"Affirming the strong determination to innovate so that education is truly the top national policy, the key driving force of national development and the future of the nation"

On the morning of September 5, 1.6 million teachers and 26 million students across the country joyfully welcomed the 80th Anniversary of the Education Sector's Tradition and the Opening of the new school year 2025-2026. On this special occasion, General Secretary To Lam gave an important speech, with thoughtful advice: "The previous generation has made victory with blood and bones, today, in peace, integration and aspirations to rise up, the responsibility of your generation is to make new victory with knowledge - courage - creativity. Therefore, you: (1) Set clear goals; practice self-discipline in self-study; nurture your passion for discovery; (2) Improve your capacity, master digital technology and artificial intelligence in a smart, safe and humane way; (3) Know how to love, share, live responsibly with yourself, your family and the community". Thanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio - Television respectfully introduce the full text of General Secretary To Lam's speech at the ceremony.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the commemoration ceremony. Photo: NDO

Distinguished leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front ,

Distinguished veteran teachers, leaders and former leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training , representatives of leaders from various ministries, departments and the City of Hanoi, and international friends,

Dear teachers and all students throughout the country!

Today, in the solemn and proud atmosphere as the whole country celebrates the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, we attend the opening ceremony of the new school year, commemorating the 80th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's first letter to students nationwide and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the National Ministry of Education - the predecessor of the Ministry of Education and Training today.

This is an opportunity for us to reflect on our glorious traditions and express our gratitude for the contributions of generations of teachers, educators, and education administrators throughout the country. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to reaffirm our strong commitment to reform so that education truly becomes a top national priority, a key driving force for national development and the future of our people .

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to all teachers, education administrators, and students nationwide. May the education sector continue to make groundbreaking advancements, worthy of the tradition of studiousness and the aspirations of the heroic Vietnamese nation. Congratulations to the Ministry of Education and Training on being awarded the First Class Labor Medal.

Dear comrades , teachers, and students,

Our ancestors taught: "Learning must go hand in hand with practice ," and "talented people are the lifeblood of the nation." In his letter to students on the first day of school in September 1945, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: "From this moment on, you will begin to receive a completely Vietnamese education ( ... ) you will absorb the education of an independent country, an education that will train you to become useful citizens for Vietnam, an education that will fully develop your inherent abilities." These teachings have been and continue to be the goals and guiding principles of our national education system.

Eighty years ago, immediately after the successful August Revolution, the Provisional Government established the Ministry of National Education – a strategic decision that laid the foundation for the new education system of independent Vietnam. Along with this, the "Popular Education Movement" surged with the motto "those who are literate teach those who are illiterate." Combating illiteracy became the "opening front" to raise the intellectual level of the people and unlock human resources for nation-building.

Recalling those sacred moments, we are even more deeply moved by the immense contributions of President Ho Chi Minh and our predecessors, and acknowledge the great contributions of generations of teachers who have "wholeheartedly dedicated themselves to their beloved students" and to the cause of education.

Comrades,

For the past 80 years, whether amidst the flames of war or during the peaceful reconstruction efforts, revolutionary education in Vietnam has always been at the forefront: creating human resources, nurturing talent, and making a decisive contribution to the victory of the national liberation, reunification, and development. Especially since the Doi Moi (Renovation) period, education and training have continuously expanded their network, improved quality, and gradually integrated into the international arena.

Alongside our very proud achievements, we must also seriously acknowledge that the quality of education is still uneven, with significant regional disparities. Fundamental and comprehensive reforms have not been synchronized in some aspects, and there is still confusion in both understanding and action. Higher education is slow to innovate, and the linkages between training, research, and the labor market are not yet strong. Teaching methods in many places do not encourage creativity and self-learning abilities. Infrastructure, digital transformation, and international integration are still limited and inadequate. There have been periods when education has not fully played its role as a driving force for development. These are issues that require our resolute efforts to overcome.

