On the significance of Vietnam’s Independence Day
Vietnam’s remarkable transformation in 77 years
By Luong Quoc Huy
Ambassador of Vietnam in Tehran
78 years ago, in the autumn of 1945, under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, the people all over the country of Vietnam simultaneously rose up and conducted a general uprising to seize power. By making good use of situational factors and revolutionary opportunities with careful preparation, the general uprising took place very quickly, with almost no bloodshed but a huge victory. Within just 15 days at the end of August 1945, the general uprising won completely, and the government belonged to the people of Vietnam.
On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the historic “Declaration of Independence” and solemnly declared to the whole world the birth of a new state: the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).
More than two-thirds of the century has passed. Many details of the contents of the “Declaration of Independence” have been studied and clarified in many fields. It is a legal document laying the basis for affirming the establishment of a state based on the rule of law, with the goals of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness. Moreover, the Declaration of Independence also contributed to the path of human liberation and opened the era of independence and freedom for oppressed peoples all over the world.
The thoughts of President Ho Chi Minh in the Declaration of Independence have become motivations for the entire Vietnamese nation to overcome all difficulties and challenges to build up the country. Vietnam has never had the opportunity, potential, position, and international prestige like today.
Economically, Vietnam has been a development success story and now is one of the most dynamic emerging countries in the East Asia region. In recent years, its average growth has been about 7% per year. Vietnam has left the group of low-income countries since 2008. After basically controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, from the fourth quarter of 2021, Vietnam’s economy has reopened and has taken steps to recover and grow strongly. In 2022, its GDP was about $409 billion, its GDP growth reached 8.02%, and its GDP per capita was about $4,110. Its export turnover reached $371.85 billion, an increase of 10.6% compared to the previous year, and its import turnover reached $360.65 billion, an increase of 8.4% over the previous year. The trade balance surplus was $11.2 billion. Foreign direct investment in Vietnam reached $22.4 billion, an increase of 13.5% over the previous year. Vietnam now has trade relations with more than 230 markets and has engaged in more than 500 bilateral and multilateral agreements in various fields, including 17 FTAs.
In the international arena, Vietnam is a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community. From the status of being isolated and embargoed, Vietnam has created and enhanced the foreign policy of openness, multilateralization, diversification, and creating favourable conditions for the country’s renovation and development. Vietnam has expanded and elevated its diplomatic relations with all neighboring countries, major powers, important partners, and traditional friends. On the multilateral scale, Vietnam is an active and responsible member of over 70 important international organizations and forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, and WTO.
The high-level foreign activities of the Party and State leaders remain active. Vietnam Communist Party has established ties with 247 political parties in 111 countries. Vietnam National Assembly has relations with the national assemblies and parliaments of over 140 countries. Its private organizations and agencies have ties with thousands of private and non-governmental organizations from foreign countries.
Vietnam’s international status and prestige in the region and the world remain enhanced as it actively and responsibly contributes to the maintaining of peace, cooperation, development, and progress in the world. During the past years, Vietnam has successfully organized major international conferences and completed many international tasks as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (two terms: 2008–2009 and 2020–2021), the ASEAN Rotating Chairman, and the Host of ASEM high-level meeting, APEC Summit, World Economic Forum on ASEAN, etc. It has dispatched hundreds of officers and soldiers to join the Peacekeeping Organization of the UN in Africa. Recently, the new development of the situation, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, has impacted all aspects including politics and socio-economy. Vietnam has timely sent medical and financial support to over 50 countries and international organizations, clearly displaying the motto “a responsible member” in the international community.