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"Celebrating the glorious victories of the South!"
Many places including Dau Tieng, Bau Bang, Plei Me, and Da Nang .
Celebrating the heroic fight in the North,
The American aggressors escalated the conflict and suffered increasingly heavy defeats.
People throughout the country are united as one.
The entire nation is working together, with the front lines and the home front.
Competing in production, fighting, and taking the lead.
"In the fight against America to save the country, we will surely win."
1. In 1966, the war in Vietnam entered a critical escalation phase. After failing in the "Special War," the United States shifted to a "local war," directly deploying hundreds of thousands of expeditionary and allied troops to the South, while simultaneously expanding the bombing campaign using air and naval forces against the North.
At this time, the North was simultaneously engaged in production and combat; the South was bravely resisting the world's most modern military forces. In such circumstances, Tet was no longer simply a time for family reunion, but became a spiritual anchor, a place where leaders entrusted their faith, will, and direction of action to the entire nation and army.
President Ho Chi Minh's poem wishing a Happy New Year of the Horse in 1966 is concise and to the point, yet it contains a very clear political and military message. He affirmed his unwavering belief in the ultimate victory of the nation, while emphasizing the spirit of unity and the persistent will to fight against an enemy far superior in material resources, weapons, and equipment.
The poem's highlight is its tone, which is both intimate and resolute. Uncle Ho avoids elaborate rhetoric, opting instead for simple, direct language that is easy to remember and share orally. Each line focuses on the grand goal of "defeating the American invaders and unifying the country." This is not a general slogan, but a firm affirmation of the irreversible path of the Vietnamese revolution.
The poem possesses profound ideological value with three core points: Firstly, absolute faith in the people. Even in the most difficult times, President Ho Chi Minh placed his complete trust in the strength of the entire nation. He believed that when the whole nation was united, no invading force could subdue Vietnam.
Secondly, the poem demonstrates a clear strategic mindset. While it doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of war, it also avoids fostering pessimism. On the contrary, Uncle Ho clearly identifies that the road ahead is long, but victory is inevitable.
Thirdly, the spirit of internationalism and justice. Although not stated directly, in the context of 1966, the poem's message also conveyed to the world that Vietnam's resistance was a just war, based on moral principles and supported by progressive people worldwide.
In terms of artistry, President Ho Chi Minh's New Year's greeting poems in general, and the poem "Spring of the Year of the Horse 1966" in particular, reached a high level of conciseness. Few words, but many meanings. The language is close to everyday speech, yet carries the weight of a historical rallying cry. This is what made the poem not only read at the moment of New Year's Eve, but also resonate throughout the long year of struggle.
The poem wishing a Happy New Year in 1966 (Year of the Horse) cannot be separated from the realities of life at that time. In bomb shelters, on anti-aircraft artillery positions, amidst fields just harvested to prepare for the new planting season, Uncle Ho's verses became a direct source of spiritual encouragement.
It is known that many later memoirs of soldiers show that Uncle Ho's New Year's greetings were not just for listening, but for action. They strengthened faith, dispelled doubts, helped people overcome fear in the face of modern bombs and bullets, and maintained the will to fight for a long time.
2. Exactly sixty years later, the country enters the Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026 in a completely different context. Vietnam is no longer at war, but faces many new challenges: strategic competition among major powers, global economic fluctuations, digital transformation, climate change, the need to improve the quality of growth and maintain national sovereignty in the context of deep integration.
Reading Uncle Ho's New Year's greeting poem from 1966 again, the core values remain just as meaningful. They represent faith in the strength of national unity, the spirit of self-reliance and self-improvement, and unwavering resilience in the face of difficulties. If 1966 represented resilience in war, then 2026 represents resilience in development and integration.
The spirit of "not fearing difficulties, not fearing strength" from that era can be understood today as "daring to innovate, daring to reform, daring to face" global competition with the nation's genuine capabilities. The simplicity and clarity in President Ho Chi Minh's thinking also serve as a reminder for current leadership: words must match actions, goals must be clear, and national interests must be placed above all else.
President Ho Chi Minh's New Year's greeting poem for the Year of the Horse 1966 is not just a product of wartime, but a timeless spiritual legacy. Each concise line embodies a strategic vision, unwavering faith, and a leadership style that is close to and for the people.
As we enter the Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026, rereading this poem, written exactly six decades ago, is not for nostalgia, but to reflect on the present. History does not repeat itself exactly, but the spirit of overcoming difficulties, the will for independence, and the aspiration for progress that President Ho Chi Minh instilled in the Spring of 1966 remain a guiding principle for the sustainable development of our country today.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202602/chu-tich-ho-chi-minh-with-the-new-year-greeting-poem-of-the-year-of-the-year-of-the-five-years-of-the-five-years-f1d4620/
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