General Secretary and President: Vietnam will enter an era of national resurgence.

The General Secretary and President emphasized that from a land without a name on the world map, from a country ravaged by war, Vietnam has risen to become a symbol of peace , stability, and hospitality.

General Secretary and President To Lam delivers a speech at the commemoration ceremony. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

On the evening of August 29th, at the Ho Guom Theater, General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife presided over the ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2nd, 1945 - September 2nd, 2024).

Attending the ceremony were former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man; former National Assembly Chairmen Nguyen Van An, Nguyen Sinh Hung, and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; Standing Member of the Party Central Committee Luong Cuong; former Standing Members of the Party Central Committee Le Hong Anh and Tran Quoc Vuong; members of the Politburo, Secretaries of the Party Central Committee, leaders and former leaders of the Party and State; leaders of central committees, ministries, agencies, Hanoi city, neighboring localities and socio-political organizations, along with representatives of revolutionary veterans, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, veterans, scientists, intellectuals, religious dignitaries, artists, businesspeople, athletes, outstanding youth, students and pupils from across the country.

On the international side, the delegation included His Excellency Saadi Salama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to Vietnam and Head of the Diplomatic Corps; and Ambassadors, Chargé d'affaires, and Heads of Representatives of international organizations in Hanoi.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Secretary and President To Lam stated that on September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, solemnly proclaiming to the world the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

For the past 79 years, under the leadership of the Party, following the call of President Ho Chi Minh, echoing the Oath of Independence, with the immortal thought "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," the entire Vietnamese nation has united as one, together with sincere international solidarity, leading the Vietnamese revolution to achieve one victory after another, liberating the nation, unifying the country, successfully implementing the reform process, and steadily advancing towards socialism.

The General Secretary and President emphasized that from a land without a name on the world map, from a country heavily devastated by war, Vietnam has risen to become a symbol of peace, stability, hospitality, and a destination for international investors and tourists.

General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife welcome ambassadors, chargés d'affaires, and heads of international organizations attending the event. (Photo: VNA)

From a backward economy, Vietnam has risen to become one of the top 40 economies, with a trade volume among the top 20 countries in the world, and is a crucial link in 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) connecting it with 60 key economies in the region and globally.

From a country once surrounded and isolated, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 193 countries worldwide, has strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with 30 countries, including all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, major powers, and is an active member of over 70 regional and international organizations.

With the happiness and well-being of its people as its ultimate goal, Vietnam is regarded by the United Nations and international friends as a success story, a shining example of poverty eradication and continuous improvement of the material and spiritual lives of its people.

The General Secretary and President affirmed that the great achievements after 79 years of the nation's founding are due to the patriotic spirit, national unity, self-reliance, self-strength, and the intense aspiration for independence, freedom, and happiness of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam; and at the same time, under the wise and skillful leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam - a Party that always takes serving the people as its purpose and goal, always absolutely and unconditionally loyal to the interests of the nation and the people, as President Ho Chi Minh said, "apart from the interests of the Fatherland and the people, our Party has no other interests" - which has steered the ship of revolution, guiding Vietnam through all rapids and creating many miracles.

The General Secretary and President pointed out that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam are striving to accelerate progress and achieve the goals of the 13th National Congress of the Party, aiming towards the 80th anniversary of independence and the 50th anniversary of national reunification. They are determined to realize development goals by 2030, commemorating 100 years of the country under the Party's leadership; and by 2045, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, making Vietnam a developed, high-income country; ensuring a prosperous and happy life for the people, living in a secure and safe environment, with no one left behind. This fulfills President Ho Chi Minh's last wish: "The entire Party and people unite and strive to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Vietnam, and make a worthy contribution to the world revolutionary cause."

In the context of a world situation presenting both opportunities and numerous difficulties and challenges, the General Secretary and President expressed confidence that, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, upholding the spirit of "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-strength, and national pride," with national unity and sincere international solidarity as the driving force, mobilizing the people's strength, and closely linking the Party's will with the people's aspirations as the foundation, Vietnam will certainly enter a new era, an era of national progress, continuously striving and contributing even more to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

The General Secretary and President emphasized that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam wish to continue receiving the support and close cooperation of friends, partners, and peace-loving people around the world, with the role of diplomats, heads of international organizations' representative offices in Vietnam, and foreign investors acting as bridges and facilitators in the process of national construction and development. They also firmly believe that together, we will overcome all challenges, seize opportunities, and jointly build a peaceful and sustainable developed world, shaping a just international political and economic order based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

On behalf of the ambassadors, chargés d'affaires, and heads of international organizations in Hanoi, the Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam, Saadi Salama, Head of the Diplomatic Corps, extended his best wishes to the leaders of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam on this momentous occasion for the Vietnamese nation. He stated that the sacred moment in Ba Dinh Square 79 years ago will forever remain a glorious milestone, marking the birth of an independent Vietnam after many extremely arduous struggles, realizing the ideals and aspirations of the Vietnamese people for independence, freedom, and happiness, as President Ho Chi Minh's words resonated in Ba Dinh Square in the autumn of 1945.

Mr. Saadi Salama, Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam and Head of the Diplomatic Corps, delivered a congratulatory speech. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

That heroic event is not only etched in the hearts of every Vietnamese person but also serves as a great inspiration for nations struggling for national liberation, justice, and righteousness throughout the world.

The ambassador emotionally expressed that this year's National Day celebration was even more poignant as the immense loss following the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had not yet faded; emphasizing that the image of an honest, humble, simple, approachable, intelligent, and decisive leader will live on forever.

The Vietnamese people and many international friends will always remember him as an exemplary figure, representing the Vietnamese people's aspirations for a strong, just, compassionate, and transparent country.

Expressing his admiration for the positive results Vietnam has achieved in recent times, Ambassador Salama stated that, in the context of a complex and volatile international situation, with wars, conflicts, and strategic competition causing unpredictable instability, Vietnam has comprehensively and effectively implemented "bamboo diplomacy," a symbol of flexibility, resilience, adaptability, and consistency. Vietnam continues to affirm its identity and position on the international stage, expanding and deepening relations with friends around the world.

The ambassador affirmed that Vietnam's consistent stance in resolving international issues based on the rule of law, humanity, equality, and mutual respect has helped it gain an increasingly important voice in regional and global forums.

This is the result of Vietnam's correct policies and wise leadership, and the culmination of the Vietnamese people's intelligence, courage, culture, and tradition of loving peace.

Expressing gratitude for the support of the State and relevant agencies of Vietnam, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Salama affirmed his commitment and determination to continue efforts to further promote and develop the multifaceted friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries and international organizations through peaceful and mutually beneficial cooperation for a peaceful, free, equal, prosperous and sustainable world.

Following the ceremonial part was a special artistic program commemorating the 79th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, featuring many outstanding performances by the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra, along with Vietnamese and international artists. The program included numerous songs and musical works by renowned Vietnamese and international composers, praising President Ho Chi Minh and the revolution, and showcasing the country and people of Vietnam.

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