The moment the liberation flag flew over the roof of the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975, entered the nation's history as a monumental event—the day the South was completely liberated, the country unified, and the mountains and rivers reunited as one. It was not only a great victory for the Vietnamese people in the arduous and difficult resistance war against America to save the nation, but also a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, of the will for independence, self-reliance, and the strength of great national unity.
General Secretary To Lam meets with military generals, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, youth volunteers, logistics personnel, and Sài Gòn commandos who took part in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of national reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).
The aspiration for a peaceful, unified, independent, and free Vietnam is the sacred flame that has forged the national spirit through thousands of years of history. From the time Kings Hung founded the nation until today, through many wars of resistance against foreign invaders to protect the country and its borders, patriotism and national spirit have always been the red thread running throughout the course of history. Under the leadership of the Party and Uncle Ho, that aspiration has always been an unmatched spiritual strength, urging all classes of people, united as one, to join hands, unite, and overcome all hardships and challenges to regain independence in 1945, expel colonialists in 1954, and reunify the country in 1975.
The victory on April 30, 1975 was not only significant in ending the longest and most brutal war in modern Vietnamese history, but also a brilliant milestone in the journey of building and defending the nation. It was the victory of belief, of the desire for independence, freedom, and national unity; the victory of the strength of great national solidarity under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam; the victory of the truth "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" and of the passionate patriotism, the eternal indomitable fighting spirit of the Vietnamese people, and of progressive forces and peace-loving peoples around the world.
The victory of April 30, 1975 was the result of the unshakable determination of the Vietnamese people for a unified country that could not be divided by any force. President Ho Chi Minh—the great leader of the nation—affirmed the eternal truth: "Vietnam is one nation, the Vietnamese people are one people. Rivers may run dry, mountains may erode, but this truth will never change."
Uncle Ho's words are not only a sacred declaration of sovereignty and territorial integrity but also a guiding torch, a source of inspiration and strength for all generations of Vietnamese during the arduous and fierce years of war. The victory of April 30, 1975 is a vivid testament to the philosophy of the era: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom."
Not only a military triumph, the April 30, 1975 Victory was also the crystallization of intelligence, courage, and a burning desire for lasting peace, for the right of self-determination of a people once colonized, divided, and oppressed. As General Secretary Le Duan stated, "That victory did not belong to any individual, but to the entire Vietnamese nation." And as the poet To Huu once wrote, "No pain is one's alone / This triumph belongs to all humankind."
The Great Spring Victory of 1975 also left a strong mark on the international stage, deeply encouraging the national liberation movement in many regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America; inspiring peoples to rise up against neo-colonialism and reclaim their freedom and independence. It was a victory of justice over tyranny, a declaration to the international community that a small nation, if it possesses righteousness, unity, and indomitable will, along with the pure support and assistance of international friends, progressive forces, and peace-loving peoples worldwide, will certainly triumph over powers many times stronger. During 30 years of protracted resistance against colonialists and imperialists (1945–1975), the Vietnamese people endured countless hardships, sacrifices, and losses, but never was their will for a unified, independent Vietnam shaken.
In the appeal on National Day, September 2, 1955, Uncle Ho affirmed: "Vietnam will certainly be unified, because our country is one whole, indivisible by anyone." In a letter to the entire population in 1956, he wrote: "National unification is the path of survival for our people." When the war was at its most intense and brutal stage, on July 17, 1966, he resolutely declared: "The war may last five years, ten years, twenty years or more. Hanoi, Haiphong, and several cities and enterprises may be destroyed. But the Vietnamese people are determined not to fear! Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom. On the day of victory, our people will rebuild our country to be more decent, more beautiful than ever." And indeed, under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and our Party, the Vietnamese military and people overcame innumerable hardships, gradually defeating modern war strategies with unshakable faith in the power of justice and the spirit of national independence.
The declaration "Vietnam is one nation, the Vietnamese people are one" by President Ho Chi Minh is not only a truth, a strategic orientation, but also a command from the heart of the entire nation. In the flames of war, that statement became a great source of strength, a powerful inspiration, and a driving force for millions of Vietnamese to go to the front lines with the will to "sacrifice for the Fatherland to survive." Uncle Ho's words were a sacred call, a symbol of the determination to overcome all pain and hardship, to win independence and freedom for the nation, unity for the country, and prosperity and happiness for the people.
