President Ho Chi Minh left our nation an invaluable legacy: the Ho Chi Minh era – the most glorious period in our nation's history – an era of independence and freedom inextricably linked to socialism.
Thanh Hoa City is adorned with colorful flags celebrating National Day on September 2nd. Photo: Le Hoi
From the first day of independence...
The first National Day – September 2nd, 1945 – will forever remain the most important holiday for our nation, marking the moment when Vietnam officially broke free from nearly a century of colonial oppression, ushering in a new era of development, full of heroism and glory. Even though that sacred historical moment can now only be seen through black-and-white documentary footage, the exuberant spirit and radiant joy in the eyes of those who participated in that great celebration seem to spill from the screen, permeating the cheerful atmosphere of these historic autumn days.
On September 2nd, 79 years ago, Hanoi was filled with enthusiasm and resplendent with red flags bearing yellow stars. Large, proud banners, written in Vietnamese, French, Russian, English, and Chinese, read: "Vietnam belongs to the Vietnamese people," "Independence or death," "Support the Provisional Government," "Support President Ho Chi Minh"... and were displayed throughout the streets. The autumn sky over Hanoi seemed higher and bluer as the capital city had the honor of representing the entire country in celebrating its first Independence Day. The majestic melody of the "Marching Song" resounded, and the red flag with a yellow star was slowly raised. In a solemn atmosphere, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, solemnly read the "Declaration of Independence," declaring to the entire people and to the world that the independent and free Democratic Republic of Vietnam had been born!
The "Declaration of Independence"—an immortal literary masterpiece—begins with an eternal truth: "All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These are undeniable truths." Yet, these "unalienable rights" were trampled upon by the French colonialists under the banner of "freedom, equality, and fraternity." The crimes committed by the French colonialists against the Vietnamese people were not only "the theft of our land"; but also the implementation of an extremely reactionary policy in all aspects—political, economic, cultural, and social—aimed at "oppressing our people."
In the autumn of 1940, the Japanese fascists invaded Indochina. The French colonialists knelt in surrender, not only failing to "protect" our nation, but also "selling our country to Japan." From then on, our people suffered under the double yoke of French and Japanese oppression, leading to even greater hardship and poverty. After March 9, 1945, when the Japanese and French fought each other, the French colonialists were defeated and fled, but their brutality and cowardice did not stop; instead, they intensified when "they heartlessly murdered the remaining political prisoners in Yen Bai and Cao Bang." These are the crimes that President Ho Chi Minh exposed so that our people and the world could once again see the true face of the "mother country."
Vietnamese history is a history of struggles for independence and freedom. And even though we paid a very high price for independence, our ancestors always maintained a tolerant, forgiving, and noble spirit: they did not kill prisoners of war and offered the defeated a way to survive. Inheriting this fine tradition, the "Declaration of Independence" clearly demonstrates the merciful and humane spirit of our nation and upholds the banner of justice and the correct policies of the Viet Minh Front, as shown by rescuing French people from Japanese prisons and protecting their lives and property after March 9, 1945. This once again shows that, despite suffering under the yoke of colonialism for nearly a century, our nation was still ready to "open a path of compassion" for the enemy.
The Declaration of Independence emphasized: "The truth is that our people reclaimed Vietnam from the Japanese, not from the French. The French fled, the Japanese surrendered, and Emperor Bao Dai abdicated. Our people overthrew the colonial shackles of nearly 100 years to build an independent Vietnam. Our people also overthrew the monarchy of several centuries to establish a democratic republic." In just these few words, the Declaration of Independence affirmed an undeniable historical truth: that "our people reclaimed Vietnam from the Japanese, not from the French," because the French had fled. At the same time, it solemnly declared the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; completely abolishing the colonial and feudal regimes, affirming the freedom and independence of the Vietnamese nation before the entire Vietnamese people and the whole world. Because "A nation that has bravely resisted French enslavement for over 80 years, a nation that has bravely stood with the Allies against Japanese fascism for several years, that nation must be free! That nation must be independent!"
The Declaration of Independence is a historical document of immense ideological value and profound practical significance. This document represents the culmination of the independent and free ideology expressed in the "demands" submitted to the Versailles Conference, in the "Revolutionary Path," in the "Brief Political Program," in the "Political Thesis," and in other documents of the Party and the Viet Minh Front. At the same time, the Declaration of Independence inherits and develops the patriotic, self-reliant, and self-strengthening ideology that has been nurtured and developed for millennia by the Vietnamese people. In particular, the Declaration of Independence encapsulates the fundamental rights and most ardent aspirations of the Vietnamese people, and is a powerful expression of the indomitable spirit, unwavering character, and unyielding will of our nation. "The 'Declaration of Independence' is the flower and fruit of the blood shed and lives sacrificed by the heroic sons and daughters of Vietnam in prisons, concentration camps, on distant islands, on the guillotine, and on the battlefield." Therefore, above all, the "Declaration of Independence" that resounded in the autumn sky of Hanoi 79 years ago is "the result of the hopes, efforts, and trust of more than twenty million Vietnamese people (...). It ended the autocratic monarchy and the oppressive colonial regime. It opened a new era of democracy and republicanism" on this land that has suffered so much.
