The victory on April 30, 1975, ended the longest and most brutal war in modern Vietnamese history (1954-1975), marking a great turning point in the nation's journey of nation-building and national defense. It was a victory of courage, faith, will, and the aspiration for independence, freedom, and national unity; the fruit of the ideals and unwavering determination of the Vietnamese people for a unified country that could not be divided by any force; and a victory of the truth: "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one. Rivers may dry up, mountains may erode, but this truth will never change."

The 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country takes place at a historically significant time, when the entire Party, army, and people are accelerating their efforts, making breakthroughs, and fulfilling the targets and tasks set by the 13th National Congress of the Party, and holding Party congresses at all levels leading up to the 14th National Congress of the Party. This is also the time when our Party is on the threshold of a new era – an era of the Vietnamese nation's progress towards peace , independence, democracy, prosperity, civilization, happiness, and a steady advance towards socialism; where all Vietnamese people will experience comprehensive development, enjoy a comfortable and free life, catch up with, and stand shoulder to shoulder with, the world's leading nations; and contribute to the overall strength of national defense from early on and from afar, and make positive contributions to maintaining and building peace and stability in the region and the world.

With respect, pride, and responsibility, we join the nation in entering a new era. In the photo: A formation of helicopters conducting a training exercise over Ho Chi Minh City.

With deep respect, national pride, and political responsibility at the threshold of history, more than ever, each of us needs to continue to uphold the tradition of unity and patriotism; transforming the aspirations of each individual into a combined strength, working together to overcome difficulties and challenges, seizing new opportunities, and resolutely building a prosperous, strong, democratic, just, civilized, happy, and thriving Vietnam, steadily advancing towards socialism; and increasingly enhancing the country's position and prestige in the international arena. Therefore, we need to focus on:

Enhancing the leadership and governing capacity of the Communist Party of Vietnam; building a Party that is "moral and civilized" and a truly clean, strong, and comprehensive political system; and fundamentally reforming the leadership, management, and operational methods of the Party and the State are the leading factors determining the success of the construction of a new era - the era of Vietnam's national progress.

A strong shift in mindset and a burning desire for development are breakthroughs that pave the way for Vietnam to enter an era of national progress.

A powerful institutional breakthrough, unleashing innovation and all development potential;

We are determined to effectively implement the revolution in organizational structure to create a streamlined, efficient, and effective apparatus; this is coupled with improving the quality of cadres and civil servants to meet the requirements of the new era;

Promoting the digital transformation and information technology revolution; creating a leap forward in productive forces and forming a digital mode of production is the leverage to propel the country forward and accelerate the process of building socialism in Vietnam;

Mobilizing and optimally utilizing resources, especially the strength of unity of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army; and the qualities of the Vietnamese people, to create invincible strength for national development and firm protection of the Fatherland;

Combining national strength with the strength of the times, maximizing internal resources, and combining external forces to "internalize" them into a comprehensive strength to keep pace with and advance alongside the times, and to promote Vietnam's soft power;

Protecting the Fatherland early, from afar, before the country is in danger; consolidating and strengthening the all-people national defense, the all-people national defense posture, the people's security, and the people's security posture, organically linked with a solid "people's hearts and minds" posture; adopting new thinking on defense zones and military region defense postures suitable to new conditions; building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern People's Army and People's Police; and a strong and widespread militia and self-defense force...

Elevating foreign relations to be flexible and innovative, "adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining core principles"; consistently implementing an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy; diversifying and multilateralizing foreign relations. Ensuring the highest national interests based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, equality, cooperation, and mutual benefit. Combining national strength with the strength of the times, proactively and actively integrating into the international community comprehensively and deeply; Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community in the era of Vietnam's national progress.

For cadres and Party members, in the face of new demands regarding awareness, thinking, and scientific and technological expertise, innovation, and creativity, it is essential that they always possess unwavering political resolve and impeccable moral character; dare to think, dare to speak, dare to act, dare to take responsibility, dare to innovate, and dare to make breakthroughs for the common good; wholeheartedly and diligently serve the Fatherland and the people, always placing national and ethnic interests above all else. Only in this way can each of us continue to cultivate national pride and fulfill our responsibilities to the Fatherland and the people, worthy of being servants of the people as instructed by our beloved President Ho Chi Minh.

Creating a new era, an era of national progress, is a great undertaking encompassing many significant and complex tasks. The entire Party, army, and people are striving to successfully achieve the goal of building a strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy Vietnam, steadily advancing towards socialism.

Filled with excitement and pride after 50 years of liberating the South and reunifying the country, as well as the great and historically significant achievements attained after 40 years of reform, we are fully confident that the Vietnamese nation will develop into a prosperous and strong nation. Each of us, in our various positions, must continue to fulfill all assigned tasks well, and together with the entire Party, army, and people, be ready to enter a new era of national progress for a civilized, humane, and heroic Vietnam.

NGUYEN VAN SAU,

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/chinh-polit/tiep-lua-truyen-thong/tran-trong-tu-hao-va-trach-nhiem-cung-dat-nuoc-buoc-vao-ky-nguyen-moi-826122