I. The August Revolution of 1945 — A Momentous Event in Vietnamese History

1. Historical Background

In late 1944 and early 1945, the global situation changed rapidly. World War II entered its final stage, with the Allies holding an overwhelming advantage. In Europe, the Soviet Red Army, coordinating with the armed forces of Britain, the United States, France, Canada and other countries, won successive victories, liberated many countries and advanced into Berlin. On May 9, 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally, ending the war in Europe. In Asia and the Pacific, Japanese fascist forces were encircled and under severe threat. On August 8, 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan, swiftly defeated the Kwantung Army and liberated northeastern China and northern Korea. On August 14, 1945, the Japanese Emperor announced unconditional surrender, formally bringing World War II to an end.

These developments marked a strategically significant turning point for the Vietnamese revolution. The Party Central Committee identified this as a “once-in-a-thousand-years” opportunity for the Vietnamese people to rise up and regain independence. While Allied troops had yet to enter Indochina to disarm Japanese forces, the French colonialists were already plotting their return, seeking to rely on the Allies, while other forces were also beginning to intervene. Unless this opportunity was seized, the nation could miss its chance.

As early as March 9, 1945, the Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee held an emergency meeting and adopted a policy to launch a widespread anti-Japanese movement for national salvation. On March 12, 1945, the Party Central Committee issued the Directive “The Japanese-French Conflict and Our Actions,” affirming: “This is a favorable opportunity for our people to rise up and gain independence.”

In April 1945, the Party Central Committee convened the Tonkin Revolutionary Military Conference, unifying the armed forces into the Vietnam Liberation Army. On April 16, the Viet Minh General Headquarters directed the establishment of national liberation committees from the central to local levels. In early May 1945, President Ho Chi Minh traveled from Cao Bang to Tuyen Quang, choosing Tan Trao as the base for directing activities nationwide. On June 4, 1945, the Viet Bac Liberated Zone was officially established. From mid-1945, the anti-Japanese movement for national salvation spread widely, combining political struggle with armed struggle, while partial uprisings gained momentum in many localities across the country.

2. Course of Events

When the conditions for revolution were ripe, the National Uprising Committee was established on August 13, 1945. That same day, it issued Military Order No. 1, launching a nationwide general uprising.

On August 16, 1945, the National Congress met in Tan Trao, adopted the Viet Minh Front’s Ten Major Policies, approved the General Uprising Order, agreed on a national flag featuring a five-pointed yellow star on a red background, selected “Tien quan ca” as the national anthem, and elected the Vietnam National Liberation Committee (the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Vietnam), headed by President Ho Chi Minh. At the same time, he sent a letter appealing to the entire population, emphasizing: “The decisive hour for our nation’s destiny has arrived. Compatriots throughout the country, rise up and use our own strength to liberate ourselves.”

From August 14, 1945, Party committees and Viet Minh organizations at various levels in many localities took the initiative to launch uprisings before receiving official orders, based on local conditions and the spirit of the Directive “The Japanese-French Conflict and Our Actions.” Uprisings broke out everywhere, from districts and communes in the northern delta to the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien Hue, Khanh Hoa and elsewhere.

On the afternoon of August 16, 1945, under the direction of the Uprising Committee, a Liberation Army unit commanded by Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap departed from Tan Trao and advanced to liberate Thai Nguyen Town, opening the military campaign in support of the general uprising. At the same time, armed forces from the Tran Hung Dao War Zone coordinated attacks to seize localities such as Hai Ninh, Quang Yen and Kien An. In central Vietnam, revolutionary forces in Quang Ngai seized the provincial governor’s residence on the night of August 16; the puppet administration collapsed before it could react.

On August 18, 1945, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Ha Tinh and Quang Nam became the first provinces to seize power in their provincial capitals, generating tremendous momentum across the country.

In Hanoi, on the afternoon of August 17, 1945, tens of thousands of people from the city’s urban and outlying areas joined a mass rally at the Hanoi Opera House, then marched through central streets, chanting “Support the Viet Minh!” and “Independence for Vietnam!” On August 18, 1945, red flags with yellow stars brightened many major streets. Events culminated on August 19, 1945, when the general uprising erupted with overwhelming momentum. Combat self-defense units and revolutionary crowds seized the Palace of the Imperial Commissioner for Tonkin, the Police Department, the Post Office, the Civil Guard barracks and other sites; the Bao Dai–Tran Trong Kim administration disintegrated. By the night of August 19, 1945, the revolutionary forces had taken full control of the capital.

