence read on September 2, 1945 marked the historic victory of the August Revolution, opening a new era for the nation, illuminating the path of independence, freedom and happiness. The document was not only a proclamation to the world of the nation’s right to self-determination, but also the crystallisation of the intellect, will, and sacrifice of millions of Vietnamese people. The principle of “placing the people at the centre”, which has guided the Communist Party of Vietnam for 95 years, remains a vivid testament to the power of unity, determination to fight for independence, and the effort to build a strong Vietnam in a new era.

This spirit has also served as the guideline for the Party organisation, administration, and people of Dong Nai province in their journey of development and renewal, in line with the spirit of the 13th National Party Congress and towards the 14th National Party Congress, rising into a new era – an era of the Vietnamese nation’s rise.

The spirit of independence, self-reliance and solidarity – foundation for Dong Nai’s development

The Party’s revolutionary line of “placing the people at the centre” has been clearly demonstrated through the spirit of self-reliance and determination to fight for independence, and has been translated into concrete actions in national construction and development, particularly in the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress. Dong Nai province, with its long-standing revolutionary tradition, has repeatedly been the cradle of grassroots revolutionary movements, building a contingent of pioneering cadres who both served in resistance missions and contributed to, as well as developed, the economy.

Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Dong Nai provincial People’s Committee, noted: “For Dong Nai, from the traditions drawing from earlier revolutionary movements, the August Revolution forged the resilient and indomitable spirit of the people. That spirit was carried forward and strongly promoted during the resistance wars against French colonialists and American imperialists, as well as in the process of building and developing the province thereafter. It was that very spirit which enabled Dong Nai to rise from a difficult land to become one of the country’s leading industrial and economic hubs.”

In the current period of renewal, that spirit has been realised through the establishment of new governance models, administrative reforms, improvements in cadre quality, and the development of the local economy. The citizens of Dong Nai not only actively participate in emulation movements for productive labour but also act as pioneers in reform initiatives, driving digital transformation and creating a favourable environment for investment and development.

A corner of Vo Thi Sau street, Tran Bien ward, Dong Nai province. Photo: Thuy Tien

Speaking at a working session held on August 15 with the Dong Nai provincial People's Committee on the province's socio-economic situation in 2025 and measures to address existing obstacles, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc emphasised: "Dong Nai today resembles a bustling construction site, where the province has completed and is carrying out a vast workload of site clearance to support major national projects. With its strategic location bordering Ho Chi Minh City, its network of national highways, expressways, seaports, and large industrial zones, Dong Nai enjoys outstanding advantages to develop logistics, attract investment, and accelerate socio-economic growth." He expressed confidence that Dong Nai will soon rank among the leading provinces nationwide in terms of economic growth.

In particular, in 2025, Dong Nai aims to collect 100 trillion VND in budget revenue and achieve double-digit economic growth – a demonstration of its determination and aspiration to break through, getting ready to integrate and advance on its own internal resources.

Institutional reform – turning the spirit of the Declaration into material strength

The 13th National Party Congress identified the comprehensive improvement of development institutions as one of three strategic breakthroughs, in which implementing Resolutions 18 and 19 about streamlining the organisational apparatus and operating a two-tier local government model is a crucial step. Dong Nai has taken a pioneering and determined approach in streamlining its organizational apparatus, improving the performance of local government, thereby facilitating socio-economic development, accelerating digital transformation, and improving the investment and business environment.

To date, the reorganization and streamlining of the provincial apparatus have been running smoothly, significantly reducing the time needed for handling administrative procedures. All processes are digitized, transparent, and publicly accessible. Citizens no longer have to wait long or make multiple visits. For example, the “borderless” administration model has been implemented, allowing people to conduct certain procedures regardless of their places of residence. The investment and business environment has also become more open and favourable. Procedures related to land, construction, and business registration are processed swiftly, creating conditions for enterprises to invest and operate with confidence.

This demonstrates that the spirit of the Declaration of Independence is not merely a historic symbol, but a material strength, enabling Dong Nai to realise the right of national self-determination in the fronts of administrative reform and socio-economic growth.

Efforts in institutional reform have laid a solid foundation for Dong Nai to attract major investment projects, ranging from processing industries to logistics services, while at the same time enhancing the province’s competitiveness in the context of deep international integration.

Dong Nai’s ascent – the journey of realising a new era

The province is vigorously implementing innovation policies, focusing on infrastructure development, human resource improvement and investment attraction. Administrative reform programmes and the application of information technology in state management have been vigorously implemented, gradually enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the government apparatus. Key projects, such as the Amata and Long Thanh industrial parks, as well as transport routes connecting seaports and the international airport, are driving economic development, creating jobs, and improving living standards. Nguyen Thi My, General Director of Ha My Joint Stock Company in Dong Phu commune, Dong Nai province, shared: “Administrative reform and governmental transparency policies have created favorable conditions for enterprises, enabling us to make investment with confidence and expand production, while contributing to the provincial budget, and generating employment for many local workers.”

Visitors learn about cashew products of Ha My Joint Stock Company, Dong Nai province, at the national economic achievements exhibition marking the 80th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Photo: Hai Lam

Alongside its economic development, Dong Nai also prioritises building e-government, enhancing governance capacity, and reducing administrative burdens for people and enterprises. This is precisely how the province has translated the spirit of independence and self-reliance into concrete action, turning the right to national self-determination into practical measures that serve the people’s lives and foster sustainable development.

The enduring value of the Declaration of Independence in the new era

The Declaration of Independence remains a torch that lights the path of development, reminding all that independence, self-reliance, and solidarity are the foundations of every achievement. In Dong Nai, this spirit is reflected in efforts to build a transparent and strong government, foster socio-economic progress, improve people’s living conditions and promote international integration.

Master Tran Quang Toai, Chairman of the Dong Nai Association of Historical Sciences, affirmed: “The spirit of the Declaration of Independence is not only a historical legacy, but also a guideline for firm steps forward, enabling Dong Nai to continue rising, generating material, intellectual and spiritual power, and contributing to the overall development of the nation."

Educational programmes on history and revolutionary traditions are implemented in schools and at local historical sites, helping the younger generation gain a deeper insight into the value of independence and freedom as well as their responsibility for the homeland. At the same time, emulation movements in creative labour, administrative reform, and digital transformation vividly embody this spirit.

In the first six months of 2025, Dong Nai's GRDP grew by 8.23% (ranking 13th out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide, higher than the national average of 7.52%). As of early August, domestic investment attraction reached over 64 trillion VND, while foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction hit 1.8 billion USD. The province currently manages more than 2,460 domestic projects with a total registered capital of nearly 535 trillion VND, alongside 2,199 valid FDI projects with registered capital of 41.6 billion USD.

From September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square to the present day, the spirit of the Declaration of Independence continues to be the lodestar for every action and decision of the Party organisation, government, and people of all ethnic groups in Dong Nai province. The Party's principle of "placing the people at the centre” has become the foundation for development, gradually realised through administrative reform, socio-economic growth, and international integration. Dong Nai is now stepping into a new era, continuing its rise, transforming independence, self-reliance, and solidarity into material, intellectual, and spiritual power to build an increasingly prosperous, beautiful, civilised and modern homeland.

By: Minh Luan – Truong Ha

Translated by: My Le – Thu Ha