Communist Review - 45 years ago, at 11:30 AM on April 30^th, 1975, the flag of Liberation Army flew over the roof of the Independence Palace, which marked a resplendent milestone in the history of fighting against foreign aggression of Vietnamese people, put an end to Anti-American Resistance War for National Salvation successfully and saved the country of Vietnamese people. The victory on April 30^th, 1975 is the immortal epic of the Vietnamese people’ war in Ho Chi Minh era, a great victory in the career of national liberation in 21^th  century, which was led by the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. This victory continues to write the heroic history pages in the process of building and defending the country through thoudsand-year history.

After the victory of Dien Bien Phu Campaign, the Geneva Agreement was signed, Vietnam was temporarily divided into two regions: The North both strived for building socialism and made attempts to fulfil the duty of the major rear towards the front line. In the South, the U.S. Imperialism replaced the French Colonialism, implementing intentional invasion, establishing a government of henchmen, trying to suppress, massacring Vietnamese people and resistance forces, imposing the new colonialism-dominated regime. With the sprit “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”, “the South and the North are in one house”, “the South is the flesh and blood of Vietnam”, the whole people of Vietnam were firm and determined to overcome all hardships, sacrificed and sticked to the struggle of 21 on-end years against the American imperialist invasion. Under the leadership of CPV and President Ho Chi Minh, the Northern great rear and the Southern great front line builded political army of the public and people’ armed forces to become more solidly-based. On that basis, we combined military struggle with political and diplomatic struggle; mass insurrection with revolutionary war; rebellion and attacks on enemy forces in all three strategic regions, including moutainous, rural, delta and urban areas, with three spearhead-attack (military and political action and propaganda and agitation among enemy troops). As a result, Vietnam defeated strategies of American imperialist war: “Unilateral war” (from 1954 to 1960), “Special war” (from 1961 to 1965), “Local warfare” in the South, and the first military aviation and naval war to the North (from 1965 to 1968). Promoting the spirit of solidarity to fight against common enemies of three Indochinese countries (Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia), the Vietnamese army force and people steadfastly fought and defeated “Vietnamized war strategy” and the second military aviation and naval war of the US empire to the North (from 1969 to 1973), generating strength at Paris Conference on Vietnam, promoting the signing of the “Paris Agreement on finalizing the war and restoring peace in Vietnam” (January 27^th, 1973). In particular, from the end of 1973 to April 30^th, 1975, the Vietnamese army force and people took a strategic opportunity to create a superior position and power to the enemy, conducting the General offensive and rebellion in Spring in 1975, completely disintegrating Saigon army and government, successfully ending Anti-American Resistance War for National Salvation, entirely liberating the South and reunifying the country.

The victory on April 30^th, 1975 engraved in national history, affirming its great stature, demonstrating the will of independence, self-control, self-help for self-improvement and the desire for peace of the whole nation, marking the decisive turning point to bring Vietnam into the era of independence and unity, moving forward to construct socialism by the whole nation. For the world, it was a typical victory of revolutionary forces, contributing to strongly promote the struggle of the world people for national independence, peace, democracy and social advancement; encouraging people fighting for liberation from enslavement of imperialism, beginning the new colonialism’s collapse all around the world. The great victory of the war against anti-American resistance for national salvation  has left the Vietnamese people invaluable lessions, of great significance for today and coming generations. That victory is the result of many factors, of which the strength of great national solidarity is  fundamental and important. The origin of all these factors is the ingenious and lucid leadership of Communist Party of Vietnam within political and military guideline that is independent, autonomous, right and creative. On the foundation of great national solidarity, our Party has made accurate and lucid decision on basis of analyzing and properly assessing international and domestic situation, and  the corelation of both forces in order to properly determine historical opportunity, make resolution to launch the general attack and rebellion in Spring of 1975. This defeated the army of South Vietnam, winning the complete victory in the shortest period of time. Making historic decisions demonstrates strategic, intelligent and creative talent of Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee,  the Central Party Committee of the military forces and the General Headquarters of the Vietnam People's Army. The giudlines and policies of the Communist Party of Vietnam reflected the will and aspiration for national independence and freedom. This is considered as a flag gathering unity among all classes of Vietnamese people, making a historic turning point for the people to achieve the final victory, national liberation and unification.

