August Revolution 1945 - Great event in the history of the Vietnamese nation

In late 1944 and early 1945, the world situation changed rapidly. World War II entered its final phase with overwhelming advantage in favor of the Allies. In Europe, the Soviet Red Army, in coordination with the armies of Britain, the United States, France, Canada, etc., won consecutive victories, liberating many countries and advancing into Berlin. On May 9, 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally, ending the war in Europe. In Asia - Pacific , the Japanese fascist army was surrounded and heavily threatened. On August 8, 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan, quickly defeated the Kwantung Army, liberating northeastern China and North Korea. On August 14, 1945, the Emperor of Japan announced unconditional surrender, officially ending World War II.

That situation opened a turning point of strategic significance for the Vietnamese revolution. The Party Central Committee assessed: This was a “once in a thousand years” opportunity for our people to rise up and regain independence. While the Allies had not yet entered Indochina to disarm the Japanese army, the French colonialists had already planned to return, seeking to rely on the Allies, and other forces had also begun to intervene; if this opportunity was not seized, the nation’s destiny might be missed.

Capture of the Northern Palace - General uprising to seize power in Hanoi , August 1945. (Photo: VNA)

As early as March 9, 1945, the Central Party Standing Committee held an urgent meeting and issued a policy to launch a widespread anti-Japanese movement to save the country. On March 12, 1945, the Central Committee issued the Directive “Japan and France are fighting each other and our actions”, affirming: “This is a good opportunity for our people to rise up and gain independence”.

In April 1945, the Central Committee convened the Northern Military Revolutionary Conference, unifying the armed forces into the Vietnam Liberation Army. On April 16, the Viet Minh General Headquarters directed the establishment of National Liberation Committees from the Central to the local levels. In early May 1945, President Ho Chi Minh returned to Tuyen Quang from Cao Bang, choosing Tan Trao as the base for nationwide command. On June 4, 1945, the Viet Bac Liberation Zone was officially established. From mid-1945, the anti-Japanese national salvation movement spread widely, the political struggle movement combined with armed struggle and partial uprisings took place strongly in many localities across the country.

When the revolutionary opportunity was ripe, on August 13, 1945, the National Uprising Committee was established and on the same day issued Military Order No. 1, launching a nationwide general uprising.

On August 16, 1945, the National Congress held in Tan Trao approved the Ten Major Policies of the Viet Minh Front, approved the General Uprising Order, unified the national flag with a red background and five-pointed yellow star, chose "Tien Quan Ca" as the national anthem, and elected the Vietnam National Liberation Committee (ie the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Vietnam) headed by President Ho Chi Minh. At the same time, he sent a letter calling on all people, emphasizing: "The decisive hour for the destiny of our nation has come. The whole country, let's stand up and use our own strength to liberate ourselves."

From August 14, 1945, in many localities, Party committees and Viet Minh proactively launched uprisings before receiving official orders, based on the specific situation and the spirit of the Directive "Japan - France shoot each other and our actions". Uprisings broke out everywhere, from districts and communes in the Northern Delta to the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien Hue, Khanh Hoa...

On the afternoon of August 16, 1945, under the direction of the Uprising Committee, a Liberation Army unit commanded by comrade Vo Nguyen Giap set out from Tan Trao, advancing to liberate Thai Nguyen town - opening the military campaign to support the general uprising. At the same time, the armed forces of the Tran Hung Dao War Zone coordinated to capture localities such as Hai Ninh, Quang Yen, Kien An; in the Central region, revolutionary forces in Quang Ngai captured the provincial governor's residence on the night of August 16 - the puppet government collapsed without any time to react.

On August 18, 1945, the provinces of Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Ha Tinh, and Quang Nam were the first localities to gain power in the provincial capitals - creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the country.

In Hanoi, on the afternoon of August 17, 1945, tens of thousands of people from the inner and outer city participated in a large rally at the Opera House, then marched through the central streets, shouting slogans such as “Support Viet Minh!” and “Vietnam Independence!”. On August 18, 1945, the red flag with yellow star was shining brightly on many main streets. The peak was on August 19, 1945, when the general uprising broke out with overwhelming momentum. Self-defense teams and revolutionary masses occupied the Northern Imperial Commissioner’s Office, the Police Department, the Post Office, the Security Guard Camp, etc.; the Bao Dai - Tran Trong Kim government collapsed. On the night of August 19, 1945, we completely controlled the Capital.

In Hue, on August 20, 1945, the Provincial Uprising Committee was established. From August 21, 1945, a series of demonstrations took place, creating an overwhelming situation. On August 23, 1945, tens of thousands of people entered the city, occupied important offices and peacefully seized power.

In Saigon - Gia Dinh, the Southern Regional Party Committee set the uprising date as August 25, 1945. That morning, groups of workers, farmers, and youth from Gia Dinh, Bien Hoa, Thu Dau Mot, and My Tho poured into the city center. The masses took over the Secret Service, the Police Department, the Post Office, the train station, the power plant, etc., the puppet government quickly collapsed, and the revolutionary government was established.

