(VOVWORLD) - These days, the Vietnamese people are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification. The Great Victory of Spring 1975 was a monumental achievement of the strength of national unity, the will to reunify the Fatherland, and the aspiration for peace. Half a century later, the spirit of speed, decisiveness, and boldness of that historic general offensive continues is inspiring the Vietnamese people as they pursue new goals in a new era of national rise.
 Photo of tank number 846 entering the Independence Palace taken by journalist Tran Mai Huong on April 30, 1975. (Archive photo) |
The 50-year journey since reunification has been a journey for Vietnam to honor its heroic past and draw valuable lessons for the ongoing process of national construction and development.
Vietnam’s strength and wisdom affirmed
The Great Victory of Spring 1975 demonstrated the Vietnamese people’s strength and intelligence in the Ho Chi Minh era, their sound revolutionary path, the wise leadership of the Politburo and the Central Military Commission, and the sharp, flexible command of the General Staff, High Command, and commanders on all fronts.
The April 30 triumph also reflected the determination and effort of soldiers and civilians, the effective coordination between combat and support forces, and the unity of main, local, and grassroots forces during the offensive and uprising.
The victory was the culmination of the Vietnamese people's military art, developed and refined through each stage of the resistance wars, and the unity of all forces, which created a formidable strength to fulfill the mission of national liberation.
Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang said: "The Great Victory of Spring 1975 was a testament to the Party’s creative revolutionary strategy and wise leadership. It was the victory of the people, a vivid expression of patriotism fused with a determination to achieve national reunification and peace."
 Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang (photo: VOV) |
Reflecting to advance further
Over the past five decades, Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements have proven the Party’s great leadership, the nation's increasing strength, prosperity, and self-reliance, and the steady improvement of people’s material and spiritual lives. Vietnam has gained historic achievements and attained greater prestige, prospects, potential, and position than ever before.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony of 80 major projects and works. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac) |
At a ceremony to launch or inaugurate 80 key national projects last week, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said: "The 50-year journey of national reunification has drawn on the lessons of our glorious history and is a testament to our persistent efforts in national construction and development. We reflect on that journey in order to move forward toward the future with a strong spirit, confidence, and a determination to continue the mission in the new era, an era of national rise, prosperity, and civilization."
In the new revolutionary phase, upholding the spirit of the Great Spring Victory of 1975, Vietnam will maintain its political stability and peaceful environment to safeguard and build the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. To build a modern, transparent political system and achieve rapid, sustainable national growth in the new era, Vietnam has restructured its apparatus in line with Resolution 18 of the 12th Party Central Committee, creating a breakthrough in theoretical and practical reform, enhancing the effectiveness of the political system, and laying the groundwork for Vietnam’s long-term development.
Vietnam is harnessing the strength of national unity and channeling the “lightning speed” spirit of the April 30, 1975 Victory in implementing its socio-economic strategy, including Resolution 57 on creating breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, developing a digital economy, increasing productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness in the economy, while unlocking new resources and driving sustainable growth.
Vietnam is also prioritizing the development of human resources and an advanced Vietnamese culture deeply rooted in national identity; combining national defense, security, and foreign affairs; and institutionalizing and concretizing the Party’s strategic views and policies into actionable laws and strategies to safeguard the nation early and from afar.
The 2021 Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress clearly outlines Vietnam’s long-term goals of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, the 100th anniversary of the Party’s founding, and becoming a fully developed, high-income nation by 2045, the centennial of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam—now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The spirit of the historic victory 50 years ago will continue to be a source of inspiration, motivating the Vietnamese people, under the Party’s leadership, to steadfastly pursue and achieve these ambitious goals.