The victory of April 30^th, 1975 stems from the spirit of  longing for independence, freedom, peace and unity of the entire nation, which has both historical and epoch-making signigicance, clearly shows the bravery, wisdom and the will of “Lac Hong blood”, never submitting to the invading enemy. At once, it affirms the truth: These days, when the world revolutionary forces are on the offensive, a country where its land is not large, its population is not crowded; however, with close unity and resolute struggle under the leadership of a true Marxist Party with the right revolutionary guidelines and methods, holding the banner of national independence and socialism high, receiving the consent, support and help of socialist countries, international revolutonary forces and progressive people, we could completely defeat every invading imperialist country, even if it might be the greatest power.

*

*     *

Currently, the cause of renewing, constructing and defending the homeland of Vietnamese people under the leadership is facing both opportunities and challenges. The regional and international context is changing: The situation of South China Sea has  always implicitly complicated happenings and the risk of insecurity; the major powers continues to increase engagement, influence rivalry with different levels and scales in the region; local wars, religious and armed conflicts, terrorist activities still take place, resulting in regional and international insecurity. Non-traditional security challenges, such as cyber, water and food security, environmental pollution and degradation, climate change, natural calamities, epidemics, drug trafficking, illegal migration, transnational crimes,… are becoming challenges of countries in the world. Hostitle forces continue intensifying the resistance against the Party and State, carrying out “peaceful evolution”, promoting “self-evolution”, “self-transformation” internally and demanding “military depoliticization” with increasingly sophisticated and cunning modes and tricks.

The aforementioned situations require strengthening solidarity, bringing in to play the collective power of entire Party, people and Army in the cause of national construction and defense, especially, effectively applying lessions learned from the Victory of April 30^th, 1975; taking advantage of opportunities of building and developing Vietnam in the modern direction. Continuing to grasp thoroughly, seriously and effectively implement new guidelines of CPV: Developing national economy is the central task, building CPV is the key, deveeloping culture is spiritual foundation of the society; strengthening national defense and security is a vital and regular task; closely combining economic, cultural, social development with strengthening defense, security and foreign affairs. Among which, concentrating on carrying out some of the following tasks and solutions well:

Firstly, keeping firmly in the goal of national independence and socialism, seriously and effectively implementing the Party’s guidelines and policies.

This is the prerequisite and driving force for the successful implementation of national construction and defense in the new situation. To accomplish that goal, we need to thoroughly grasp, seriously implement Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW, October 22^nd, 2018 of the Politburo on “Strengthening the defense of the CPV’s ideological foundation, fighting against opposing wrong and hostile views in the new situation”, Instruction No. 35/CT-TW on October 30^th , 2019 of the Politburo “Regarding the National Congress of the Party at all levels to the XIII National CPV’s Congress of delegates”…, this is considered as an important foundation for the Party to plan the direction of guidelines and policies in the leadership through revolutionary stages in order to put Vietnam firmly on the chosen path. Fully discerning and defending ideological foundation of the Party is the same as protecting our Party, political platform, leadership guidelines; defending the people, jurisdiction – ruled socialist state, innovation undertaking, national industrialization, modernization and international integration; defending national interests; preserving a peaceful and stable environment for national construction and development. Besides, we need to strengthen national solidarity and unity among internal Party and people on the basis of revolutionary targets and missions; focusing on organizing the successful implementation of the Resolution of the XII National Congress of the Party and other resolutions and instructions of the Central Executive Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat. Additionally, we need to promote building and reorganizing the Party in the spirit of Resolution of the 4^th Central Conference Session, sticked to the implementation of Instruction No. 05-CT/TW on May 15^th, 2016 of Politburo “On promoting studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, mortality and style”.

In the immediate future, it is necessary to focus on leading and supplying the concrete guidance of successful organizing the Party congress at all levels, towards the XIII National Congress of the Party, creating political activities, further revolutionary action movement in the whole political system under the CPV’s leadership. In the course of implementation, strategic objectives and principles must be determined, flexible in strategies; combining both cooperation and struggle, keeping resolute and persitent in struggle; firmly defending independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, national interests is the ultimate goal; firmly preserving peaceful and stable environment to construct and develop a strong, democratic, fair and civilized country. At the same time, proactively fighting to defeat opposing intention and tricks of all enemy forces; keeping firmly to fight against manifestations of bureaucracy, corruption, degration, negative effects and social evils,… ensuring national stability and developing in the context of wider and deeper international integration.

Stepping up constructing and reorganizing the Party; building a contigent of cadres, especially those at strategic level to meet requirements  and missions in the new situation. Thereby, gathering forces, creating political and spiritual impetus, promoting the wisdom and strength of entire people to successfully carry out the cause of national construction and defense.

