The spirit of the August Revolution is the compass for our nation in the new era of development.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc believes that the value that the August Revolution brought is not only limited to national boundaries, but also the continuation and development of the highest values of humanity.

That is the opinion of Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc, Deputy Head of the Cultural - Social Advisory Council, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, with The World and Vietnam Newspaper on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the successful August Revolution.

The power of national unity

The August Revolution of 1945 was considered a victory that “shook the world”. In your opinion, what were the most profound international values that this event spread?

The victory of the August Revolution has a special significance, affirming the truth of the times, that nothing is more precious than independence and freedom; the peace- loving forces always win. In my opinion, this is the victory of the national spirit and the will to self-determination. The August Revolution affirmed a historical truth: No brutal force can subdue a nation with a strong will to independence and self-reliance. The fact that a small but resilient nation stood up to overthrow the domination of both colonialists and fascists is an extremely valuable lesson. This victory has proven that the power of patriotism and solidarity can create miracles, not only a warning to colonial powers but also a great source of encouragement for oppressed peoples around the world.

Carried out immediately after the end of World War II, the August Revolution became a pioneering event, opening a wave of strong national liberation struggles in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Vietnam's victory broke the monopoly of the great powers and strongly encouraged the independence struggles of other countries. The influence of this event was so great that many historians and politicians around the world considered it a turning point, signaling the inevitable collapse of old colonialism.

In particular, the Declaration of Independence read by Uncle Ho on September 2, 1945, not only gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam but also was a document of humanistic and progressive values. By quoting immortal sentences from the American Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of the French Revolution, Uncle Ho skillfully linked the struggle of the Vietnamese people with the ideals of freedom, equality and human rights common to humanity.

This shows that the August Revolution and the values it brought are not only limited to national boundaries, but also the continuation and development of the noblest values of humanity.

From the victory of the August Revolution, what lessons can we draw about the strength of national unity and the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh? How can these lessons be applied to the cause of national construction and defense in the current context?

The current context gives us a very clear lesson: faith. Faith in the truth, in the right, when we are right, even though the nation is not large and the population is not large, we can still make a successful revolution. Second, faith in the forces that love peace and progress in the world. It can be said that the August Revolution of 1945 was not only a great historical event of the Vietnamese people, but also had profound international values, creating "earth-shaking echoes".

This great victory is the crystallization of many factors. From it, we can draw valuable lessons, especially about the strength of the great national unity bloc and the leadership art of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh.

First, the power of national solidarity - the first and most important lesson. The August Revolution proved that when the entire nation is united, "all people as one" under the banner of a common ideal, no force can stop it. The Party and President Ho Chi Minh were very successful in building the Viet Minh Front, bringing together all classes, strata, religions and ethnicities. Focusing on the goal of national independence created an unprecedented combined strength.

Second, it was the Party and Uncle Ho's ingenuity in analyzing the situation and seizing the "once in a thousand years" opportunity. With strategic vision and timely direction, the Party mobilized the entire people to rise up and seize power in a short period of time, before the Allied forces had time to land in our country. This demonstrated their acumen, decisiveness and excellent organizational ability, turning a complex situation into a perfect victory.

The lessons from the August Revolution remain valuable and can be creatively applied to the current context. In the context of the country's deep integration, strengthening the great national unity bloc is becoming even more necessary. It is not only the consensus in protecting sovereignty, but also the joint efforts and consensus in economic development, poverty reduction, and building a fair and democratic society. This strength helps us overcome challenges such as natural disasters, epidemics, and complex social issues.

The Party needs to continue to maintain and improve its leadership capacity, especially in the context of globalization and the 4.0 Industrial Revolution. That is the sensitivity in grasping trends, making the right development policies, and resolutely fighting against social evils. The art of leadership today is also demonstrated in listening to people's opinions, promoting democracy, and using technology to manage and operate the country in the most effective way.

Thus, the spirit and lessons from the August Revolution are not only a part of the past, but also a compass for the present and future of the nation. We need to constantly promote it to build an increasingly rich and civilized Vietnam.

The bustling August days in the capital Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

"Lighting" patriotism for the young generation

80 years have passed, but the spirit of the August Revolution is still considered the flame that ignites patriotism. In your opinion, what should we do to help today's young generation, who were born in peace, understand and appreciate the sacrifices of their fathers and grandfathers, thereby arousing patriotism in a profound and practical way?

The victory of the August Revolution once again affirmed the will for independence and freedom of our nation and people, a will that not every country has. This is a very important lesson, of special significance in this era. The world has entered a new stage of development, with a high demand for development, not just our country, if we stop, we will be left behind.