In Hue, the Provincial Uprising Committee was established on August 20, 1945. Beginning on August 21, 1945, a series of demonstrations and shows of strength created an overwhelming advantage. On August 23, 1945, tens of thousands of people entered the city, occupied key government offices and peacefully seized power.

In Saigon–Gia Dinh, the Cochinchina Regional Party Committee set August 25, 1945, as the date of the uprising. That morning, groups of workers, farmers and young people from Gia Dinh, Bien Hoa, Thu Dau Mot and My Tho poured into the city center. The crowds occupied the Secret Police Department, the Police Department, the Post Office, the railway station, the power plant and other sites. The puppet administration quickly collapsed, and a revolutionary administration was established.

The resounding victories in the three major cities of Hanoi, Hue and Saigon had a powerful ripple effect. From cities to the countryside, from the lowlands to the highlands, and from the mainland to the islands, the uprising surged like a storm. On Con Dao—once known as “hell on earth,” where thousands of steadfast revolutionary fighters were imprisoned—upon learning of fascist Japan’s surrender and the spread of the General Uprising nationwide, the Party organization in the prison quickly met, organized forces and led the prisoners in revolt. On Phu Quoc, under the leadership of the Viet Minh organization, political prisoners and island residents also rose up to overthrow the pro-Japanese administration and establish a revolutionary administration. On many other islands, such as Ly Son, Cat Ba, Bach Long Vi, Hon Gai and Van Don, uprisings in response to the August General Uprising also gained strong momentum alongside those on the mainland, demonstrating the entire nation’s fervent patriotism, determination to be self-reliant and resilient, and aspiration for independence. Viet Minh organizations, self-defense forces and patriotic citizens quickly organized rallies and demonstrations, disarmed Civil Guard troops, occupied government offices and declared that power belonged to the people.

In just 15 days, from mid- to late August 1945, the General Uprising achieved complete victory nationwide. On August 30, 1945, Emperor Bao Dai announced his abdication, bringing a definitive end to the feudal system that had lasted for thousands of years.

On September 2, 1945, at historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, solemnly proclaiming to the world the Vietnamese nation’s rights to independence, freedom and equality: “Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and has in fact become a free and independent country. The entire Vietnamese nation is determined to mobilize all its spirit and strength, its lives and property, to safeguard that freedom and independence.” The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born, marking the beginning of a new era for the nation: an era of independence, freedom and control over the country’s destiny.

3. Reasons for Victory

The victory of the August Revolution of 1945 resulted from a combination of factors, most notably the close alignment of a favorable historical opportunity with thorough, systematic preparation and the wise, flexible leadership of the Party headed by President Ho Chi Minh.

First, that victory stemmed from the Party’s sound and timely leadership. The Party’s strategy for a national and people’s democratic revolution matched the aspirations of the vast majority of the people. The Party demonstrated strategic vision and outstanding practical organizational capabilities by directing the entire population to rise up at the right moment and quickly seize power nationwide, in the spirit of the declaration: “Even if we must burn the entire Truong Son Range, we must resolutely secure independence.”

Second, the victory of the August Revolution was the outcome of long-term, comprehensive preparation in politics, organization, ideology and armed forces. From the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement, the democratic campaigns and the anti-Japanese movement for national salvation to the establishment of the Viet Minh Front, the organization of armed units, the development of revolutionary bases and the expansion of mass forces, the Party made painstaking preparations to be ready to seize the opportunity. Taking the initiative to launch partial uprisings before the general uprising also demonstrated perceptiveness and flexibility in directing the revolution.

Third, the victory of the August Revolution resulted from the patriotism, tradition of resistance and burning aspirations for independence and freedom of the entire Vietnamese nation. Under the banner of unity of the Viet Minh Front, our people rose up as one across all three regions, from the lowlands to the uplands, from cities to rural areas, and from the mainland to the islands. This vividly demonstrated the strength of great national unity, an internal factor decisive to the revolution’s victory.

Fourth, the victory of the August Revolution came as World War II ended with the complete defeat of German and Japanese fascism. Our Party correctly assessed this “once-in-a-millennium” opportunity and called on the entire population to rise up in a general uprising to seize power nationwide.

