This was the affirmation emphasized by General Secretary To Lam in his speech at the ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) held this morning in Ho Chi Minh City.

"In this sacred moment, we respectfully remember and express our boundless gratitude for the great contributions of our beloved President Ho Chi Minh - the genius leader of our Party and people, the great teacher of the Vietnamese revolution, the national liberation hero, the world cultural celebrity, and the outstanding soldier of the international communist and workers' movement," the General Secretary shared.

General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the country will forever remember and be grateful for the great contributions of the revolutionary leaders, heroic martyrs, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the people's armed forces; generations of cadres, generals, officers, soldiers, militia, guerrillas, youth volunteers, frontline workers, and people with meritorious services...

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

In his speech, the General Secretary recalled important milestones from the success of the August Revolution in 1945 to the present, including the long-term resistance war to save the country.

With a burning desire to protect the independence and unity of the country, with the spirit of "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom", all over the country - from Muc Nam Quan to Ca Mau Cape - the whole nation joined hands and united to repel the invaders. And everywhere, there were signs of the bravery, sacrifices and glorious victories of our army and people, fueling the iron will to liberate the South.

Our army and people have won victory step by step, defeating each part, moving towards complete victory, culminating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, reuniting the country.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

"Times will pass, but the victory of our people in the resistance war against the US to save the country will forever be recorded in the history of the nation as a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism - a victory of justice, a victory of Vietnamese mettle, spirit and intelligence, of ardent patriotism, aspiration for independence, freedom and national unification with the truth that Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one," the General Secretary affirmed.

In the lessons learned from the great victory in the spring of 1975, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the greatest lesson and the leading factor determining victory was to maintain the absolute leadership of the Party, build a strong Party in all aspects, and enhance the Party's leadership capacity and fighting strength throughout the struggle for national liberation, national reunification, and protection of the achievements of socialism.

Vietnam's economic scale ranks 32nd in the world.

Assessing after 50 years of national reunification and nearly 40 years of implementing the renovation process, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that our country has overcome many difficulties and challenges, achieved great and historic achievements, creating the foundation, potential, position and international prestige as today.

From a poor and backward country, heavily devastated by war, besieged and isolated, Vietnam has now become a developing country with an upper middle-income, deeply integrated into world politics, the global economy and human civilization.

Vietnam has undertaken many important international responsibilities, playing a proactive and active role in many important international organizations and multilateral forums; independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity have been maintained; national and ethnic interests have been guaranteed.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

The size of the economy in 2024 will rank 32nd in the world and be in the top 20 economies in terms of trade and foreign investment attraction. People's lives have improved significantly; the poverty rate has decreased sharply, now only 1.93% according to multidimensional standards, compared to more than 60% in 1986.

Economic, political, cultural, social, scientific-technological, national defense and security potentials are constantly consolidated; foreign relations are expanded; the country's position and prestige are constantly enhanced.

To date, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 194 United Nations member states; built cooperative relationships, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive strategic partnerships with all major powers in the world, including the United States. 2025 is also the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States.