Combining national strength with the strength of the times in the Great Victory of Spring 1975 - Lessons and historical significance

TCCS - The great victory in the spring of 1975, culminating in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, was a brilliant milestone in the history of the revolutionary struggle of the Vietnamese people, marking the successful end of the resistance war against American imperialism, completely liberating the South, and unifying the country. Combining national strength with the strength of the times under the leadership of the Party was an important factor in the victory, and also a historical lesson that remains valuable in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today.

Military forces participate in the parade and march in preparation for the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025)_Source: chinhphu.vn

The source of victory

National strength is the sum of a nation's internal resources, expressed through the strength of economic, political , defense and security potential; the strength of the great national unity bloc; the strength of tradition and cultural values. The important factor to promote national strength is to maintain patriotism, the sense of independence, self-reliance and self-reliance and promote the strength of great national unity. The Vietnamese national strength is an endogenous strength, formed and sustainably developed on the basis of cultivating, transmitting and continuing cultural values ​​through thousands of years of struggle to build and defend the country, becoming a fine tradition of our nation.

In the Ho Chi Minh era, under the leadership of the Party, national strength was not only continued, nurtured, and fostered but also developed to a new height. The great victory in the spring of 1975 was the place where the strength of the entire Vietnamese people in the 20th century converged and crystallized to the highest level. There, patriotism, the spirit of great national solidarity, the determination to drive out the American invaders, regardless of sacrifice and hardship for independence, freedom and national unification shone, creating an invincible strength for our people to defeat the enemy.

Under the Party's wise and talented leadership, the tradition of patriotism was aroused and promoted in every Vietnamese citizen, urging them to stand up and take up arms to fight the enemy with a courageous spirit, bearing the high spirit and determination of revolutionary heroism. The Party gathered and united the entire masses of people, all social classes, creating a great source of strength that no enemy could stop. The great victory in the Spring of 1975 was a symbol of the convergence and radiance of the spirit of national solidarity and unity.

The consciousness of national solidarity, unifying “the Party’s will and the people’s heart”, “using our own strength to liberate ourselves” from the resistance war against French colonialism was raised to the ideology of “Unity, unity, great unity - Success, success, great success” in the resistance war against American imperialism to save the country. With the spirit of long-term resistance for the beloved South, the army and people of the North fought hand in hand, carrying out “not a pound of rice missing, not a soldier missing”, “cutting the Truong Son range to save the country”, building while fighting, ready to support and meet all the needs of the frontline. Although the people of the South suffered brutal repression from the enemy, with their indomitable will, they still wholeheartedly followed the revolution, firmly believing in the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. With the love for the homeland that “bleeds and flows like blood”, millions of Vietnamese hearts abroad turned to the Fatherland, contributing their efforts with the progressive, peace-loving people to open up a fighting front in the world and in the “enemy’s heart”, contributing to the day of total victory of the nation… In the strategic battle of Spring 1975, the strength of great national unity flared up strongly, the whole nation went to war, filled with the spirit of “one day is equal to twenty years”, the spirit of “Fast, faster, bolder, bolder, seize every hour and minute, rush to the front, liberate the South. Determined to fight and complete victory”.

In the Great Victory of Spring 1975, in addition to promoting national strength - the internal factor that played a decisive role, the strength of the times - the external factor that played a very important role was also effectively led and promoted by our Party. To achieve total victory, the Party, the State, the army and the entire Vietnamese people not only raised high and maintained the flag of national independence and autonomy in all revolutionary policies, lines and actions, but also always maintained and raised high the flag of international solidarity at the highest level; always linking the struggle of the Vietnamese people with the revolutionary struggle of the people of the world. Thanks to that, in both favorable and difficult times, the Vietnamese people always had the enthusiastic support and assistance from international friends.