4. Historical Significance

The success of the August Revolution of 1945 marked a major turning point in our nation’s history. That victory shattered the shackles of more than 80 years of French colonial enslavement and nearly five years of Japanese fascist rule, and toppled the feudal throne that had ruled our country for centuries, leading to the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam—a state in which working people were the masters.

The victory of the August Revolution marked a leap forward in the Vietnamese revolution, ushering in a new era for the nation: an era of independence and freedom; an era in which working people held power and became masters of the country and the nation’s destiny; and an era of national independence linked to socialism.

With the victory of the August Revolution, our Party became a ruling party, establishing the prerequisites for subsequent victories.

The August Revolution not only holds special significance in Vietnam’s history but also has epochal stature and profound international significance. Its victory strongly encouraged colonized peoples and oppressed forces worldwide to rise up and struggle for independence, freedom, democracy and social progress. Through that victory, the Vietnamese nation not only gained independence but also affirmed its position and development path in the course of modern world history.

II. Outstanding Achievements After 80 Years of National Construction, Defense and Development

1. Achieving Great Victories in the Struggles for National Liberation, Reunification and Defense, and Fulfilling International Obligations

Following the glorious victory of the August Revolution of 1945, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born amid severe hardships and challenges. The fledgling revolutionary government faced countless difficulties and dangers, with its fate “hanging by a thread” as internal enemies and foreign aggressors posed intertwined threats. In this situation, under the direct, wise and steadfast leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the entire Vietnamese nation united as one, fully harnessing its spirit of self-reliance, resilience, courage and creative intelligence to overcome the formidable trials of history.

During 1945-1946, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh led the entire population in simultaneously carrying out two tasks: building the revolutionary government and safeguarding the achievements of the August Revolution. The general election was successfully held on January 6, 1946, bringing the first National Assembly into being; the first democratic Constitution was promulgated; the revolutionary government was continually consolidated; vigorous campaigns were launched to eradicate illiteracy and defeat the “enemies of hunger,” “ignorance” and “foreign aggression”; and counterrevolutionary forces were suppressed. Facing French colonial plans for a second invasion, on the night of December 19, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Party Central Committee and the Government, issued the “Appeal for National Resistance,” declaring: “We would rather sacrifice everything than lose our country or be enslaved!”

Following a strategy of all-people, comprehensive and protracted resistance, combining military, political and diplomatic struggle while pursuing both resistance and nation-building, the Party led our people in progressively defeating French colonial strategies. The culmination was the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954—a great heroic epic that “resounded across the five continents and shook the globe”—which forced the French Government to sign the Geneva Accords recognizing our people’s fundamental national rights, bringing the nine-year resistance against French colonialism and American intervention to a victorious conclusion.

However, American imperialism subsequently intervened more deeply in the South, pursuing a scheme to divide our country permanently and turn the South into a neocolony. In response, under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the entire Party, people and armed forces resolutely undertook two strategic tasks: socialist revolution in the North to build a major rear base for the whole country, and national democratic revolution in the South to liberate the South and reunify the country. The resistance against American aggression for national salvation was a heroic epic of the Vietnamese nation in the 20th century. Through 21 years of protracted, arduous and heroic struggle (1954-1975), our Party led the people in both regions to achieve successive victories over the war strategies of American imperialism. The North fought against the war of destruction while striving to restore and develop its economy, fulfilling its role as the major rear base and continually providing support to the southern front. The Great Spring Victory of 1975, culminating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, brought the resistance against American aggression for national salvation to a complete and victorious conclusion, fully liberating the South and reunifying the country.

After reunification, our country continued to face enormous difficulties. On the one hand, we had to urgently address the severe consequences of more than three decades of war, stabilize people’s lives, consolidate the revolutionary government and build an independent, self-reliant economy. On the other hand, we fought to defend the borders and safeguard the Fatherland’s sacred independence and territorial sovereignty, while fulfilling the noble international obligation of helping the Cambodian people escape genocide and rebuild their country.

While steadfastly fighting to defend the Fatherland, our country also faced prolonged external encirclement and embargoes. Meanwhile, the centralized, bureaucratic, subsidy-based management mechanism was no longer appropriate, giving rise to numerous limitations and shortcomings in socioeconomic development. Under these difficult conditions, the Party maintained its leadership role, remained committed to the goal of national independence linked to socialism, harnessed the strength of great national unity, gradually overcame obstacles, rapidly restored the economy, and maintained sociopolitical stability and national sovereignty, laying the groundwork for a strategic shift in development thinking.

