The victory of April 30th – Forever a source of pride for the Vietnamese nation.

The great victory of Spring 1975 has been and will forever be a source of pride for the Vietnamese nation. It is not only a glorious chapter in history, but also a guiding light, illuminating the journey of nation-building and national defense today.

In front of the Independence Palace, April 30, 1975. (Photo: Archival material)

The Victory of April 30th – A Great Achievement of the 20th Century

April 30, 1975, became a glorious milestone in the history of the Vietnamese nation – the day of complete victory, ending the resistance war against the US, liberating the South, and unifying the country. This victory was not only a momentous event in political and military terms, but also a shining symbol of the will for independence, the aspiration for peace, and the strength of national unity of the entire Vietnamese people.

Throughout the arduous years of resistance, under the brilliant leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the people of both North and South Vietnam overcame countless challenges and defeated one of the world's most powerful nations. The historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign ended in overwhelming joy for millions of Vietnamese hearts, closing a painful period and ushering in a new era – the era of independence, freedom, and national unity.

The victory of April 30th is the culmination of the fervent patriotism, courage, and unwavering loyalty of generations of our forefathers. It is a victory of Vietnamese resilience, intelligence, and compassion, a willingness to sacrifice for national independence and the future of generations to come. The images of the liberation army entering the Independence Palace, the red flag with a yellow star flying high in Saigon - Gia Dinh, are indelible marks in the nation's memory.

Years will pass, but the Victory of April 30th will forever be etched in the nation's history as its most glorious milestone, a shining symbol of the complete triumph of revolutionary heroism and human intellect, and will go down in world history as a political and military event of epochal significance.

The flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam flies atop the Saigon puppet regime's presidential palace at 11:30 AM on April 30, 1975 (Photo: Archival material).

For every Vietnamese person, April 30, 1975, is a momentous historical day. It was the day the war gradually faded into the past, the country was freed from invading enemy forces, and peace returned to all of Vietnam. It was a day of reunification: the nation was united, North and South joined together; the country joined hands to build a socialist society, aiming for the goal of "a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, justice, and civilization."

Fifty years ago, April 30th placed Vietnam at the forefront of the anti-imperialist struggle, realizing the revolutionary truth of the Ho Chi Minh era: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom." As the document of the 9th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam – Vietnam's platform in the early 21st century – stated: "With the victories achieved in the 20th century, our country, from a semi-feudal colonial state, has become an independent, free nation developing along the socialist path, with extensive international relations, and an increasingly important voice and position in the region and the world. Our people, from a state of slavery, have become masters of their country and society."

On April 30th, a monument to victory was erected, marking the highest historical milestone on the foundation of a century of revolution and national transformation. That is the most fundamental meaning of the April 30th event, and April 30, 1975, holds the significance of a century in modern Vietnamese history.

Saigon commando soldiers on the day of victory (Photo: Archival material)

Leading the Vietnamese revolution from one victory to another.

More than half a century has passed, and Vietnam today is changing day by day, rising strongly on the path of development and integration. But every time April 30th comes around, the hearts of Vietnamese people are still filled with emotion. That victory belongs not only to the past, but also serves as a great source of motivation for present and future generations to move forward, continuing the glorious traditions of their ancestors, and building a strong, prosperous, and civilized Vietnam.

In the journey of building the future, cherishing, preserving, and promoting the values ​​of the Victory of April 30th is the responsibility and pride of every Vietnamese person. From this, we will further love our homeland, be grateful for the immense sacrifices, and cultivate a spirit of unity and self-reliance – a solid foundation for all success.

The most important lesson learned from the victory of April 30th is the unwavering commitment to maintaining and strengthening the Party's leadership and harnessing the power of national unity. This was a vital issue in the previous war of national liberation and is also crucial to the success of the current reform, industrialization, and modernization of our country.

By grasping the revolutionary and scientific essence of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, our Party formulated a correct, creative, independent, and self-reliant line, successfully resolving many strategic and tactical issues, revolutionary methods, and the art of war during a special historical period of our country. In the confrontation with the richest and most powerful imperialist power in the capitalist system, our Party objectively demonstrated the strength of its working-class nature, its popular and national character; its revolutionary spirit and scientific approach to the resistance; its intellect, leadership capacity, and art of directing and organizing the all-people resistance; and its policy of national and international solidarity.

The great victory of the resistance war against the US, for national salvation, further intensifies our national pride – a heroic, intelligent, and creative nation; pride in our Party – the Communist Party of Vietnam, founded, led, and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh. With unwavering dedication, we fought and sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, and for the happiness of the people. The victory of the resistance war against the US, for national salvation, is the victory of national unity, the core of which is the unity within the Party, and the close bond between the Party and the people. The foundation of this bond is the alliance of workers, farmers, and intellectuals under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The Party's leadership experience in the resistance war against the US, for national salvation, is being applied and developed in the current process of national renewal, building socialism, and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam.

Over the past 50 years, especially after nearly 40 years of implementing the reform policies initiated and led by our Party, our country has achieved remarkable successes in almost all fields, creating a new position and strength, opening up many potentials and opportunities for national development. Our country is becoming more dignified and beautiful. Our people enjoy increasingly prosperous and happy lives. Our prestige and position are increasingly enhanced in the international arena.

Fifty years have passed, yet for each of us, the Great Victory of Spring 1975 remains a source of undiminished pride, a brilliant symbol of the strength of revolutionary heroism and the creative intelligence of Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh era; a victory of the strategic thinking of our army and people in the history of national liberation wars and the defense of the Fatherland.

Source: https://htv.com.vn/chien-thang-304--mai-la-niem-tu-hao-cua-dan-toc-viet-nam