Secondly, closely combining economic – social development with national defense and security consolidation, creating potentials and material foundations to build and defend the country.

Inheriting the great achievements of the revolution of the victory April 30^th, 1975, these days, the task of our entire Party, people and army that becomes the centre of gravity and shoots through is to actively give our mind to improving economic – social development, enhancing people’ life quality, especially in border and remote areas. That is the national legitimate aspiration, which is as sacred and intense as the will to gain independence and unify the nation during war years. In 2019, despite facing many difficulties and challenges, the Party, State and Vietnamese people have made great efforts to obtain outstanding achievements, marking the national comprehensive development in almost all fields. However, in 2020, Vietnam will also cope up with challenges such as drought, saltwater intrusion, and completely unsolved African swine fever; especially the epidemic of acute respiratory infections caused by a new strain of Corona virus (Covid-19) has been complicated and spread in global scale.

On the basis of achievements in 2019, the entire Party, people and army continue to make the most of opportunities, overcome difficulties and challenges, be proactive, dynamic and creative to achieve higher overall results. Vietnam continues to maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation, improve productivity, quality, efficiency, autonomy and competitiveness of the economy. Vietnam implements synchronously and consistently national defense construction, firm all-people defense and security disposition, among which, attach an importance to project, design, construct “dual use” and “underground” traffic works, irrigation, urban works, especially in key areas; well implementing programs and plans on marine and coastal economic development in association with ensuring national defense and security; adopting policies supporting and protecting offshore fishmen in association with sovereignty, territorial, maritime and island preservation. It continues to well implement construction scheme, develop economic-defense zones till 2025, with an orientation to 2030, ensure compliance with strategies, defense and security schemes and projecting defense land. At the same time, it continues to supplement and complete preferential mechanisms and policies for military units and enterprises performing the task of combining defense, security with economy in strategic areas and special regions, deprived areas, borders, islands, contributing to create a firm position to protect the Homeland from afar.

Third, Vietnam promotes national power in combination with the power of age in the cause of building and defending the Homeland.

An important factor making the Victory April 30^th, 1975 is the comprehensive power of great national unity bloc and all-people strength. During the process of leading the revolution, the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh always paid special attention and bring into play national strength, determine this as a consistent policy creating internal strength to win the victory.

Therefore, we need to promote political and ideological education, keep firmly the spirit of national independence, autonomy, patriotism and pride; promoting internal strength and making the most of domestic and international resources; harmoniously dealing with internal and foreign affairs. Promoting the strength of great national unity bloc in today’s world is to continue precious national tradition. President Ho Chi Minh once affirmed: “solidarity, solidarity, great solidarity; success, success, great success”. In that spirit, we have to expand democracy, listen to people’s opinions and aspiration, creating a high unity among the Party, the State and the people, making the people close-knit with the Party, the Government and Vietnam People’s Army. Currently consolidating and strengthening the great unity bloc must be asscociated with ensuring interests, paying attention to the legitimate aspirations of people; bringing in to play people’s right to master the country, ensuring people are masters of the country indeed, which is stipulated by the Consituation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In the context of increasingly wide and deep international integration, national power must be closely sticked to the power of times. Thus, it is necessary to focus on thoroughly grasping and consistently implementing the Party’s foreign policy with the motto of multilateralization, diversification, proactively wide and deep international integration, towards promoting promoting and raising multilateral and bilateral diplomacy; “Vietnam as a friend, a reliable partner, a responsible member of international community”. Through that, Vietnam makes the most of resources, taking advantages of of international community’s consensus and support, creating a peaceful environment and favorable conditions to build and defend the Homeland. Vietnam consistently implements foreign policy of independence, autonomy, mulilateralization, diversification of relations, keeps firmly peaceful and stable environment for the development and defense of independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, enhances national status. This actively contributes to the fight for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress in the world. In particular, foreign defense is identified as an important channel in foreign affairs of the Party, State, especially in the condition that Vietnam is a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2020-2021 and assumes the role as President of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2020.

Fourthly, focusing on an all-people defense and all-people defense posture associated with a solid people’s security posture, creating a solid foundation for national defense from afar.

In the cause of struggle for national liberation and defense under the leadership of the Party, spiritual-political foundation, determination to win the victory, the strength of all-people defense, all-people defense posture are promoted to a new height.