The ten years following reunification (1975-1985) were a period of considerable challenges. During this period, our Party gradually explored the path of renewal, and development thinking progressively took shape from the dynamic realities of the Vietnamese revolution. Both the achievements and the difficulties and limitations of this period provided valuable lessons, laying the ideological and practical foundations for the comprehensive Doi Moi (Renewal) process initiated by the Party in 1986.

2. Major Achievements of Historic Significance in Advancing the Country Toward Socialism

– A Nation with an Independent Political System and Territorial Sovereignty That Determines Its Own Development Path

The victory of the August Revolution of 1945 marked a great turning point in the history of the Vietnamese nation. The birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945—the first people’s democratic state in Southeast Asia—permanently abolished the feudal regime and ended more than 80 years of colonial domination. From that point, the Vietnamese nation entered an era of national independence linked to socialism.

Following that victory, on January 6, 1946, the first nationwide general election was held according to democratic and progressive principles, with people across the country electing 333 National Assembly deputies in whom they placed their trust. The first National Assembly adopted the 1946 Constitution, establishing the legal foundations of a new type of state and affirming a government of the people, by the people and for the people, fully empowered to represent the country on the international stage.

After three further decades of protracted resistance, culminating in the Great Spring Victory of 1975, the South was fully liberated and the country reunified. The 24th Plenum of the Party Central Committee (September 1975) set the task of completing national reunification at the state level. As a result, on April 25, 1976, more than 23 million voters (98.8% of the total) participated in the general election for a unified National Assembly for the entire country. At its first session, the National Assembly resolved to name the country the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, designate the red flag with a gold star as the national flag and “Tien quan ca” as the national anthem, and inscribe “Socialist Republic of Vietnam” on the national emblem. It also decided to designate Hanoi as the capital and rename Saigon City as Ho Chi Minh City.

The completion of national reunification at the state level created the fundamental political conditions for mobilizing and harnessing the strength of the entire nation, paving the way for building and defending the Fatherland in the new era. It affirmed the Vietnamese people’s right to self-determination in steadfastly pursuing national independence linked to socialism and building a prosperous, civilized and powerful country.

– An increasingly clear understanding of socialism and the path toward socialism

Since its founding in February 1930, the Communist Party of Vietnam has remained steadfast on the socialist path. The first Political Platform, adopted by the Party’s founding conference, set the strategic objective of “making Vietnam completely independent” in order to “advance toward a communist society.” Subsequently, the Political Theses of October 1930 stated that the Vietnamese revolution would “bypass the capitalist stage and advance directly along the socialist path.” The victory of the August Revolution of 1945, under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, abolished colonial and feudal rule and ushered in an era of national independence linked to socialism—an era in which the people are masters of society and their own lives.

At the second National Party Congress (February 1951), the Theses on the Vietnamese Revolution presented, for the first time, the conditions and directions for the transition to socialism. Through two decades of war for liberation and resistance to defend the Fatherland, this understanding continued to be consolidated and developed. The turning point of comprehensive renewal initiated by the sixth National Party Congress (December 1986) was given a theoretical framework through the creative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, together with a review of domestic revolutionary practice, laying the foundation for new thinking on the transition period.

The Platform for National Construction in the Period of Transition to Socialism, adopted by the seventh National Party Congress (June 1991), and the Platform (supplemented and developed in 2011), approved by the 11th National Party Congress, marked important milestones in the refinement of theory. The eight characteristics of a socialist society identified in the Platform (supplemented and developed in 2011) helped the Party gain a deeper understanding of socialist democracy and the people’s right to mastery; the goal of rapid and sustainable development, with the quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy at its core; people and culture as the spiritual foundation and endogenous resources for development; and the strength of great national unity linked to expanding international relations and combining national strength with the strength of the times.

From the seventh to the 13th National Party Congress, the renewal policy was supplemented and refined, continuing to affirm steadfast adherence to Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought as the ideological foundation and guide for all action. It also emphasized the need for coordinated, comprehensive renewal in every field while maintaining the socialist orientation.