Comrades,

Our country is entering a new stage of development, aiming to become a modern industrialized nation by 2030 and a developed, high-income country by 2045. In the context of globalization, the knowledge economy, science and technology, and the rapid development of digital transformation, education and training must maintain its position as a top national priority, becoming a key driving force for national development.

Recently, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW dated August 22, 2025 , on breakthroughs in education and training development . This month, the Secretariat will hold a national conference to disseminate and implement this resolution. This is a resolution of paramount importance, with a strategic vision, setting ambitious and specific goals, and proposing strong breakthrough tasks and solutions to bring Vietnamese education and training into the global education system. To quickly put the Resolution into practice, I propose:

The entire Party must vigorously innovate its leadership thinking regarding education, not imposing old standards on a modern education system, but instead directing a thorough review, organizing decisive and effective implementation, and consistently considering education as a top national priority.

The National Assembly needs to continue improving the legal system, creating a smooth, stable, and advanced legal framework for the reform of education and training.

The government is increasing investment, ensuring financial resources, infrastructure, and personnel; at the same time, it is resolutely removing bottlenecks in mechanisms and policies to unlock and mobilize all social resources for education to the maximum extent.

The Fatherland Front, mass organizations, and social organizations need to leverage the strength of national unity, encourage and spread the movement of the entire population caring for the cause of nurturing future generations.

The education sector needs to be at the forefront of innovation in thinking, methods, and management; building a team of educators who are both knowledgeable and ethical, and who aspire to contribute. Teachers must be shining examples and sources of inspiration for their students. Students must cultivate great ambitions and aspirations, study and train to become global citizens, gradually integrating into international standards while always preserving their Vietnamese identity and spirit.

To successfully implement the reform of education and training in the new phase, I would like to emphasize some major directions:

Firstly, we need a strong shift in thinking and action. We must move from "corrective" reforms to a constructive mindset – leading national development through education; using quality, equity, integration, and efficiency as benchmarks; and tightening enforcement discipline.

Secondly, we must ensure equal access to education and raise the general level of literacy. No child should be left behind; priority should be given to remote, border, island, and disadvantaged areas; and investment should be increased in schools, school nutrition, teachers, and digital infrastructure. Recently, we have implemented tuition fee exemption for all students from preschool to high school; some localities have provided free lunch for students attending school for two sessions. The Politburo has also concluded on the policy of investing in the construction of multi-level boarding schools in 248 border communes. Initially, a pilot program will be implemented to complete the construction or renovation of 100 schools by 2025, no later than the start of the following school year.

Thirdly, reform general education in a comprehensive direction. This includes not only imparting knowledge, but also nurturing character, developing physical fitness, cultivating the soul, fostering civic spirit, discipline, and social responsibility; forming a generation that is "both intelligent, compassionate, and resilient"; and striving for early universalization of general education.

Fourth, create breakthroughs in higher education and vocational education. Universities must become centers for generating knowledge and technology, nuclei of innovation and entrepreneurship; closely linking training, research, and technology transfer with the needs of national development. It is necessary to establish large universities of regional and international stature, and modern vocational training institutions, to train high-quality human resources, contributing to the country's breakthroughs in science and technology, industrialization, and digital transformation.

Fifth, promote international integration in education. Integration aims to learn from best practices, bridge gaps, and disseminate best practices; encourage co-training, program linkages, credit recognition, faculty-student exchanges, and attract international scholars; thereby enhancing the standing of Vietnamese education.

Sixth, focus on building a strong team of teachers and educational administrators. Teachers are the soul of education, the decisive factor in the success or failure of reform. Teachers not only impart knowledge but also sow seeds of aspiration, cultivate character, and ignite faith in their students. Therefore, teachers themselves must constantly learn, innovate, and set exemplary examples. The Law on Teachers, passed by the National Assembly, is the foundation for ensuring the improvement of the material well-being, legal rights and interests, while simultaneously raising the professional standards, ethics, responsibility, and social standing of teachers.