The power of the times in the Great Victory of Spring 1975 was clearly manifested first of all in the solidarity and side-by-side fighting against the common enemy of the three Indochinese countries. Promoting the historical tradition of close neighborly brotherhood, the Party, government and people of the three countries were closely united in the resistance war against American imperialism to save the country. The governments and people of Laos and Cambodia created conditions for our army to open the Ho Chi Minh trail on friendly land, helping to transport food, provisions and weapons and equipment to the southern battlefield, creating a strategic position to attack the enemy in all three countries. Our armed forces and our friends coordinated and fought side by side, causing strategic defeats for the US and the Saigon government in the campaigns in Nam Tha (1962), Nam Bac (1968), Canh Dong Chum (1969, 1970, 1972), and Road 9 - Southern Laos (1971) of Laos.

In Cambodia, we and our friends launched a counter-attack to defeat the operations of the US and Saigon armies, completely liberating the five northeastern provinces of Cambodia; defeating major enemy operations, such as Chen La I (1970), Total Victory (1971), Chen La II (1971)... The 4th National Congress of the Party (1976) affirmed: "Our victory is also the victory of the unshakable fighting solidarity of the people of the three countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, of the special relationship that has existed for a long time in history and has been tested in the revolutionary fire against the common enemy of the three peoples" ⁽¹⁾ .

The power of the times in the Great Victory of Spring 1975 was also expressed in the great and effective support and assistance, both spiritual and material, of the socialist brother countries, typically the Soviet Union and China, contributing to increasing the strength of Vietnam in all aspects. Since 1955, Vietnam and the Soviet Union have signed many agreements, creating conditions for multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries. From 1954 to 1964, the Soviet Union supported and helped the Vietnamese people restore and develop the economy, and train cadres for the North. In addition, the Soviet Union also provided Vietnam with a large amount of weapons and ammunition to help the Vietnamese people carry out the resistance war against the invading American imperialists...

During the resistance war against American imperialism, China continued to help and support Vietnam in terms of politics, economy and military aid. China was one of the countries that strongly opposed the unjust war of aggression of American imperialism in Vietnam and resolutely supported Vietnam in the resistance war. The Chinese people organized many rich activities to express solidarity and friendship with the Vietnamese people...

Along with the Soviet Union and China, other socialist countries also actively supported the Vietnamese people. Many delegations of the Party and Government of Poland, Hungary, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the German Democratic Republic, Cuba, etc. visited Vietnam, supporting our independence, freedom and unity. Cultural, educational and medical cooperation activities were expanded. Entering the final stage of the resistance war against American imperialism, socialist countries continued to provide military aid and many goods to us. It can be said that the wholehearted help of socialist countries, typically the Soviet Union and China, contributed significantly to our nation's early victory.

Veterans and American people took to the streets to protest against the US imperialists' war in Vietnam_Photo: nhandan.vn

The power of the times in the Great Victory of Spring 1975 was also expressed in the great support of national, democratic and peaceful forces in the world. In our people's resistance war against American imperialism to save the country, a broad front in the world was formed to support Vietnam's development, which was very deep and strong. Many countries established organizations, committees, and movements to unite and support Vietnam against the invading American imperialists. International organizations, such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the Asia-Africa-Latin America Solidarity Committee, the World Peace Council, the World Federation of Trade Unions, the World Women's Federation, the World Federation of Youth and Students, etc., always worked actively and effectively to support the just struggle of the Vietnamese people. Almost all countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America condemned the US imperialists' invasion of Vietnam. Many capitalist countries that were allies of the US opposed the war and supported Vietnam against US imperialism in many forms such as rallies, demonstrations, strikes...

It can be said that the lesson of combining national strength with the strength of the times is the correct policy and line of the Party that reflects the inheritance and creative application of the Marxist-Leninist viewpoint on internal strength with external strength. Thanks to the combination and good promotion of the factor of national strength with the strength of the times, our nation achieved the Great Victory in the Spring of 1975. The 4th National Congress (1976) affirmed: "Thanks to combining the strength of our people with the strength of the times, thanks to the correct international line of the Party, we have won the great spiritual and material support of the fraternal socialist countries, of all the revolutionary and progressive forces in the world, creating an unprecedentedly large international front supporting Vietnam against the invading American imperialists" ⁽²⁾ .