To firmly protect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Homeland in current context, it is imperative that we continue to thoroughly grasp military, defense guidelines and policies of the Party, especially the Resolution of the 8^th Central Conference Session XI on “Strategy to protect the Homeland in the new situation”, resolutions and conclusions of  the Politburo, Session XII on defense and security; constantly consolidating and strengthening defense potentials and power in the direction of being comprehensively solid-based, long-term stable and increasingly modern. In particular, Vietnam attachs an importance to construct a solidly-based all-people defense, all-people defense posture in association with all-people security postute, solid “people’s posture”, especially in the key strategic areas, borders, seas and islands. This is an important and regular task, the responsibility of entire political system, the Party and the troops.

All levels, branches and localities continue to thoroughly grasp and well implement the Party’s strategic policy on building defense areas, in which the core is building a solid “people’s posture” right from the base, creating a foundation for a build-up of a solid all-people defense and security; preventing and effectively handling defense and security situations; defeating all intentions and tricks of enemy’s reactionary forces; not being passive and unforeseen in all situations. Vietnam pushes up combining socio-economic development with strengthening national defense, security, and foreign affairs; closely sticking to implementation of socio-economic development strategies and plans with defense, security and foreign relations consolidation. Moreover, Vietnam expands and strengthens international cooperation, take advantage of integration to effectively handle important issues such as border, marine, islands security, cyber security,… which contributes to safeguard the Homeland firmly from afar.

Fifth, building revolutionary, regular, well-trained, step-by-step modern People’s Army, which is worthy of an absolutely loyal political force and the Party’s sharp, reliable violence tool.

Inheriting tradition and experience of  the Victory of April 30^th, 1975, in the current caause of constructing and defending the Homeland, Vietnam need to keep firmly and sttrengthen the leadership role of the Party towards the Army, concentratinng on constructing revolutionary, regular, well-trained, step-by-step modern People’s Army, prioritizing the modernization of several services, arms and forces; continuing to bring into play the revolutionary nature, the tradition of “Uncle Ho’s army”, making efforts to  overcome difficulties, well perform the function of “fighting, working and productive labor army”; vividly demonstrating its central role in defending the Homeland, the Party, People and socialist regime. The entire troops focus on solidly-based, comprehensive construction, which is based on political build-up, strictly obeying orders and a regime of readiness to fight, do well the research duty and strategic forecasting, act as an advisor for the Party, State to form a military - defense guideline and law; proactively contructing and deploying projects, plans of readiness to fight and struggle, prevent and resolve defense and security situations accurately, timely and effectively, firmly safeguard sovereignty, national interests and avoid being passive and unforeseen. Vietnam attachs an importance to strengthen the staff of the organization in the  direction of being streamlined and strong. Vietnam strengthens regular build-up, disciplinary practices, cultural environment, execution of national law; being exemplary and taking the lead in implementing the Party’s guidelines, the State’s policy and law; struggling for wrong and hostile views, safeguarding the Party’s ideological foundation, socialist regime. In addition, Vietnam proactively and effectively gets involved in socio-economic development, helping the people build up a new rural model, eradicate hunger and alleviate poverty, pay gratitude, constructing a political foundation, new cultural life, especially in strategic areas, remote areas, borders, coastal areas and islands; Being a key force in preventing, resisting and overcoming natural disasters, rescuing, preventing, fighting against epidemics,… Army officers and soldiers are always present in crucial, difficult, dangerous areas to protect people’s lives and property and well carry out propaganda with the population…, which contributes to tightening solidarity, close-knit army-people relationship, building a solid “people’s posture”, consolidating people’s trust in the Party, State, socialist regime. At the same time, it is necessary to promote the development of industrial defense, equip modern weapons, military devices with a view to generating strength to deal with all invasion wars in any form. Vietnam have to well implement international integration and foreign defense, participating in UN’s peacekeeping operations, contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s status as a peace-loving nation and heroic Vietnam People’s Army in international scale.

The 45^th anniversary of Day of Southern Liberation for National Reunification is an occasion for us to remind and take pride in glorious tradition of heroic people’s Army; at the same time, we are more deeply aware of the significance, historical values of great victory, glorious contribution of the Party, Uncle Ho, heroic people and the great sacrifice of revolutionary martyrs. Promoting the spirit of this Victory, entire Vietnam’s Party, people and troops continue to unite, make attempts and successfully implement our renovation cause, construct Vietnam as a richer and more powerful, “more dignified, bigger and more beautiful” nation, as President Ho Chi Minh has always desired./.

This article was published in the Communist Review, No. 940 (April 2020)