Since that Autumn, Vietnam has grown far!

Eighty years have passed since the historic Autumn of 1945. However, the spirit of the August Revolution still echoes in the history of the nation, engraved in the heart of every Vietnamese the pride of a heroic and indomitable nation. That nation rose up to regain the right to live, the right to freedom, the right to independence for itself and opened a new era - national independence associated with socialism. Today, that nation is reaching far on the journey to stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents.

The August days were boiling in the capital Hanoi . The August Revolution opened a new era in Vietnam, the era when the Vietnamese people were masters of the country and their own destiny. Photo: VNA

Going back in history before the August Revolution in 1945, the country was in misery, the people lived in a state of "double slavery". People lost their country, their homes, and their right to be human. Sorrow and humiliation covered the entire nation. The most miserable was the At Dau famine in 1945 caused by natural disasters and the exploitation and economic plundering policies of the fascists and colonialists, which took the lives of more than two million people. In the old Thai Binh province alone, where the famine was most severe, the whole province starved to death, losing 280,000 people. In the old Nam Dinh province, more than 210,000 people starved to death.

In that context, the Communist Party of Vietnam under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh seized the opportunity, gathered the strength of the entire people, organized the August General Uprising in 1945 and won. That victory gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, bringing our people from the status of slaves to masters.

President Ho Chi Minh called this great event “an extremely great change in the history of our country”.

Immediately after independence, the young government had to face countless challenges. Famine, ignorance and foreign invaders were raging at the same time. However, with courage, aspiration and intelligence, the Party, the Government and President Ho Chi Minh called on the entire people to unite and overcome all difficulties. From “Rice jars to relieve hunger”, “Golden Week”, to popular education and national resistance…, all of them gradually protected the revolutionary government, built the foundation for an independent, autonomous and developed nation.

From the fall of 1945 until now, our nation has gone through 80 years full of hardships but also brilliant and heroic. For nearly three decades, the entire nation under the leadership of the Party has steadfastly defeated colonialism and imperialism, maintaining independence and unifying the country. Entering the period of Renovation in 1986 until now, the country continues to make great achievements, affirming its mettle, intelligence and aspiration to rise up.

From a poor, backward, low-level, besieged and embargoed economy, Vietnam has become one of the 34 largest economies in the world, with its economic scale increasing nearly 100 times compared to 1986, and its average income per capita increasing from under 100 USD to nearly 5,000 USD.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that in 4 years (2029), Vietnam will be the 32nd largest economy in the world. The Center for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) predicts that by 2036, Vietnam will become the 20th largest economy in the world. International organizations all agree that Vietnam's economic growth story is nothing less than "a miracle".

Not only has Vietnam grown impressively and maintained political and social stability, it has also improved people's lives, built prestige and position in the international arena, become a strategic friend of major powers and is responsible for global peace and cooperation.

The TDTU INSPIRE Library of Ton Duc Thang University in Ho Chi Minh City with services modeled after the libraries of the world's TOP 100 universities aims to maximize access and exploitation of all available resources at the library. Photo: Phuong Vy/VNA

However, the road ahead is not smooth. The risk of middle-income trap, low labor productivity, climate change, population aging, social inequality and non-traditional security are posing great challenges. Although administrative reform has been promoted, it is still reflected as cumbersome and inflexible. The business environment is not really open, and the private economic sector still faces barriers.

More worryingly, the state of bureaucracy, corruption and negativity among a number of cadres and party members has affected the prestige and strength of the Party and the State. Major cases in recent times are a warning of the unpredictable consequences if this disease is not cured at its root.

The aspiration to bring Vietnam into the ranks of developed countries by 2045 - a century of independence - is urging the entire Party, people and army to act.

To realize that aspiration, today, the country is resolutely implementing strategic reforms. Streamlining the apparatus, implementing two-level local government, and merging many provinces and cities is creating new momentum for the economy. This strong political determination demonstrates the strategic vision of the Party and State in creating a modern, effective development model in line with global trends.

The Laboratory Department of Buon Ma Thuot University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital (Dak Lak province) has applied a fully automated process from patient registration, code issuance to test sample processing. Photo: VNA

Today, promoting science, technology and innovation together with the strong development of the private economic sector are considered important keys, creating a foundation for rapid, sustainable and inclusive development. The will to be self-reliant, the spirit of solidarity, the courage to overcome difficulties and the aspiration to rise up - the values ​​that were fostered since the revolutionary autumn of 1945, continue to be the driving force on the journey of nation building.

The renovation process continues to be carried out with new determination, new position and strength, and new stature. Our Party and the entire political system and people are always steadfast in the goal of serving the country and the people; aiming to successfully achieve the two 100-year goals set by the Party.

Traffic police officers and soldiers monitor traffic 24/7 using AI cameras at the command information center of the Traffic Police Department, Ministry of Public Security. Photo: Pham Kien/VNA

And as General Secretary To Lam affirmed, the heroic spirit of the August Revolution and the victories and achievements on the journey of founding and defending the country have shown a profound lesson: "To overcome all challenges, we must maintain solidarity, unity of will and action, and take the interests of the nation and people as paramount."

Today, August 19, 2025, our nation is once again facing a new historical turning point. If 80 years ago was the turning point in regaining independence, then today is the beginning of the journey to realize the aspiration for greatness. The August Revolution will forever be an immortal epic reminding every Vietnamese person of the responsibility to continue and promote the glorious tradition, join hands and unite to take the country far on the journey to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world powers as Uncle Ho wished.

Hanh Quynh (Vietnam News Agency)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/tu-mua-thu-ay-viet-nam-vuon-xa-20250819074505280.htm