Historical significance in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland

50 years have passed since the Great Victory in the Spring of 1975, the lesson of combining national strength with the strength of the times has always been applied by our Party in the practice of revolutionary leadership, bringing many great achievements to the country. From being besieged and embargoed, up to now, the country's socio-economic life has developed strongly, Vietnam has deeply integrated with the world, its prestige and international position are increasingly enhanced. However, besides the advantages, we also face many difficulties and challenges, especially non-traditional security challenges and fierce sabotage by hostile forces. Therefore, in the face of the requirement to firmly protect the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam in the new situation, the application of the lesson of combining national strength with the strength of the times today needs to focus on implementing well the following contents:

Firstly, continue to promote the combined strength of the great national unity bloc for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new situation. Following the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh: "Unity, unity, great unity - Success, success, great success", our compatriots at home and abroad unite as one, uphold the national spirit, patriotism, traditions of humanity, tolerance, overcome differences, together sincerely harmonize the nation, cultivate and promote the strength of the great national unity bloc. Promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc will create the image of a unified Vietnam, sharing the same will, the same interests, the same cultural identity. That is the solidarity between compatriots of all ethnic groups in all regions of the Fatherland, between people of all classes at home and abroad, between religions..., the core of which is the leadership of the Party. The consolidation and building of the great national unity bloc takes the goals of independence, national unification, for a rich people, a strong country, democracy, fairness, and civilization as common points to connect and unite widely all classes of people. Effectively implement the Law on Democracy at the Grassroots Level, promote the people's mastery, the critical role of mass organizations in managing and building the country, fight against bureaucracy, corruption, negativity and all risks that harm the great national unity bloc.

Second, continue to promote the spirit of determination to fight and win, the determination to overcome all difficulties and challenges to successfully realize the aspiration to rise up in the era of national rise. The belief and determination to fight and win are the shining manifestations of revolutionary heroism. Throughout the resistance war against the US and in the Great Victory of Spring 1975, that will was expressed in the ideal of "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom", in the determination to "fight to drive the Americans out, fight to overthrow the puppets", "all for the front line", "all for the beloved South", "all to defeat the US invaders". The will and belief in victory became the strength, the driving force that urged the Vietnamese people to stand up and defeat the enemy.

The will, mettle and spirit of the Vietnamese people since the Great Victory of Spring 1975 have always been promoted, contributing to helping the country overcome all difficulties and challenges. Especially when the Soviet Union and the socialist system in Eastern Europe collapsed, hostile forces fiercely opposed, along with the limitations and shortcomings of the centralized economy that had not been resolved; weaknesses in leadership, management and newly arising issues have made the economy develop unstable... Today, promoting the spirit of the Great Victory of Spring 1975, our entire Party, people and army demonstrate the will, determination and aspiration to rise up to bring the country into a new era, an era of development, an era of national growth. We are determined to successfully build a socialist Vietnam, a rich people, a strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization, on par with the world powers as Uncle Ho always wished.

Promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc will create the image of a unified Vietnam, sharing the same will, interests, and cultural identity_Source: vietnam.vn

Third, strengthen foreign affairs, seek support from the international community, and creatively apply the ideology and diplomatic line of “Vietnam’s bamboo” to protect the sovereignty of the Fatherland. Applying and promoting the role of the foreign policy line since the Great Victory of Spring 1975 in protecting the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam today, it is necessary to clearly identify that the Vietnamese revolution is always an inseparable part of the world revolution, so we need to continue to unite and support progressive movements and trends in the world for the goal of peace, national independence, democracy and social progress. In international relations, it is necessary to thoroughly grasp and well implement the Party’s foreign policy line in the new situation. “Consistently implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversify and multilateralize foreign relations. Ensure the highest national interests on the basis of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, equality, cooperation, mutual benefit... Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community” ⁽³⁾ . Ensure the unified leadership of the Party and the centralized management of the State over foreign affairs activities. Build a comprehensive, modern diplomacy with three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. Closely and effectively combine economics, culture, society, foreign affairs with national defense and security, and between national defense and security with economics, culture, society, foreign affairs.