The achievements of renewal over nearly four decades demonstrate the soundness and creativity of Vietnam’s socialist path: the economy has maintained a relatively high growth rate, people’s living standards have improved markedly, and the country’s international standing and reputation have continued to rise. These results affirm that the path toward socialism accords with Vietnam’s realities and the development trends of the era, while also demonstrating an increasingly clear theoretical understanding of socialism and the transition period under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

– The economy has overcome stagnation, crisis and underdevelopment, and the country has become a middle-income developing country

The 1945-1954 period marked the initial construction of a new economy in Vietnam and was also the most arduous period in the country’s development history. Having just seized power and then having to enter a protracted resistance war against French colonialism, the country undertook economic construction and transformation under extremely difficult conditions. Under the Party’s leadership, we gradually transformed the backward, dependent economy inherited from the colonial and feudal regimes into a democratic, independent economy directly serving resistance and national construction.

From 1955 to 1975, the country was divided into two regions with two different socioeconomic models. In the North, our Party and State led the implementation of economic tasks appropriate to each period: from recovery and healing the wounds of war (1955-1957), to completing land reform and transforming relations of production along socialist lines (1958-1960), and then to economic development closely combined with the task of building a major rear base for the southern front amid fierce warfare (1961-1975).

During 1976-1985, following national reunification, the entire country advanced toward socialism together. Economic transformation, construction and development were identified as the central tasks of the entire Party, people and armed forces during this period. People across the country actively implemented the second five-year plan (1976-1980) and the third five-year plan (1981-1985). Although some initial results were achieved in restoring production and building material and technical infrastructure, the economy as a whole still had many weaknesses. The limitations of the prolonged centralized, subsidy-based management mechanism, together with external difficulties, caused economic stagnation and imbalances, and even signs of a severe crisis.

In response to pressing practical needs, beginning in 1986, our Party initiated and led comprehensive national renewal, starting with a renewal of economic thinking. Through the gradual abolition of the subsidy-based mechanism, the development of a multi-sector economy, and the operation of a market mechanism under State management with a socialist orientation, our country’s economy underwent positive changes. By 1995, all major targets of the five-year plan (1991-1995) had been met or exceeded, bringing the country out of socioeconomic crisis and creating momentum for a new stage of development and accelerated industrialization and modernization.

From a poor and backward country suffering the severe consequences of war, encirclement and embargoes, Vietnam gradually rose to become a middle-income developing country. As of 2024, Vietnam’s economy ranked 32nd in the world by size and was among the top 20 economies in trade and foreign investment attraction. These achievements vividly demonstrate the stature, intellect and resolve of our Party, State and people in overcoming difficulties, mobilizing internal resources, seizing opportunities, pursuing deep and broad integration, and developing sustainably.

– Culture has developed in diverse and rich forms, with national, scientific and popular characteristics across all areas of social life, becoming a resource for national development

The Party, State and people have gained an increasingly comprehensive and deeper understanding of culture’s role in building and defending the Fatherland. Efforts to build and develop Vietnamese culture and people have seen positive changes and achieved important results. Theoretical thinking on culture has advanced, and cultural awareness has increased at all levels, across all sectors and among the entire population. People’s cultural lives have become increasingly rich, many traditional national cultural values have been promoted, and many new cultural and ethical standards have taken shape. Cultural, literary and artistic products have become increasingly rich and diverse; information technology, particularly mass communications, has developed strongly. Many cultural movements and activities have achieved concrete, practical results, promoting the cultural traditions of families, clans and communities… Broader public participation in cultural activities has continued to expand, contributing significantly to the development of cultural institutions. Many tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets have been preserved and restored; many customs and practices of ethnic minority communities have been researched, collected and revived; and attention has been given to people’s belief-related, religious and spiritual cultural activities. State management of culture has been strengthened, and the institutional framework for culture has gradually been refined. The cultural and artistic workforce has grown in capability, and writers’ and artists’ freedom of creativity has been respected. Cultural exchanges and international cooperation have seen many positive developments.

– A system of social policies has been established and increasingly refined

From 1986 to the present, alongside the implementation of comprehensive national renewal, the social sector has achieved many important results, contributing to sociopolitical stability and improving people’s quality of life. Our Party’s understanding of and perspectives on social policy have been increasingly refined and developed into a coherent system with the following core principles: economic growth must always go hand in hand with social progress and equity; development must serve people and place them at its center.

Sound, humane social policies dedicated to people’s happiness are recognized not only as a goal but also as a powerful driving force that awakens and harnesses all creative potential throughout society and builds broad consensus in the process of building socialism. Our Party clearly affirms the responsibility of society as a whole, the entire political system and every citizen for implementing social policies and addressing social issues through substantially broader participation across society, with the State playing the core role, ensuring equity, effectiveness and sustainability.

