(VOVWORLD) - On September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence to announce to all Vietnamese people and the world a free, independent Vietnam. 76 years have passed and the emotions of that National Day have been passed from generation to generation as an endless source of inspiration.
 President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh square on September 2, 1945. (Photo: sggp.org.vn) |
President Ho Chi Minh’s voice resounding at Ba Dinh square in the autumn of 1945 is embedded in the heart of every Vietnamese. At that moment, Vietnamese people realized their human value, transformed from slaves to citizens of a free, independent state.
Values of independence, freedom
Those who witnessed the first National Independence Day of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam are now old. But they always talk about that sacred day with vivid memories of pride and happiness.
Colonel Nguyen Trong Ham, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Capital’s Military Zone, formerly called the Hanoi Defense Force, said only people who have experienced slavery like him and his peers can fully feel the joy of being citizens of an independent country.
“Living under three regimes, finally we gained independence, which was a great achievement accumulated from many previous accomplishments. On that day, I and many others went out to cheer each other in an atmosphere of harmony and solidarity,” Ham said.
 Colonel Nguyen Trong Ham, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Capital’s Military Zone (Photo: laodong.vn) |
Nguyen Thanh Quang, former President of the Dak Nong provincial Association of Veterans, said memories of the National Day and President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence were a great source of encouragement for him and his comrades to overcome the hardship of the war and go on to victory.
“One year we celebrated National Day and listened to the radio, which broadcast a poem by To Huu, saying that mountains and forests have electricity instead of stars. Rural areas have machines to replace buffalos. I wished it would come true. I wished our country would be liberated and reunified quickly. Vietnam has gained continuous achievements and life has much improved, which is incomparable with the past.”
Young people who were born in peace time know about the first National Day through the stories of their grandparents and parents. Those stories rekindle the spirit of “remembering the source of the water we drink” and responsibility for national history. Young people have demonstrated their patriotism in many activities.
Le Van Luong, Vice Secretary of the Nghe An provincial Party Committee, said, “We are always proud and thankful to live in peace. We always remember our beloved Uncle Ho. We deem it our responsibility to study harder, to take the vanguard role and volunteer in all fields to make our country more powerful and prosperous.”
Young Vietnamese studying abroad also feel emotional on National Day. Van Anh, a Vietnamese student in Australia, said, “Living far from home, other Vietnamese and I are looking toward our country, thankful for President Ho Chi Minh and the martyrs who fought for national independence. We’ll study and improve ourselves to contribute to national construction to make Vietnam a developed country just as President Ho Chi Minh wished.”
Celebrating Vietnam’s 76th National Day, all Vietnamese feel proud of the nation’s achievements. This year the whole nation is united in a fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The spirit of mutual support, great national unity, and self-reliance is being promoted and multiplied to ensure success.