The resounding victories in three major cities: Hanoi, Hue, and Saigon created a strong ripple effect. From urban to rural areas, from lowlands to highlands, from the mainland to the islands - the uprising movement rose like a storm. In Con Dao - once known as "hell on earth", where thousands of loyal revolutionary soldiers were imprisoned - when receiving news of the Japanese fascists' surrender and the General Uprising spreading throughout the country, the Party organization in the prison quickly met, organized forces, and led the prisoners to revolt. In Phu Quoc, under the leadership of the Viet Minh organization, political prisoners and the masses on the island also rose up to overthrow the pro-Japanese government and establish a revolutionary government. On many other islands such as Ly Son, Cat Ba, Bach Long Vi, Hon Gai, Van Don..., the uprising movement in response to the August General Uprising also took place strongly, simultaneously with localities on the mainland, demonstrating the fervent patriotism, the will to be self-reliant, and the desire for independence of the entire nation. Viet Minh organizations, self-defense forces and patriotic masses quickly launched rallies, demonstrations, disarmed security soldiers, occupied offices and declared the government in the hands of the people.

Within just 15 days, from mid to late August 1945, the General Uprising achieved complete victory across the country. On August 30, 1945, King Bao Dai announced his abdication, completely ending the feudal regime that had lasted for thousands of years.

President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh reads the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, September 2, 1945. (Photo: Ho Chi Minh Museum)

On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, solemnly declaring the independence, freedom and equality of the Vietnamese people to the world: “Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and in fact has become a free and independent country. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to devote all their spirit and strength, their lives and property to maintain that freedom and independence.” The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born - marking the beginning of a new era for the nation: the era of independence, freedom and mastery of the country's destiny.

The victory of the August Revolution in 1945 was the result of a combination of many factors, most notably the close combination of favorable historical opportunities with meticulous and methodical preparation and the wise and flexible leadership of our Party headed by President Ho Chi Minh.

First of all, that victory stemmed from the Party's correct and timely leadership. The national democratic revolutionary line that the Party determined was consistent with the aspirations of the vast majority of the people. The Party demonstrated its strategic vision and excellent practical organizational capacity when it directed the entire people to rise up at the right time, quickly seizing power throughout the country with the spirit: "Even if we have to burn down the entire Truong Son mountain range, we must resolutely gain independence."

Second, the victory of the August Revolution was the result of a long and comprehensive preparation process in terms of politics, organization, ideology and armed forces. From the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement, the Democratic movements, the Anti-Japanese National Salvation Campaign to the establishment of the Viet Minh Front, the organization of armed forces, the construction of bases, the expansion of mass forces... The Party had worked hard to prepare to be ready to seize the opportunity. The proactive launching of partial uprisings before the general uprising also demonstrated the sensitivity and flexibility in directing the revolution.

Third, the victory of the August Revolution was the result of the patriotism, indomitable tradition and burning desire for independence and freedom of the entire Vietnamese people. Our people, under the united banner of the Viet Minh Front, rose up in all three regions, from the lowlands to the highlands, from urban to rural areas, from the mainland to the islands. This was a vivid manifestation of the strength of great national unity, an endogenous factor that was decisive for the victory of the revolution.

Fourth, the victory of the August Revolution took place in the context of World War II ending with the complete defeat of German fascism and Japanese fascism. Our Party correctly assessed the “once in a thousand years” opportunity and launched a general uprising to seize power throughout the country.

Rally to celebrate the success of the August Revolution in 1945 at the Hanoi Opera House. (Photo: National Defense Magazine)

The August Revolution of 1945 was successful, opening a great turning point in the history of our nation. That victory broke the chains of slavery of French colonialism for more than 80 years, the domination of Japanese fascism for nearly 5 years and overthrew the feudal throne that had reigned for centuries in our country, leading to the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - a state ruled by the working people.

The victory of the August Revolution marked a great leap forward in the development of the Vietnamese revolution, opening a new era for the nation: the era of independence and freedom; the era of working people taking power, mastering the country, mastering the destiny of the nation; the era of national independence associated with socialism.

With the victory of the August Revolution, our Party became a ruling party, preparing the prerequisites for further victories.

The August Revolution not only has a special significance for the history of Vietnam but also has an epochal stature and profound international significance. That victory strongly encouraged colonial peoples and oppressed forces in the world to rise up and fight for independence, freedom, democracy and social progress. With that victory, the Vietnamese people not only gained independence but also affirmed their position and development path in the flow of modern world history.

The victory of the August Revolution in 1945 broke the yoke of colonialism and fascism, bringing our nation into a new era - the era of independence, nationhood and socialism. Our people changed from being slaves to becoming masters of the country. Our Party changed from operating secretly to openly becoming a leading party in the government. Our country changed from a colonial, semi-feudal country to an independent country, the first People's Democratic State in Southeast Asia. 80 years have passed, the historical stature and great significance as well as the valuable lessons of the August Revolution still hold true, serving as a solid foundation and basis on the path to glory for the Vietnamese nation.

Source: https://svhttdl.dienbien.gov.vn/portal/pages/2025-08-19/Cach-mang-Thang-Tam-nam-1945--Su-kien-vi-dai-trong1.aspx