Epic of unity and aspiration to rise up

Every April, the country is ablaze with the bright red flag, resounding with the joyful sound of the national festival. It is not only the day the South was completely liberated and the country was reunited, but also an immortal symbol of the aspiration for independence, freedom and unity. A small nation has done what seemed impossible - defeated two great empires in the 20th century, regained the entire territory with its own will, blood and burning patriotism.

At noon on April 30, 1975, tanks of the liberation army entered the Independence Palace - the headquarters of the Saigon government at that time - marking the historic event of liberating the South and unifying the country (Photo: Archive)

The victory of April 30, 1975 marked a long and arduous journey. From Dien Bien Phu, which was famous all over the world, to Mau Than 1968, which shook the world political chessboard, and then the lightning-fast Ho Chi Minh Campaign, all created an immortal heroic epic. In the midst of the fire of war, the Vietnamese people still marched forward with an iron-clad belief: No matter how much sacrifice and hardship, the country would definitely be unified, the mountains and rivers would be united.

The unforgettable footage is the image of troops marching towards Saigon amid the cheers of the people, the loudspeakers announcing the unconditional surrender of the Saigon government. The victory flag fluttering on the roof of the Independence Palace - an image that crystallizes a century of pain, of millions of lives that have fallen so that the nation can rise again.

After the war, Vietnam entered a period of peace with countless difficulties. Bombs and bullets receded, but the remnants of war were still imprinted on every roof, every street, and every human destiny. However, it was also in that hardship that the indomitable spirit and the desire to rebuild the country were once again awakened.

The year 1986 was a historic turning point, opening a new period of development. From a stagnant subsidized economy , Vietnam bravely chose the path of integration, opening up, and promoting internal strength to rise up. Step by step overcoming hyperinflation, food shortages, and economic crisis, Vietnam gradually affirmed its position in the international arena through the efforts of the entire population. During those difficult years, we saw the mettle of a nation accustomed to fighting and rising from ruin.

Vietnam is a politically stable country and an attractive destination for global investors (In photo: A corner of Ho Chi Minh City)

Today, Vietnam is a politically stable country and an attractive destination for global investors. The economy is growing steadily, people's lives are constantly improving, and transportation, urban and rural infrastructure are developing strongly. Mountain-crossing highways, regional industrial parks... are the clearest evidence of a Vietnam that is constantly on the rise.

In that journey, the spirit of April 30th is always an unquenchable flame. It is a sacred memory that reminds every Vietnamese person of the value of independence and freedom. There is no sustainable rise if we forget the hardships we have gone through. There would be no today if there were no previous generations who sacrificed their youth, blood and bones, to keep the oath "to die for the Fatherland, to live for the Fatherland".

That spirit does not stop at the day of victory, but becomes a spiritual motivation, a source of internal strength for Vietnam to enter the era of development. In the era of development, when the world is constantly moving, Vietnam is also entering a journey of strong reform from within.

The institutional revolution, streamlining the apparatus, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of State management are no longer slogans but have become practical, far-reaching and drastic actions. From streamlining staff, merging agencies, reforming administrative procedures to building a professional and honest civil service - all are moving towards an administration that serves the people and creates development.

Removing barriers and intermediate levels, putting talented people in the right positions, and creating conditions for new breakthroughs are the inevitable paths for a nation to rise in the digital age. The state apparatus cannot be cumbersome when the country needs speed. Officials cannot be leisurely when the people are thirsty for change. Institutional revolution, if done correctly, will liberate enormous resources that are being held back by layers of paperwork, by stagnant habits, and by a fear of responsibility.

Because only when the apparatus is streamlined, transparent, and honest, will the aspiration to rise have a chance to become a reality. That is the prerequisite for the country to transform from a developing economy to a developed country, from a country that relies heavily on management to a creative country. Vietnam cannot reach the world with old steps. If we want to go far, we must change the way we go.

The 11th Central Conference with many strategic decisions opens up a new governance model, new institutions, new development space, creating room for a new development model...

The new era – the era of self-improvement – ​​is not only about economic development but also about affirming the identity, position and mindset of the Vietnamese people in the digital age, the age of artificial intelligence and innovation. From the countryside to the city, from farmers to intellectuals and businessmen, everywhere we see great aspirations and ambitions to reach far. Young entrepreneurs, Vietnamese engineers manufacturing technological equipment, border guards sticking to the frontier – all are continuing to write the epic of peacetime.

In the heart of every Vietnamese, April 30 is a day of celebration and a sacred reminder: Freedom is achieved through blood and bones, and preserving freedom is achieved through the will to constantly move forward. Every citizen today is a soldier on a new front – the front of intelligence, of innovation, of civilization.

When the April sunshine pours golden light on every street, when the loudspeakers play the haunting song “Liberating the South”, it is also the time when we ask ourselves: What have we done to be worthy of those who fell? What have we done to help Vietnam reach further on the world map? That question is our responsibility, our pride, and also the motivation for each person to constantly strive.

The spirit of April 30 lives forever in every step of the country's transformation. And in each new journey, from the frontier to the islands, from the plains to the highlands, there are still millions of hearts beating in unison with the patriotic beat - as an affirmation: Vietnam will never stop rising, Vietnam will forever be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with friends from all over the world.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/hung-ca-thong-nhat-va-khat-vong-vuon-minh-251138.html