The whole country always chooses September 5th to start the new school year, why?

The first school opening ceremony in Vietnam took place on September 5, 1945, just three days after Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. On this occasion, Uncle Ho also wrote a letter to students. Since then, September 5 has become the common school opening day of the whole country.

The opening ceremony on September 5th is not only historical but also contains profound meaning about the beginning, the spirit of learning and building the future of the country. It is the day when the whole country joins hands and unites for a progressive education , for the young generations with the spirit of acquiring knowledge and nurturing love for the homeland and country.

The letter sent to students on the opening day of the first school year (1945-1946) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is Uncle Ho's heart and soul for students across the country. The letter shows his love, faith and hope for the young generation in cultivating morality, studying hard to become useful citizens, striving to bring the country to civilization and prosperity.

Uncle Ho advised students nationwide with the affection of an "older brother": "Please listen to me, the words of an older brother who always cares for you to be excellent. In the coming school year, please try hard, study hard, be obedient, listen to your teachers, love your friends...".

Uncle Ho emphasized: "Whether Vietnam's mountains and rivers can become beautiful or not, whether the Vietnamese people can step up to the stage of glory to stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents or not, depends largely on your studies."

According to the website of Hanoi National University, on the basis of Indochina University, Vietnam National University was established and opened its first course on November 15, 1945 under the chairmanship of President Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam National University has an organizational structure and training program following the model of a multidisciplinary, multi-field university, both absorbing the quintessence of human culture and building the foundation of revolutionary education, in order to meet the needs of training scientific cadres to serve the resistance war and national construction.

On October 15, 1968, on the occasion of the new school year, Uncle Ho wrote a letter to cadres, teachers, workers, employees, and students. This was the last letter Uncle Ho sent to the education sector before he passed away.

In the letter, Uncle Ho praised teachers and students for their achievements despite the fierce war, emphasizing the spirit of patriotism, loyalty to the revolution, and competition to teach well and study well. He requested to improve the quality of culture and expertise, care for people's lives, unite teachers and students with the people, and consider education as the cause of the masses to train the next generation to continue the revolutionary cause.

According to the plan of the Ministry of Education and Training, the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year will take place at the National Convention Center on the morning of September 5, broadcast live on VTV1 and connected online to all educational institutions from kindergarten to university (public and non-public) across the country.

This is the first time the opening ceremony has been held simultaneously like this, instead of each university holding it at its own time like previous years.

The ceremony will be solemnly held to affirm the role, position and glorious historical tradition of the Education sector, while spreading the spirit of innovation and creativity, towards an effective and quality school year.