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Opening the Declaration of Independence, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed “All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." This immortal statement was made in the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America in 1776. Echoing these words 170 years later was a clear affirmation that all the peoples on the earth are equal from birth, and all have a right to live, to be happy, and to be free.

Classical thesis on national independence

 President Ho Chi Minh quoted the US Declaration of Independence, made it the foundation of his argument, and developed it into his view on Vietnamese rights.

Associate Professor Doctor Le Van Yen of the Truth National Politics Publishing House said, 'The Declarations of Independence of the US and France mentioned only human rights and citizens’ rights. But President Ho Chi Minh developed it in a broader sense into the rights of nations. All nations, he said, have a right to equality, freedom, and happiness. This reflects President Ho Chi Minh’s broad thinking.'

After World War II, struggles for national independence began to spread. Today many countries in Asia, Europe, America, and Africa have won their independence. It is clear that the pursuit of freedom and independence mentioned in the Declaration of Independence is valued by all peoples and all nations.

Values remain intact

Over the past decades, the world has seen many fluctuations in national defense, security, economics, politics, diplomacy, and culture. Many wars, conflicts, and crises have occurred and confrontation and competition between nations have grown fiercer.

Many lessons have been learned and many arguments have proved to be true. No friend or partner is forever. No enemy or rival is forever. But national interest is eternal.

On September 2, 1945, the Declaration of Independence affirmed Vietnam’s independence and freedom, which are supreme national interest, and reflected President Ho Chi Minh’s wisdom and vision. These values have now been sustained for three quarters of a century.

During his visit to Ho Chi Minh relic site at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi in 2020, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said, 'At Ba Dinh square, Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence, a crucial and historic document. The Declaration of Independence still retains its value. It reflects the ideology, wisdom, soul, stance, and personality of President Ho Chi Minh, a great leader and world cultural figure. It is our responsibility to uphold the Declaration of Independence and defend our national independence and freedom at any cost.'