(VOVworld) – The key to resounding success of the August Revolution on 19 August 1945 was that it gathered people from all walks of life, creating a great entire national unity under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The lesson remains valid today at a time when Vietnam is speeding up its international integration.

The 8th Party Central Committee meeting opened in Pac Bo, Cao Bang Province on May 10, 1941. (Photo: thegioidisan.vn)

Amidst rapid changes in the world situation, in May 1941, President Ho Chi Minh convened and chaired the 8^th meeting of the Party Central Committee in Pac Bo, Cao Bang Province. He and the Party Central Committee gave guidance for a strategic shift, affirming that national liberation was the primary task of the Vietnamese Revolution for that period. The meeting pointed out, “At this time, class interests must be placed below the survival of the country and nation.”

Developing the strength of the whole nation to seize power

With that strategic direction, the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh refocused on building the armed forces and directing the method and art of the uprising, making it a revolution of the whole nation and developing the strength of the whole nation.

The Viet Minh (Vietnam Independence League) was founded and developed branches nationwide. Its functions were to work with other national salvation organizations to create a combined force to wrest power from the French colonists. Associate Professor Nguyễn Trọng Phúc, former Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Institute of Party History, said, “In the call for a general uprising, President Ho Chi Minh said, “Let all of us stand up and rely on our own strength to liberate ourselves.” The nation liberated itself thanks to the Party’s guidelines and the cooperation of all forces of the Viet Minh.”

Associate Professor Nguyễn Trọng Phúc, former Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Institute of Party History

Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh through the Viet Minh, the power of the unity of more than 20 million Vietnamese people from all walks of life was fully tapped. The whole country rose up against the colonial rule, seizing power in fifteen days.

Lessons on promoting the strength of great national unity

71 years after the great victory of the 1945 August Revolution, Vietnam has made remarkable progress in its national construction and development. Once an enslaved, impoverished and backward country with no name on the world map, Vietnam has now made considerable achievements in all fields and established diplomatic ties with many nations and international organizations around the globe.

But Vietnam has had to face numerous challenges from hostile forces together with “self-changing” and “self-transforming” within the Party and political, ideological, ethical and lifestyle degradation among a segment of Party cadres.

These are challenging the unity of the Party and the entire nation. This reality has forced the Party to continue to uphold the valuable lessons of the August Revolution, especially in terms of the consolidation and development of the strength of great national unity.

Phạm Thế Duyệt, former President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front

Phạm Thế Duyệt, former President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, said, “More than ever, to continue to exploit our great national unity, the Party should unite and become a bright example for the People. The public requires the Party to strictly realize the guidelines and resolutions it has issued. Once the Party can fulfill these tasks, we can industrialize and modernize and receive more support from foreign friends for our international integration process. These are important lessons on great unity.”

Associate Professor Phạm Xuân Hằng of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said Vietnam’s revolution, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam can’t be isolated from public support and contributions.

Associate Professor Phạm Xuân Hằng of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities

He noted that only by setting up a close link with people through practical acts can the Party accomplish its power mission.                                      

“To rally for national unity in the current period, the Party should act like Viet Minh during the war, becoming the core of great national unity to develop its strength and develop the country’s inner strength. It’s now time for the Party to demonstrate its role,” Hằng explained.

History has proven that under any circumstances no matter what difficulties or challenges might arise, the solidarity and consensus of all Vietnamese and the leadership of the Party are the greatest force driving Vietnam to overcome them. The unity of 93 million Vietnamese at home and more than 4.5 million Vietnamese abroad will make Vietnam develop.