Today, in the solemn and heroic atmosphere of the August Revolution, we proudly commemorate the 80th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

General Secretary To Lam during the ceremony. 

Eighty years ago, in the historic Ba Dinh Square, our beloved President Ho Chi Minh solemnly proclaimed the Declaration of Independence, founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This was the first people's democratic state in Southeast Asia and the beginning of an era of independence and freedom for our nation. 

From that historic moment, the Vietnamese people embarked on a new journey of building a people's government, defending the Fatherland, and steadily advancing on the path of socialism with the goal of "a wealthy people, a strong nation and a democratic, just and civilized society."

In this sacred hour, we reverently remember our ancestors and express infinite gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh. We honor the revolutionary forebears and millions of compatriots and soldiers who sacrificed and contributed to the independence, freedom, and unity of the Fatherland and the happiness of the people.

We will forever remember the devotion of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, veterans, wounded and sick soldiers, martyr families, and all those who made sacrifices for the revolution. 

We also acknowledge the contributions of workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, intellectuals, artists, elders, youth, women, children, religious followers, ethnic groups, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends who have stood side by side with and supported the just revolutionary cause of the Vietnamese people throughout these 80 years.

The Vietnamese Fatherland is the crystallization of a thousand-year tradition of building and defending the nation, of resilience, wisdom, compassion, and aspiration for progress. 

This spirit fostered the immense strength of the August Revolution, the long struggles against colonialism and imperialism, the building and defense of the nation in peace, the renewal process, and our international integration and development. 

It is the strength of the people, by the people, and for the people — the strength of great national unity under the glorious flag of the Communist Party of Vietnam founded, led, and trained by President Ho Chi Minh.

We proudly affirm that every victory of the Vietnamese revolution has been tied to the sound leadership of the Party and the thoughts, morality, and style of Ho Chi Minh. Our Party, the vanguard of the working class and also of the working people and the Vietnamese nation, has consistently upheld the goal of national independence associated with socialism. 

It has creatively applied and developed Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in line with the realities of each period. By always putting the interests of the nation and people above all else, our people have overcome countless difficulties. From being a colony, our nation has become an independent, unified country, advancing confidently toward modernization and deeper global integration, with growing prestige on the international stage.

The tasks of defending independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, maintaining security and social order for sustainable development, and improving the lives and happiness of the people are now our mandate for action. 

Fulfilling these three objectives means realizing President Ho Chi Minh's last wish: "My ultimate desire is that our entire Party and people unite in striving to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, and prosperous Vietnam, making a worthy contribution to the global revolutionary cause."

Over 80 years of hardship and glory, we have proven the truth: under the Party's glorious banner, guided by Ho Chi Minh's light, relying on the people's strength and the unity of the entire nation, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome and no noble goal we cannot reach. No obstacle or reason can stop us from striving toward peace, prosperity, and the eternal development of our nation.

Looking forward, the Party has set the goal that by 2045, on the 100th anniversary of the nation's founding, Vietnam will become a powerful, prosperous, and happy country. This is the aspiration of the entire nation and a solemn pledge before history and the people.

I call upon the entire Party, people, army, overseas Vietnamese, and compatriots at home and abroad to unite, contribute through concrete and practical actions, and turn aspiration into reality. Let us exert greater effort and determination, maximize our intelligence, creativity, and courage, and achieve the goals set by the Party and the State that our people are expecting.

We will resolutely and persistently defend independence, freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of every sacred inch of our land with the combined strength of the entire nation — political, economic, cultural, scientific, technological, military, diplomatic, and the people's will.

We want to be friends and reliable partners with all countries around the world. We respect international law and the United Nations Charter, resolving disputes and disagreements peacefully. We will never yield to any scheme or act that infringes upon our independence, sovereignty, unity, or territorial integrity. We will firmly safeguard our national interests.

In this solemn moment, we hear once more the echo of President Ho Chi Minh's Declaration of Independence in 1945, feel millions of Vietnamese hearts beating with pride, and hear the resounding oath "Sacrifice for the nation's survival." We understand more deeply the value of independence, freedom, and happiness; we cherish peace more; and we feel even more profoundly the sacred meaning of "my people" and "my country."

Once again, let us bow in reverence before the spirit of our great President Ho Chi Minh and our heroic martyrs who became one with the land and the soul of the nation.

On this 80th National Day, I extend the warmest congratulations to compatriots, comrades, soldiers nationwide, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends.

Long live lasting Vietnam; long live a peaceful Fatherland; long live a prosperous and developing Vietnamese nation.

Glory forever to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Glory forever to the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Long live the great President Ho Chi Minh in our cause.

Eternal glory belongs to the People.