The war ended, the country was reunited. But unification was not only a geographical continuity, but also a human continuity – a deep aspiration of millions of Vietnamese hearts, towards a common future, without hatred and separation.

Emerging from the ashes of war, the country faced numerous difficulties: infrastructure was severely damaged, the economy was exhausted, and people's lives were extremely difficult. But from the hardship, Vietnam resolutely chose the path: harmony, solidarity, self-reliance and the desire to rise up.

In the inspirational article "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one", General Secretary To Lam affirmed: "We cannot let the country fall behind. We cannot let the nation lose opportunities. We cannot let the cycles of history repeat themselves. Therefore, we must put the interests of the nation and people above all else. We must act for the long-term future, not for short-term achievements."

This profound reminder sums up the spirit of the 50-year journey: a Vietnam that unites people, perseveres in overcoming difficulties, and innovates thinking to constantly strive strongly on the path of development.

50 years of peace and unification: Outstanding achievements

From a poor country, Vietnam has gradually risen to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Its GDP has grown from less than 2 billion USD in the mid-1980s to nearly 500 billion USD today, putting Vietnam in the group of 40 largest economies in the world.

The poverty rate has fallen from over 70% to less than 3%. In particular, tens of millions of people have joined the middle class - an important driving force for consumption, innovation and positive movement of Vietnamese society. The education and health care systems have been expanded throughout the country. Transport infrastructure and digital infrastructure have been constantly modernized, connecting Vietnam with the world.

Along with economic development, the policy of national reconciliation has become a solid foundation for success. Vietnam has chosen to close the past, resolve hatred, and unite all classes of people to move towards a bright future.

This spirit of harmony reflects the deep roots of the nation. From the dawn of history, the Vietnamese people have considered themselves "compatriots" - people from the same hundred-egg sac of Mother Au Co, according to the legend of "children of the Dragon, grandchildren of the Fairy". The word "compatriots" does not simply mean "sharing the same country", but also "sharing the same bloodline", "sharing the same origin" - this sentiment transcends all differences in regions, prejudices and historical circumstances.

Therefore, after the war, the desire for national unity was strongly fostered. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized: "We must continue to promote the strength of national unity, using unity as strength, taking peace and stability as the foundation for rapid and sustainable development". That spirit has created miraculous success: peace is not only maintained on the territory, but also established in the hearts of the people - becoming an endogenous source of strength to bring Vietnam forward steadily.

After half a century of peace, Vietnam has also achieved remarkable achievements in sustainable development and social security. The rate of universal health insurance coverage has reached nearly 92%. The Human Development Index (HDI) has continuously improved, putting Vietnam in the group of countries with high average human development. The United Nations ranked Vietnam's Happiness Index in 2025 up 8 places, ranking 46th, second only to Singapore in Southeast Asia. A stable, safe, and inclusively developed society is increasingly taking shape, reinforcing a firm belief in a bright future.

A dynamic, integrated Vietnam with position and prestige in the international arena

Vietnam today is a peace-loving, deeply integrated, dynamic country with growing prestige and position in the international arena.

From an aid recipient, Vietnam has become a proactive and active member of global organizations such as ASEAN, the United Nations, WTO, CPTPP, RCEP... Establishing strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with many major countries, Vietnam is an important link in the global supply chain, an attractive destination for investment, innovation and tourism.

Vietnam has repeatedly undertaken important international responsibilities, from its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to its successful hosting of international summits. Vietnam has also actively participated in the United Nations peacekeeping force in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, deploying level 2 field hospitals in hotspots, affirming the image of a peace-loving and responsible country to the international community.

Not only that, in major natural disasters around the world, Vietnam has quickly joined hands to provide relief and support to countries affected by earthquakes and floods, such as Türkiye, Myanmar... Those acts of kindness have widely spread the image of a humane, responsible Vietnam that is willing to share for the common good of humanity.

Particularly for former enemy countries, Vietnam has also become a model in international relations of putting the past behind, overcoming differences, promoting similarities, looking to the future to turn enemies into friends.

In a volatile world, Vietnam maintains its foreign policy stance: steadfast in its goals of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, for peace, stability and sustainable development.

Institutional thinking innovation: The foundation for breakthrough and sustainable development

The most profound and decisive achievement for Vietnam's future is the strong innovation in institutional thinking in recent times.

Vietnam has clearly identified the "bottlenecks" that hinder development - first of all, the barriers in the institutional system, in the organizational apparatus and in the country's governance thinking. From there, the Party and the State have proposed major, breakthrough policies:

1. Removing institutional bottlenecks: A series of new resolutions and regulations have been issued to amend and perfect the legal system, ensure consistency, transparency and promote the strong development of social resources.

2. Streamlining the apparatus revolution: The spirit of streamlining the apparatus, making it efficient and practical has become the dominant trend, spreading from the central to local levels.

3. Developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation: Vietnam considers this a new driving force for rapid and sustainable growth in the digital age.

4. Promoting private economic development: The idea that the private economy is the most important driving force of the national economy is clearly affirmed, opening up a large space for creativity and legitimate enrichment.

5. International integration in the new context: Implemented with new ideas, such as shifting from receiving to contributing, from deep integration to full integration, from the position of a behind-the-scenes country to the status of a rising country, pioneering in new fields, catching up, progressing together and surpassing.

These innovations are not just technical adjustments, but a transformation in vision, leadership, management and development methods – a revolution in thinking with strong pervasive power. The achievements of institutional thinking innovation are laying a solid foundation for Vietnam to not only grow rapidly in the short term, but also develop sustainably, inclusively, comprehensively, self-reliantly and powerfully in the future.

Vietnam confidently enters a new era

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of national reunification today, we are even more proud and grateful to the generations who have devoted and sacrificed for peace, independence and unification. At the same time, we are more deeply aware that: Independence, freedom, peace, stability, unification of the people and the prosperity and happiness of the people - are the most sacred values, the most sustainable source of strength for every development journey.

Vietnam has risen from the ashes of war. Vietnam has become a symbol of peace, inclusive development and the spirit of overcoming all difficulties to move forward.

And Vietnam today, with strong aspirations, with a spirit of innovation and creativity, with proactive integration, intelligence and courage, is confidently entering a new era: the era of a unified, self-reliant nation rising up with the world.

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/hoa-binh-va-thinh-vuong-sau-50-nam-dat-nuoc-thong-nhat-102250427224643176.htm