Vietnam needs to continue to expand and diversify foreign relations, build and strengthen strategic cooperation with neighboring countries, socialist countries, strategic partners and major countries. Make the most of the strength of the times, overcome risks and challenges, constantly increase resources to enhance the country's overall strength, protect the Fatherland "early, from afar". In addition, Vietnam needs to be proactive and demonstrate high responsibility when participating in international organizations and forums, to gain political, economic, military and technical support from the international community to enhance the country's position and strength. Vietnam needs to regularly maintain forces participating in United Nations peace missions, participating in international search and rescue, etc.

Fourth, strengthen military strength, national defense potential, build a national defense for all people, build a strong "people's hearts and minds position". The great victory of Spring 1975 showed that, in order to defeat the invading enemy, along with the strength of belief and the will to fight and win, we must have enough military potential and strength to crush all enemy resistance. Currently, strengthening military strength, national defense potential, building, consolidating and perfecting a regular, elite and modern organizational apparatus to create a proactive position in the army contributes to protecting the Fatherland early and from afar. To do that, it is necessary to properly resolve a number of issues: Focus on economic, cultural and social development to create strong material resources for national defense and security; streamlining the armed forces apparatus to meet the requirements of high combat readiness; building a revolutionary, regular, elite and modern people's army; Improve the effectiveness of Party work, political work, education, training, logistics, engineering, training, scientific research, military arts, to meet the task of protecting the Fatherland in new conditions. Regularly grasp the situation, promptly advise and propose to the Party and State to plan military and defense policies and strategies, and decisions and countermeasures to handle situations related to protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland. Build and consolidate a strong all-people national defense, closely combine the all-people defense posture with the people's security posture; maintain a peaceful and stable environment. Promote defense cooperation and diplomacy, effectively apply the great achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in building and protecting the Fatherland.

Fifth, promote the role of education, raise awareness of national defense for the young generation of Vietnam. During the resistance war against American imperialism, to save the country and the Great Victory in Spring 1975, our Party did a good job of educating historical and revolutionary traditions, thereby mobilizing the strength of the entire people, completing the people's war posture in the resistance war against American imperialism, to save the country. Today, to raise awareness of national defense, it is necessary to continue to attach importance to and promote education on historical, revolutionary and cultural traditions, to arouse patriotism so that the young generation is proud of the heroic historical traditions of the nation. In addition, it is necessary to encourage and promote youth volunteer movements, participate in community activities to build a sense of responsibility of each individual towards the Fatherland.

The great victory of Spring 1975 opened a new era in the history of the nation - the era of independence, unification, the whole country moving towards socialism, innovation, integration and development. The achievements in national construction over the past half century continue to create the position and strength for our nation to enter the era of development and growth. The new context with the strong development of science, technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution is posing new challenges. Therefore, the lesson of combining national strength with the strength of the times, helping the country overcome all difficulties needs to be promoted more than ever, contributing to realizing the goal of building an increasingly prosperous, civilized and happy Vietnam./.

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(1) Complete Party Documents , National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2006, vol. 37, p. 475
(2) Complete Party Documents , National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 37, pp. 485 - 486
(3) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates , National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2021, vol. 1, p. 162

Source: https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/nghien-cu/-/2018/1078102/ket-hop-suc-manh-dan-toc-voi-suc-manh-thoi-dai-trong-dai-thang-mua-xuan-nam-1975---bai-hoc-va-y-nghia-lich-su.aspx