The people's joy in welcoming General Secretary To Lam . (Source: nhandan.vn)
1. From the very beginning of his journey to find a way to save the nation, President Ho Chi Minh carried within him the greatest aspiration: to win independence for the nation and bring freedom and happiness to the people. Ho Chi Minh's thought on happiness was validated by his own life, a life of nobility and a willingness to sacrifice personal happiness "to steer the ship of the Fatherland through stormy seas, safely to the shores of the people's happiness."
After expelling the French colonialists, President Ho Chi Minh declared independence, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (1945), now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Since then, the motto "Independence - Freedom - Happiness" has always been respectfully placed under the national name and consistently stipulated in the Constitutions of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This motto clearly reflects President Ho Chi Minh's views on three major policies: people's welfare, people's rights, and national identity. In an interview with a foreign journalist (July 16, 1947), he affirmed: "Vietnam's domestic policy is national independence, people's rights and freedom, and people's welfare and happiness."
President Ho Chi Minh clearly stated: National independence linked with socialism is the overarching and fundamental guideline of the Vietnamese revolution. Drawing on his rich practical experience, combined with the revolutionary and scientific theory of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh concluded: Only socialism and communism can thoroughly resolve the issue of national independence, and only they can bring about a truly free, prosperous, and happy life for all people and all nations.
Advancing towards socialism is the inevitable path that our Party and State have always steadfastly pursued. The socialist society that the Vietnamese people are striving to build is a society where the people are prosperous, the nation is strong, democratic, just, and civilized; where the people are masters; where people have a comfortable, free, and happy life, and have the conditions for comprehensive development...
Throughout its congresses, the Party has consistently upheld the principle that "the people are the foundation," and that the people are the subject and center of the process of renovation, national construction, and defense. All policies and guidelines of the Party and State must truly stem from the needs, aspirations, rights, and legitimate interests of the people; taking the happiness and satisfaction of the people as the measure and goal to strive for.
2. The late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, during his lifetime, concluded that: "Human happiness is not just about having a lot of money, possessions, good food, and beautiful clothes, but also about richness of soul, living amidst love and compassion, truth and justice."
The practical experience of national construction and development over the past years has achieved socio-economic achievements for the benefit and happiness of the people. In the 40 years of implementing the Party's reform policies, the country has achieved many great successes, with an average economic growth rate of approximately 6.3% per year during the 2021-2025 period, placing it among the high-growth countries in the region and the world. Vietnam's GDP is estimated to reach over US$510 billion in 2025, 1.47 times higher than in 2020, ranking 32nd in the world, with a per capita GDP of approximately US$5,000. These figures clearly demonstrate that economic development has brought prosperity to Vietnam today.
The theme of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, with 64 words, is: “Under the glorious banner of the Party, we will work together to successfully achieve the national development goals by 2030; we will be self-reliant and confident in advancing strongly in the era of national progress, for peace, independence, democracy, prosperity, civilization, happiness, and steadily advancing towards socialism.” This is a creative inheritance and development of previous congress themes, while also reflecting a new development in the Party's strategic thinking in the face of profound changes in the current domestic and international situation. In particular, the emphasis on “happiness” shows a profound development in the Party's thinking, considering the quality of life and human happiness; considering people as the center, the highest measure; the goal and the driving force of development.
This is also the goal set by the 20th Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030: Striving to be among the leading provinces nationwide by 2030, and becoming a prosperous, beautiful, civilized, and happy province by 2045.
Dr. Thinh Van Khoa, Vice Principal of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Political School, affirmed: The slogan "Independence - Freedom - Happiness" of the Vietnamese State, since its establishment, has affirmed that happiness is a core value in the national foundation and an indispensable part of the development process. Including the theme of Happiness in the Draft Documents of the 14th National Congress of the Party is a continuation of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought; it is the result of more than 80 years of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and 40 years of the reform process; it is a humane goal reflecting the political and legal basis and a political commitment of the Party and State in building society in Vietnam to quickly achieve the ultimate goal of Happiness for the People.
3. At the age of 89, Mr. Nguyen Van That, former Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee and former Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province, has just released his book "Memoirs of My Life," sharing his views on happiness. “Throughout my career to this day, I have had younger colleagues and comrades who, though not related by blood, have shared both joys and sorrows with me, through the most difficult times and the happiest. Currently, we are living in a period of national transformation. The ‘reorganization of the country’ will certainly be a strategic turning point, with a double impact: streamlining the administrative apparatus and improving operational efficiency, with the goal of bringing prosperity and happiness to the people. Social welfare is receiving increasing attention. The ‘Quang Trung Campaign’ – the rapid campaign to rebuild and repair houses for people in disaster-stricken areas from Ha Tinh to Lam Dong – is precisely to achieve the goal of ensuring the happiness of every citizen.”
Writer Thy Lan, Vice President of the Provincial Association of Literature and Arts, said: “I earnestly hope that the correct policies and guidelines of the Party and State will soon become a reality so that the people, especially artists and writers, can live a truly happy life. Artists and writers now have the opportunity to accompany the people in all regions and fields to promptly reflect the transformations of the country today through their creative efforts, faith, intellect, dedication, and talent, bringing meaningful works of art that breathe the spirit of the times.”
As the Party Secretary and head of the Hanh Phuc residential group in Nguyet Vien ward, Mr. Nguyen Van Tien stated: "Hanh Phuc village covers an area of 101.97 hectares with 243 households/723 inhabitants. In my view, happiness is first and foremost about each citizen living safely and peacefully on every street and in every residential area; having a constantly improving material and spiritual life."
The emphasis on "happiness" in the theme of the 14th National Congress of the Party not only defines the overarching strategic goal but also inspires every citizen across the country to see their image vividly reflected in the Party's vision and steps, and to be proud to be a part of the nation's future in this era of progress.
The 2025 World Happiness Report shows that Vietnam's Happiness Index has risen 37 places, from 83rd in 2020 to 46th in 2025. The inclusion of happiness as a factor in the draft documents submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Party is highly appreciated by the people nationwide, who have high expectations and trust in all the policies and guidelines of the Party and the State. |
Text and photos: CHI ANH
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/quan-diem-hanh-phuc-cua-dang-275677.htm
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