We have faith in the good beginnings and achievements of the country in the new era of development. I want to emphasize the importance in foreign affairs, not only uniting the Vietnamese people but also uniting the forces that love peace and progress in the world. That strength cannot be measured by bombs and weapons but by the will for independence and freedom of the nation.

Second, developing digital technology - a revolution that cannot be delayed. This is a new era not only for our country but also for many countries in the world. Therefore, our country must rise up, must overcome the middle-income trap, the opportunity has come, if we do not rise up, do not take advantage of the opportunity, the opportunity will slip away.

Therefore, the spirit of the August Revolution is a spirit of determination and resoluteness, based on the belief of our people and our country. The current lesson in diplomacy is to receive the consensus and support of the world's peaceful and progressive forces.

Our country has a very special position in the international arena. It can be said that the success of the August Revolution and the value of the Declaration of Independence have opened a new era, an era of Vietnam standing shoulder to shoulder with other nations.

Thus, the significance of the August Revolution opened up a new prospect, an era of independence and freedom for Vietnam. In the context of globalization and deep international integration, the responsibility of young people towards the country has changed.

To help today’s young generation, who were born in peace, understand and appreciate the sacrifices of their ancestors, we need creative and accessible approaches. History should not be a dry lesson, but a vivid, emotionally moving story.

Instead of teaching history by rote, I think we should turn it into an experiential subject. Organize field trips to historical sites and museums. Encourage students to meet and listen to stories directly from historical witnesses and veterans. When they can touch artifacts and hear real stories, history will become more real and closer than ever.

At the same time, take advantage of social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook to produce engaging historical content. It can be short documentaries, animated videos, historical storytelling podcasts, or online exhibitions. Using the language and formats that young people love will help spread the message effectively and naturally.

In addition, it is necessary to turn history into practical actions, patriotism is not only expressed through words. It is necessary to integrate the spirit of the August Revolution into community activities. For example, young people can participate in volunteer activities, helping families with preferential policies and people with revolutionary contributions. These actions are not only a way to show gratitude but also a way for them to feel the value of peace, independence and freedom.

The most important thing is to help the youth realize that the sacrifices of the previous generation are not a story of the past, but a solid foundation for their current life. Every achievement that the country has achieved is the result of a long and persistent struggle. At that time, gratitude and patriotism will become a natural emotion, a motivation for them to continue to contribute.

To make the young generation deeply and practically patriotic, we need to instill in them empathy and gratitude, by turning great historical values into vivid, close and meaningful lessons for current life.

If you could send a message from the August Revolution to today's young generation, what would you like to emphasize so that they can live with ideals and make practical contributions to the country?

Today's young generation is the golden generation of the country. Our ancestors had revolutionary achievements that are very proud. This golden generation will creatively continue the legacy that our ancestors left behind.

I would like to emphasize two things, the first is the ideal of life. The August Revolution was carried out and won because the young generation at that time had a clear ideal: Fighting for independence and freedom for the Fatherland. That ideal was not vague or far-fetched, but very specific and practical. Today, the ideal of young people is to contribute to building an increasingly rich and civilized country. That could be studying and working to become a useful citizen, engaging in community projects, or simply living a decent life, being responsible for oneself, one's family and society.

The second is the spirit of seizing opportunities and taking action. The August Revolution has shown us that opportunities do not come naturally. Today's young generation lives in an era of opportunities, with remarkable advances in science and technology. Each young person needs to proactively equip themselves with knowledge, practice skills, and constantly learn to seize those opportunities. Action is the only way to turn ideals into reality, and turn opportunities into success.

How can the spirit of national solidarity in the August Revolution be transformed to arouse patriotism and sense of responsibility among Vietnamese youth today, sir?

To transform the spirit of solidarity into patriotism and practical sense of responsibility for young people, we need to turn it into concrete actions that are suitable for the modern context. Instead of grand slogans, let's start with small actions in the community such as protecting the environment, helping people in difficult circumstances, building a healthy learning and working environment. When each individual is aware of their responsibility and acts for the common good, they will feel the power of solidarity.

In the digital age, the spirit of solidarity needs to be spread not only in real life but also in cyberspace. Young people can spread positive messages together, protect national cultural values, and refute distorted and false arguments. Use technology to connect, solve social problems together, and spread stories of kindness and dedication.

Young people should be encouraged to participate in volunteer movements, community-based start-up projects, or cultural preservation. Solidarity is not just a matter of books, but must be demonstrated through the concrete actions of each young person.

Thank you!