Throughout more than 30 years of resistance and nation-building, millions of the nation's outstanding sons and daughters heroically fought and sacrificed; countless families lost loved ones; villages and cities were destroyed; generations of youth had to put aside dreams of study and future ambitions to go defend the Fatherland with the oath "we shall not return until the enemy is defeated." Mothers saw off their children, wives saw off their husbands to the front lines without promises of return. Children grew up amidst bomb rains and bullets, studied letters in shelters, ate corn, sweet potatoes, and cassava instead of rice. Countless soldiers, young volunteers, and logistics workers fell on the S-shaped land of the Fatherland—special forces fighting in enemy strongholds, guerrilla militias in swamps and villages, liberation soldiers crossing Ben Hai, crossing the Truong Son range—all carried within themselves a powerful belief: the Vietnamese people will reclaim the right to rule their country, and the North and South of Vietnam will definitely be reunited under one roof.
A corner of Ho Chi Minh City.
Victory on April 30, 1975 was viewed as the crystallized result of the ideals and iron will of a people who would never be subdued, born from the blood and bones of millions of Vietnamese, from the love for the homeland, from bravery, faith in victory, and the determination to never retreat.
Half a century has passed since the nation was reunited, yet the echoes of that triumphant anthem still resonate in the soul of the Vietnamese people. On the occasion of this significant anniversary, we respectfully remember beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the brilliant leader of our Party and people, the great teacher of the Vietnamese revolution, the national liberation hero, the world cultural celebrity, the distinguished soldier of the international communist movement, who laid the ideological foundation for the cause of national liberation and reunification; we pay tribute and remembrance to the Party's senior leaders, heroic martyrs, intellectuals, patriots, compatriots and soldiers across the country who bravely fought and sacrificed for that noble ideal. Generations of Vietnamese today and in the future will forever remember the immense gratitude and sacrifice for the independence of the Fatherland, for the people's well-being and happiness, and for the survival and development of the nation.
We express deep gratitude to international friends — progressive forces, fraternal socialist countries, humanitarian organizations, and peace-loving people around the world — who accompanied, helped, and supported Vietnam during the years of struggle for national liberation, as well as in the post-war reconstruction and development of the country. That sincere, selfless affection and support will always be cherished, loved, and engraved in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.
For over a century, the Vietnamese people have endured tragic pages of history, suffering immense pain and loss under the yoke and oppression of colonialists and feudalists, especially during two devastating wars spanning more than three decades. War not only took the lives of millions, but also left profound physical, mental, socio-economic, and environmental scars, affecting even generations born after the gunfire ceased. There is no land in Vietnam that did not suffer pain; no family that did not endure loss and sacrifice, and to this day we still must overcome the consequences of war, bombs, mines, and Agent Orange.
But time, compassion, and forgiveness have helped our nation gradually overcome the pain, heal wounds, set aside the past, respect differences, and look toward the future. After 50 years of national unification, we have enough courage, pride, and tolerance to overcome suffering and look forward together — so that the past war no longer remains a divide between the children of the same Lac Hong bloodline.
On that path of development, the policy of national reconciliation has always been defined by the Party and the State as a long-term strategic choice, a pillar of national unity. We clearly understand the historical causes of war — from external interference and division to schemes aimed at destroying unity and sowing hatred for political gain. But we also understand: every Vietnamese, whether at home or abroad, regardless of which side of history they once stood on, shares the same origin, the same language, and the same love for the homeland and country.
Over the years, on working trips across continents, I have had many opportunities to meet thousands of overseas Vietnamese — from young intellectuals starting careers in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, to successful entrepreneurs, famous artists, and ordinary workers in "new lands", including many formerly on the "other side". Every encounter left a deep impression on me: despite differences in political views, historical experiences, or living conditions, they all carried a sense of national pride, all were "children of Vietnam", and all carried a deep yearning for the homeland.
I have witnessed many moving meetings between Vietnamese veterans and American veterans — those who once stood on opposite battle lines, once faced each other with weapons, now able to shake hands, talk, and share with genuine understanding and without resentment. Today, Vietnam and the United States — former enemies — have become comprehensive strategic partners, cooperating for peace, for the benefit of both peoples, and for regional security and stability. So, there is no reason why Vietnamese people — sharing the same bloodline, the same mother Au Co, and the same desire for a united and prosperous country — should continue to harbor hatred, division, and separation.
National reconciliation does not mean forgetting history or erasing differences, but accepting diverse perspectives in a spirit of tolerance and respect, aiming toward a greater goal: building a peaceful, unified, strong, civilized, and prosperous Vietnam, so that future generations never again witness war, separation, hatred, and loss as their ancestors once did.