These orientations aim to build a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable social security system in which everyone is guaranteed security in income, employment, health, education, housing and basic services, thereby affirming the superior nature of our system and strengthening public confidence in the Party’s leadership and the State’s management of national development.

– Firmly safeguarding the Fatherland’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and national interests; protecting the Party, State, people and socialist system; and maintaining national security, sociopolitical stability, social order and safety, and a peaceful environment in order to focus on national construction and development

Firmly defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland is a vital, ongoing task of our entire Party, people and armed forces, and a fundamental prerequisite for preserving revolutionary achievements and ensuring a peaceful, stable environment for rapid and sustainable national development. This is also one of the greatest, most comprehensive and most enduring achievements in defense and security over the past 80 years.

Under the Party’s absolute and direct leadership in all aspects, the State’s unified management and the solidarity of the entire nation, we have resolutely and persistently upheld independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, firmly safeguarding the national borders and the Fatherland’s sacred seas and islands. At the same time, we have consistently maintained the strategic initiative, responding flexibly and creatively to complex and sensitive defense and security situations, and foiling all subversive plots and schemes of hostile and reactionary forces, especially in cyberspace and in the fields of ideology, culture, ethnicity, religion and human rights.

Political security and social order and safety have been maintained, ensuring a peaceful environment and long-term stability for national development. The all-people national defense posture, linked with the people’s security posture, has become increasingly solid, developed in a coordinated and effective manner from the central to the grassroots level. The country’s defense capabilities, especially in strategically important areas, have been increasingly strengthened. The people’s armed forces have been continually strengthened, becoming regular, elite and progressively modern, while remaining absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, Party, State and people.

Vietnam remains steadfast in its policy of all-people national defense, with a defense posture that is peaceful and defensive in nature, neither joining military alliances nor allowing foreign countries to establish military bases, and neither using force nor threatening to use force in international relations. This policy has enhanced Vietnam’s international standing and reputation, helped strengthen strategic trust, and built the image of a peace-loving, responsible country that proactively pursues integration and defense and security cooperation and protects national interests through its combined strength. In particular, in the face of growing nontraditional security challenges (epidemics, natural disasters, climate change, terrorism, cybersecurity…), we have enhanced response capabilities, effectively coordinated resources, and mobilized the combined strength of the entire political system and population to maintain stability, strengthen confidence and establish a solid foundation for national renewal and development.

The outstanding achievements in defending the Fatherland over the past 80 years consist not only of safeguarding sacred territorial sovereignty but also of maintaining the socialist orientation and protecting the Party, State, people and system, while enhancing Vietnam’s position and strength to pursue deeper and broader integration, enhance its standing and reputation internationally, and affirm the resolve and intellect of a resilient, independent and creative nation in the new era.

– External relations have helped maintain and consolidate a peaceful, stable environment, uphold independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protect the socialist system

Immediately after the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh promptly formulated an independent, self-reliant and flexible foreign policy, securing the greatest possible support from international friends to protect the fledgling revolutionary government. During the resistance war against French colonial aggression, Vietnamese diplomacy steadfastly pursued the principle of “using a just cause to overcome brute power,” skillfully combining military struggle with political and diplomatic struggle to build broad public support for our people’s just resistance.

Since the early 1950s, external relations have been conducted systematically through three mutually reinforcing channels: Party external relations, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. This interconnected coordination mechanism diversified approaches to mobilizing international support, contributing significantly to victory in the struggle for national liberation and reunification and, subsequently, to the construction of socialism. Entering the renewal period amid profound changes in the world order, the 7th National Party Congress (1991) established the guiding principle of “multilateralization and diversification” in the spirit that Vietnam wishes to be a friend and reliable partner of all countries, striving for peace, independence and development. The 9th National Party Congress and subsequent congresses continued to affirm an independent, self-reliant and open foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification, taking national interests and peace, cooperation and development as common ground.

By steadfastly pursuing this policy, Vietnam has normalized and advanced relations with key partners, joined ASEAN, the WTO and the CPTPP, and signed the EVFTA and RCEP…; established a global network of partners; established and maintained diplomatic relations with 194/194 United Nations member states; established and upgraded numerous relationships to strategic and comprehensive partnerships; established friendly relations and extensive cooperation with the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, all G7 countries and 17/20 G20 countries; affirmed its role and reputation in multilateral forums; actively participated in peacekeeping forces; and effectively conducted economic and cultural diplomacy…, contributing significantly to maintaining a peaceful environment, protecting sovereignty and promoting socioeconomic development.