Seventh, promote digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Transform technology into a catalyst for fundamental and comprehensive innovation: flexible teaching and learning, open educational resources, secure and humane digital platforms; enhance digital skills for teachers and students; ensure data security and safety.

Eighth, prioritize investment in education. Investing in education is investing in the nation's future. Develop a comprehensive plan and reorganize the system (especially public universities) to create training, research, and innovation centers on par with regional and international standards; use public spending efficiently and avoid wasteful spending; strengthen public-private partnerships and mobilize social resources to contribute to the cause of nurturing future generations.

Ninth, building a learning society and promoting lifelong learning. In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, knowledge changes every day, every hour; what is advanced today may be outdated tomorrow. Therefore, learning is not only a personal need, but first and foremost must be recognized as a political responsibility, a constant revolutionary act of every citizen. At any age, in any field, or profession, we must learn to avoid falling behind, to master knowledge and technology, to develop ourselves, and to contribute to building a strong and prosperous nation.

Building a learning society and encouraging lifelong learning is the most solid foundation for a self-reliant nation. It is not only an essential asset for each individual, but also a core value of the nation, ensuring that our people keep pace with the times and affirm Vietnam's capabilities and intelligence on the international stage.

Dear students,

On the occasion of the opening of the new school year 2025-2026, I would like to remind you of the following points: Our ancestors achieved victory with blood and sweat; today, in peace, integration, and the aspiration to rise, your generation's responsibility is to achieve new victories with knowledge, courage, and creativity . Therefore, you should: (1) Set clear goals; cultivate self-study discipline ; nurture a passion for discovery; (2) Improve your abilities, master digital technology and artificial intelligence in a smart, safe, and humane way ; (3) Know how to love, share, and live responsibly towards yourselves, your families, and the community.

Every step forward you take is the future of the country. Young students should diligently follow the five teachings of Uncle Ho; high school students should cultivate character, civic consciousness, enrich their knowledge, and nurture their aspirations; university students should cultivate great ambitions, dare to think and act, be at the forefront of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green economy, and international integration; study and train to become useful workers for your families and society.

Dear teachers, educators, and education administrators,

Over the past 80 years, the Vietnamese teaching staff has silently and persistently made immense sacrifices and contributions to the cause of " nurturing people ". On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I express my deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to the generations of teachers. In the new phase, I hope that teachers will: (1) Continue to set an example, innovate methods, and guide students on the path of knowledge and character; (2) Pioneer digital transformation, guide students to use technology (especially artificial intelligence) in a creative, effective, safe and humane way; (3) Actively participate in contributing to policies, together with the whole industry to improve the quality and equity in education.

Dear comrades, dear teachers and students!

Our Party has always considered education and training as a top national priority, a key driving force determining the nation's future. More than ever, we must view investment in education as an investment in the future, in the sustainable development and prosperity of our country.

The 80th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's first letter to students nationwide and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of National Education today is not only an occasion to recall glorious traditions, but more importantly, to reaffirm our determination: We must build a modern, humane, and integrated Vietnamese education system, contributing to the glory of the nation and enabling the country to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's leading powers.

I call upon the entire Party, the entire people, the entire army; all levels, sectors, and localities; every family and every citizen—to join hands in caring for the cause of nurturing future generations, for the future of our children, for the prosperity of the Fatherland, and for the happiness of the people.

With a tradition of valuing education, a dedicated team of teachers, the striving efforts of students nationwide, and the attention of the entire society, I believe that our education sector will continue to overcome difficulties, achieve many great accomplishments, and contribute to realizing the aspiration of building a strong and prosperous Vietnam.

On the occasion of the start of the new school year, we wish all teachers, parents, and students nationwide a new school year filled with enthusiasm, success, and joy!

Thank you very much!

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khang-dinh-quyet-tam-doi-moi-manh-me-de-giao-duc-thuc-su-la-quoc-sach-hang-dau-la-dong-luc-then-chot-cua-phat-trien-dat-nuoc-cua-tuong-lai-dan-toc-260636.htm