The spirit of independence and Vietnam's position

The history of Vietnam's nation-building and defense has been fraught with turmoil, forcing our people to take up arms to maintain national independence and sovereignty. The most powerful and invincible weapon of our nation is righteousness, the will for independence and freedom, and the unity of millions as one, forming an "incredibly powerful and immense wave that sweeps away all dangers and difficulties." Each time we repelled invaders, our ancestors proclaimed the independence of our nation.

The independence of the Vietnamese nation is a clear and undeniable truth; anyone who violates it is acting against morality and justice, and is bound to fail, as Ly Thuong Kiet wrote: “The mountains and rivers of the Southern land belong to the Southern Emperor / Clearly defined in the heavenly book / How dare the rebellious invaders come to trespass / You shall surely witness your defeat and ruin.” Nguyen Trai, in his “Proclamation of Victory over the Wu,” also affirmed the legitimacy of our national independence. Vietnam is humble but does not bow down! Because we have a long-standing independent civilization, an undeniable truth: “As for our Great Viet nation from the past / We have long been known for our civilization... From the dynasties of Trieu, Dinh, Ly, and Tran, for generations we built the foundation of independence / While the Han, Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties each held sway over a region”...

People from all walks of life cheered on the marching and parade forces at the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 / April 30, 2025). Photo: Tuan Huy

The will for independence and historical reality have eloquently demonstrated our nation's independence from powerful and belligerent forces. However, to achieve that independence, our nation has always faced tremendous challenges from foreign powers: thousands of years of Chinese rule, hundreds of years under colonial and feudal oppression, the Vietnamese people understand the price of national independence and freedom.

It can be said that, throughout history, only after President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, on September 2, 1945, did Vietnam truly step onto the international stage as an independent nation, equal to other nations in the world community. Vietnam's new status was affirmed as the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, a nation of independence, freedom, and happiness.

From a country where over two million people died of starvation, more than 90% of the population was illiterate, and the world only knew Vietnam as part of French Indochina, today Vietnam has a high standing on the international stage. Our country is a model of poverty eradication, national reunification, and all provinces and cities have achieved universal secondary education standards... a far cry from the conditions of a young nation in 1945.

So what established Vietnam's position on the international stage from those early, difficult days? It was the spirit of independence. From the very first line of the Declaration of Independence, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed an undeniable truth, taken from the American Declaration of Independence of 1776: “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.” He asserted: “Broadly speaking, this means that all nations in the world are born equal; every nation has the right to life, the right to happiness, and the right to freedom!”

This affirmation is profound and has a powerful influence on the anti-imperialist, anti-colonial, and national liberation movements worldwide. It affirms not only Vietnam's rights but also the rights of all nations deprived of equality and national independence. Perhaps this is what has elevated Vietnam to a leading position in the world's national liberation movements. It is no coincidence that African and Latin American countries consistently praise and support Vietnam, using it as a model in the struggle for national independence. Vietnam affirms the legitimacy and correctness of its struggle for independence and freedom, not only for Vietnam but for all oppressed nations around the world.

Clearly, from its very inception, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam chose to stand among the peace-loving and progressive forces of humanity. As President Ho Chi Minh declared to the world exactly 80 years ago: “A nation that has bravely resisted the yoke of French slavery for more than eighty years, a nation that has bravely stood with the Allies against fascism for several years, that nation must be free! That nation must be independent!”... “Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and in fact has become a free and independent nation. The entire Vietnamese nation is determined to dedicate all its spirit and strength, its life and property, to uphold that right to freedom and independence.”

Over the past eighty years, through countless hardships and sacrifices, the Vietnamese people have shown the world that: "We would rather sacrifice everything than lose our country, we would rather die than be enslaved. Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom." This is the truth of our time, the unwavering principle of a humble, tolerant, and peace-loving nation. We are ready to "close the past and look towards the future" because we love peace and value the lives of our people and the international community. This does not mean forgetting the past, nor does it mean anything has changed regarding the unwavering principle: Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom!

We understand its value and the price paid in blood and tears by countless generations of Vietnamese people. The painful experience of defending and building the nation has forged the will of the Vietnamese people, their "conscience and human dignity," enabling them to act independently and confidently for the good that everyone, every nation, desires.

Vietnam is ready to be friends with all countries and, in fact, has been and continues to be a reliable partner of the international community. We have diplomatic relations with most countries and territories in the world; we have comprehensive strategic partnerships with many developed countries. Vietnam may not be rich, but it is ready to share the difficulties with the community whenever there are natural disasters or epidemics. We are ready to share and help poorer countries with our experience and strength in a dedicated and effective manner. The people of African countries love and trust Vietnamese soldiers who are on peacekeeping missions. This feeling is more natural and genuine than any embellishment or flowery words about friendship.

Vietnam's current position should be viewed from the perspective of its friendly and trusting relationship with the international community, and its responsible membership in the world. In a complex and unpredictable global situation, with ongoing conflicts and power struggles between superpowers, and evolving geopolitical demands, Vietnam's stability stems from its strong and flexible traditional cultural diplomacy. This diplomacy is independent, self-reliant, multilateral, and diversified, but its essence lies in the independence and freedom of the nation, while simultaneously respecting the independence and freedom of other nations, upholding morality, and respecting justice.

Even "bravely standing with the Allies against fascism" was a choice of morality, a choice of righteousness, a choice and belief that good would triumph over evil; that goodness and humanity would prevail over wickedness and brutality. This is a Vietnamese cultural tradition: "Using righteousness to overcome brutality / Using humanity to replace tyranny."

Vietnam's national defense policy—not participating in military alliances, not aligning with one country against another, not allowing foreign countries to establish military bases or use its territory to attack other countries, and not using force or threatening to use force in international relations—is entirely correct. A comprehensive, all-encompassing, traditional, and modern national defense, resolutely upholding independence and freedom, is our will and aspiration; it is the truth, the righteousness, and the invincible strength proven throughout history.

To this day, the spirit of independence, self-reliance, legitimacy, and generosity of the 1945 Declaration of Independence remains just as valuable as we enter a new era of development. The aspiration to become a developed, high-income country by 2045 is a legitimate aspiration of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army; it is also the right of a nation that has bravely and creatively overcome countless difficulties to achieve independence, freedom, prosperity, and happiness. That nation must develop, must have peace, independence, unity, democracy, and prosperity. We are entering an era of striving for an independent, free, prosperous, and happy Vietnam, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's leading powers, as envisioned by President Ho Chi Minh!

Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc

* Please visit the relevant section to view related news and articles.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/80-nam-cach-mang-thang-tam-va-quoc-khanh-2-9/tinh-than-doc-lap-va-vi-the-viet-nam-843559