3. Building and Refining the Socialist Rule-of-Law State

Following the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam) and laying the initial foundations for a new type of state in our country—the socialist rule-of-law State.

The 1946 Constitution—our country’s first democratic constitution—clearly expressed the requirement for a democratic state governed by the rule of law. Ho Chi Minh’s thought on the rule-of-law State was affirmed from that time: constituent power belongs to the people; the state apparatus must serve as an instrument for realizing the people’s will and aspirations; and officials and civil servants must not be “revolutionary mandarins” but “servants of the people,” making people’s happiness the goal of their service. The law is not an instrument of punishment but a means of protecting the people’s legitimate rights and interests.

The Party has carried forward and gradually refined this core thought throughout its leadership of the revolution. The 7th National Party Congress (1991) and the Platform for National Construction During the Transition to Socialism identified, for the first time, the fundamental characteristics of the socialist rule-of-law State: state power is unified, but there is a clear division among the legislative, executive and judicial branches. The Midterm National Party Conference during the seventh term (1994) formally incorporated the task of building a socialist rule-of-law State into Party documents. The 9th (2001) and 10th (2006) National Party Congresses continued to affirm and further develop this content.

At the 11th National Party Congress (2011), the Platform (supplemented and developed in 2011) specified that Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law State is a State of the people, by the people and for the people, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam; state power is unified, with a division of responsibilities, coordination and checks among the legislative, executive and judicial branches. These orientations were given concrete expression in the 2013 Constitution and numerous important laws on the organization of the state apparatus. The 13th National Party Congress (2021) continued to affirm clearly that building and refining Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law State of the people, by the people and for the people, under the Party’s leadership, is a central task in renewing the political system.

Through successive National Party Congresses and its practical experience of leadership, the Party has continued to supplement and develop its understanding and theoretical thinking on building Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law State in an increasingly comprehensive and profound manner. Accordingly, Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law State not only embraces humanity’s shared progressive values but also embodies characteristics suited to Vietnam’s specific conditions. The 2013 Constitution fully articulates the fundamental principles of Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law State, from its nature, organizational principles, operational structure and allocation of state power to the role of law in society and the Party’s leadership.

The building of Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law State under the Party’s leadership has achieved highly significant results. The theoretical understanding of this model of the State has become increasingly complete and consistent. The legal system has become increasingly coordinated and unified, ensuring its practical enforceability. The role of law and law enforcement are accorded importance in the activities of the entire political system and in social life.

The mechanisms for allocating responsibilities, coordinating activities and exercising checks among state agencies in the exercise of legislative, executive and judicial powers have become increasingly clear and effective. The state apparatus has been streamlined and operates with increasing effectiveness and efficiency. The National Assembly continues to renew its organization and operations, improving the quality of legislation, oversight and decisions on important national issues. The Government has been active and proactive in its administration, focusing on macro-level management, administrative reform and removing bottlenecks to serve national development. Judicial reform has been accelerated; judicial agencies have gradually improved their organization and the quality of their operations, ensuring adherence to rule-of-law principles in adjudication and the administration of justice. Human rights and citizens’ rights are enshrined in the Constitution, increasingly given concrete expression in law and effectively implemented in practice. Representative democracy and direct democracy continue to be promoted. The Vietnam Fatherland Front and sociopolitical organizations have gradually renewed their methods of operation, making practical contributions to the exercise of the people’s right to mastery.

The model of Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law State, based on the principle that “the Party leads, the State manages and the people exercise mastery,” is being increasingly refined, becoming a solid foundation contributing to the immense achievements of historic significance in the renewal, construction and defense of the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

III. Building on the Achievements and Experience of the Past 80 Years, Continuing to Advance Comprehensive and Coordinated Renewal, and Taking the Country Confidently into a New Era of Wealth, Strength, Civilization and Prosperity

The entire Party, people and armed forces are striving to implement the Platform (supplemented and developed in 2011), the 2013 Constitution, the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the latest resolutions of the Party Central Committee—with a focus on “three strategic breakthroughs, six key tasks and 12 major groups of solutions”—to advance comprehensive and coordinated renewal; resolutely uphold independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and protect the Party, the State, the people and the socialist system; maintain a peaceful and stable environment and fully harness all resources and drivers, particularly science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, for rapid and sustainable development; continually improve people’s lives; narrow the gap with advanced countries in the region and enhance the country’s international standing; and strive to soon make Vietnam an industrialized country moving toward modernity and advance to the status of a modern industrialized country by the middle of the 21st century.