We believe that all Vietnamese — wherever they live, whatever their past — can accompany, join hands, and contribute to building a brighter future for the nation. The Party and the State always consistently extend open arms, cherish every contribution, and listen to every constructive and united voice from the overseas Vietnamese community — those who are helping to connect Vietnam with the world.
We cannot rewrite history, but we can shape the future. The past is for remembrance, gratitude, and lessons learned. The future is for building, creating, and developing together. That is the honorable promise of today's generation to those who have fallen, and the shared aspiration of a nation that has endured much pain but has never been subdued. Fifty years ago, the Vietnamese people wrote a glorious epic with steely will and resilient bravery — an anthem of will, determination, unity, and peace. Half a century later, that same people are continuing to write a new heroic epic — the anthem of renewal, integration, development, and strong ambition to rise in the 21st century.
In the past, no true Vietnamese wanted their country divided. Today, certainly no true Vietnamese would wish for anything but a stronger, more prosperous nation, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's great powers. More than anyone, today's generation clearly understands that independence and unification are not the final destination, but the starting point of a new journey: the journey to build a peaceful, wealthy, civilized, developed, and enduring Vietnam. If past generations engraved the truth "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one" with sacrifices and losses, then today's generation must turn that ideal into a driving force for development, into wings to rise in the new era.
The spirit of national unity — once the unwavering belief and will to overcome hardship, bombardment, and bloodshed — must now become political determination, renewal spirit, and concrete action to protect independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; to develop the economy; and to improve the material and spiritual life of the people. Every Vietnamese, wherever they are, whatever they do, must feel proud of the nation, have faith in the future, and have the opportunity to contribute to common development.
In a rapidly changing and unpredictable world, Vietnam must remain steadfast and alert, not be swept into geopolitical whirlpools or caught off guard by international conflicts. Every historical turn of the world can become either a great opportunity or challenge for small nations, depending on how well-prepared they are. More than anyone, the Vietnamese people understand the devastating consequences of war; we are a peace-loving people, never wishing for war and will do everything to prevent it. But if "the enemy forces us to take up arms," then we will still be the victors. More than ever, we must build a self-reliant, resilient economy; an all-people, comprehensive, and modern national defense and security; a streamlined, effective, efficient political system; and a united, cultural, humane, and developed society.
To achieve this, it is essential to harness the intellect and strength of the entire nation, including the Vietnamese community abroad - an inseparable part of the great national unity block. In the digital era, the era of global connectivity, every Vietnamese person across the five continents can contribute to the nation's construction with their knowledge, creativity, patriotism, and civic responsibility.
The new era we are stepping into - with artificial intelligence technology, digital transformation, a green economy, and sustainable development - requires a new mindset, a new development model, and new people. In the short term, we still face many challenges related to institutions, labor productivity, human resource quality, environmental security, pandemics, climate change, and even non-traditional security risks. However, history has proven: the Vietnamese people have never backed down in the face of hardships, difficulties, and challenges. The question is whether we have enough courage to change, enough will to rise up, and enough unity to turn difficulties into development momentum.
Today's generation - from officials, party members, civil servants, workers, farmers, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, students, to all levels of the people, are all descendants of the Dragon and Fairy - must be deeply aware that: we are inheriting the great values of heritage from our ancestors, and we have the responsibility to bring glory to the country in the new era. Every action today must be worthy of the blood and sacrifices that the entire nation has suffered.
We cannot allow the country to fall behind. We cannot allow the nation to miss its opportunity. We cannot allow history's vicious cycles to repeat. Therefore, national and ethnic interests must come first. We must act for the long-term future, not for short-term achievements. We must firmly maintain independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and preserve a peaceful and stable environment. At the same time, we must vigorously innovate in development thinking, administrative reforms, build a socialist rule-of-law state, a socialist-oriented market economy, with state management, under the leadership of the Party, and construct a modern socialist society.
Looking forward, we have every right to be proud and confident in the internal strength of the Vietnamese nation - a nation that has defeated foreign invaders many times and risen from wars, asserting itself before history and the world. With a thousand-year tradition of building and defending the country, with an unceasing aspiration to rise up, with a talented, ambitious, patriotic, creative, and resilient young generation - Vietnam will surely succeed.
The 21st century is the century of nations that know how to master their destiny. And the Vietnamese nation - with all the lessons from the past, with all the unity today - will definitely write new glorious chapters in its development journey. For an independent, free, happy, prosperous, civilized Vietnam with a significant position and voice in the international community.