President Ho Chi Minh boldly and eloquently affirmed before his compatriots and the people of the world: “Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and has truly become a free and independent nation. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to dedicate all their spirit and strength, lives and property to safeguard that right to freedom and independence!” Then, in boundless emotion and pride, a forest of hands rose and clasped together to swear an oath: We will resolutely support the Democratic Republic Government and President Ho Chi Minh. The entire nation will stand with the Government to maintain the complete independence of the Fatherland, resisting all schemes of aggression, even if it means death. If the French colonialists invade again, we will resolutely refuse to enlist in the French army, refuse to work for the French, refuse to sell food to the French, and refuse to guide the French. This oath, extracted from the blood and hearts of every patriotic Vietnamese, further beautifies the flag on Independence Day.
The Independence Day rally ended, followed by a magnificent display of strength by hundreds of thousands of people, who marched around the platform and then split into three parade routes through the streets of the capital... And so, history has recorded that Independence Day, September 2nd, 1945, will forever be a great national celebration - a day of immense significance in the political and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
...to priceless seasons of peace
On the first Independence Day of the nation, President Ho Chi Minh emphasized: "Independence and freedom are priceless treasures, which we have suffered and endured pain for so many years to achieve, and we must strive to preserve and protect them."
The historic Ba Dinh Square – the place that witnessed the momentous occasion: President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
His teachings led our nation and our people into two protracted and arduous wars of resistance, achieving great victories. These included the historic Dien Bien Phu victory, "renowned throughout the world and shaking the earth," which put an end to the ambitions of French colonialism across Indochina. And the great victory of Spring 1975, which overthrew the American imperialists and their puppet regime, reunifying the country and allowing the nation to celebrate triumphantly. Since then, the country has been free from enemy forces, and the people have lived in true peace, freedom, and independence.
Nearly half a century has passed since the war ended. The past can be put aside, but history must never be forgotten. Because historical past is the foundation upon which pride, self-respect, self-reliance, and self-strength are built, giving today's generation even greater confidence and strength to create a bright future for Vietnam. And as the tearful words of a veteran deeply moved today's generation say, "Peace is not easily obtained. We must strive to preserve it!"
Peace. Two words full of meaning, yet containing immeasurable value. And more than anyone else, the Vietnamese people understand the preciousness of peace, as well as the price paid for it. It is a "mourning band" tied around the S-shaped land even after the country has fallen silent from the guns. It is the mothers who waited for their sons, their eyes dimmed by time, their hearts still beating with longing and sorrow. It is the sons and daughters who spent decades fighting in war, their youth gone before returning to their mothers. It is the sons and daughters who forever rest in the deep forests and mountains, amidst the vast ocean, or even in enemy territory, their immortal youthful blood staining the national flag and their flesh and bones nurturing the green of peaceful life. The two words "peace" are etched from the blood and bones of countless generations of our ancestors; they were exchanged for immeasurable suffering and unwavering resistance under the heel of foreign invaders for centuries. Because peace is rare for a nation like Vietnam, which occupies a "very special" geopolitical position, its value is invaluable and must be cherished and preserved with all our might.
In reality, the instability, tension, and even escalating wars in many parts of the world today have relegated peaceful life to the "past" and become a "dream" for people in many countries and territories. The tragedy of bombing schools—shelters for the homeless due to conflict—caused many people in the Gaza Strip to exclaim, "I no longer want to live." This is the ultimate helplessness of humanity because peace has been stolen. This is also the truth, or the tragic underbelly, of the word "peace," which only becomes more deeply felt and longed for when it is lost... Looking at this helps us to understand more, to appreciate more, and to feel more proud and responsible. Because the picture of "a peaceful and beautiful Vietnam" that we enjoy today was "painted" with the "ink and blood" and "pen and bone" of our ancestors. And, when placed in the context of today's instability, it is not just an ordinary "painting," but truly the most cherished "dream" of many nations living in the turmoil and suffering of war.
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"The torch of peace" that our ancestors passed down, and the responsibility of future generations, is to ensure that this torch always shines with the brightest flame. So that the light of happiness that peace brings will radiate throughout this land. So that autumns of peace and independence will further strengthen our faith under the glorious banner of the Party and unite us as one, working together to build a Vietnam that is increasingly prosperous, civilized, cultured, and heroic!"
Text and photos: Le Dung
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ngay-hoi-lon-cua-non-song-223658.htm
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