Vietnam today enters a new era—an era of national development characterized by wealth, strength, civilization and prosperity—with intertwined opportunities and challenges. Building on the valuable lessons of the victory of the August Revolution of 1945, the entire Party, people and armed forces stand united in their determination to build a prosperous and happy country and fulfill President Ho Chi Minh’s sacred Testament: “… to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic, wealthy and strong Vietnam…”. To turn this aspiration into reality, it is necessary to remain steadfast in, creatively apply and develop Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought and the theory of the renewal policy; remain steadfast in the goals of national independence and socialism; remain steadfast in advancing comprehensive and coordinated renewal; and uphold the principles of Party building. Reviewing practical experience and conducting theoretical research must be closely linked with formulating and implementing the Party’s guidelines and policies and the State’s policies and laws to build and firmly defend the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland. At the same time, it is necessary to unleash all productive capacity, unlock all resources and fully harness the country’s potential and strengths, including the following:

– Prioritize building a coordinated institutional framework for development, removing bottlenecks and obstacles, and unlocking and mobilizing all resources to drive breakthrough national development; ensure coordination and harmony between renewing and improving the institutions of the socialist-oriented market economy and improving political institutions, as well as renewing and improving social, cultural, ecological and environmental protection, defense, security and foreign affairs institutions to meet the requirements of rapid and sustainable national development.

– Continue to advance the building and rectification of the Party and political system to ensure their integrity and comprehensive strength; renew the Party’s methods in a coordinated manner and enhance its leadership and governing capacity over the State and society, particularly in building Vietnam’s socialist rule-of-law State, with a focus on building a clean, strong and streamlined organizational apparatus for the political system that operates effectively and efficiently. Build a contingent of officials and Party members at all levels, particularly the strategic level, who truly possess integrity and competence commensurate with their tasks. Strengthen checks on power within the Party and the State; continue to intensify efforts to prevent and combat corruption, waste and misconduct; and consolidate the people’s trust in and attachment to the Party, the State and the socialist system.

– Continue to advance the development of a modern, internationally integrated socialist-oriented market economy that meets the requirements of developing new productive forces; accelerate the transformation of the growth model, economic restructuring, industrialization and modernization, with science, technology and innovation as the primary drivers for improving the economy’s productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness. Accelerate the development and effective promotion of digital transformation, the green transition and the energy transition. Develop the digital, green and circular economies. Build a digital government and a digital society.

– Focus on formulating, refining and effectively implementing a strategy for science, technology and innovation development, in coordination with building and improving institutions for science, technology and innovation, to lay the foundation for developing new, modern productive forces; intensify the training and utilization of high-quality, highly qualified human resources, creating a key driver for improving the productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of products, businesses and the economy.

– Develop human resources and culture so that they truly become a foundation, an endogenous strength and a major driver of the country’s rapid and sustainable development. Continue coordinated, fundamental and comprehensive reform, modernization and quality improvement of the national education system. Accelerate the renewal of management methods for sustainable social development, ensuring human rights and citizens’ rights; effectively implement policies on social issues, social security and social welfare.

– Advance coordinated, creative and effective foreign affairs activities; elevate and promote the roles of Party external relations, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy in creating an environment of peace, stability, friendship and cooperation, providing favorable conditions for national development. Continue to build revolutionary, regular, elite and modern People’s Army and People’s Public Security forces, firmly safeguarding the country’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, seas and islands.

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Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as the entire Party, people and armed forces enthusiastically participate in emulation movements to welcome the 14th National Party Congress, is an opportunity for us to deepen our appreciation of the immense historical significance of those autumn days in 1945—when our nation rose up to claim its human rights and mastery of the country. It is also a reminder of our responsibilities today: to carry forward our forebears’ indomitable spirit and aspirations for independence, freedom and happiness; foster Vietnamese resolve and intellect; pursue vigorous renewal and ceaseless innovation; and remain determined to realize the aspiration to build a comprehensively and sustainably developed Vietnam in the new era.

Central Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.