President Vo Van Thuong, his wife and delegates attend the celebration. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has made confidentstrides on path of national independence and socialism for global peace,friendship, cooperation and development, said President Vo Van Thuong in hisspeech at the celebration of the 78th National Day of Vietnam onAugust 31.
The following is the full text of his speech.
SPEECH
by H.E. President Vo Van Thuong at the Celebration of the 78th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
VIETNAM’S CONFIDENTSTRIDES ON THE PATH OF
NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE AND SOCIALISM FOR GLOBAL PEACE, FRIENDSHIP,COOPERATION, AND DEVELOPMENT
Comrade Leaders of the Communist Party, State, and Fatherland Frontof Vietnam,
Excellency Ambassador Saadi Salama, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Excellencies Ambassadors, Charge d'Affaires, and Chief Representatives of internationalorganizations in Hanoi,
Distinguished guests,
Dear friends,
I am greatly delighted to meet with all esteemed comrades anddistinguished guests at the Celebrationof the 78th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam today.
On behalfof the Party, State,and people of Vietnam, I would like to extend my warmest welcomeand best wishes to all esteemed leaders, distinguished guests, and dear friends.
Comrades,
Distinguishedguests,
In August 1945, under the leadership of theCommunist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, millions ofVietnamese people rallied as one to carry out the General Uprising, overthrowingthe yoke of feudal and colonial reigns and reclaiming leadership for the people.
The victory of the 1945 August Revolution is one of the most gloriouschapters in the history of Vietnam. It underscores the remarkable strength of thegreat national unity, and ushered in a quantum leap for the Vietnamese nation - an era of national independence aligned with socialism. The people of Vietnam were able to escape subjugation and retake masteryover their country and their own fate.
President HoChi Minh stated that: “The August Revolution has overthrown a monarchy spanningdozens of centuries, broken the shackles of colonial rules for nearly 100years, brought authority back to the people, and laid the foundation for a Democratic Republic of Vietnam - a country ofindependence, freedom, and happiness. This is a profound shift in thehistory of our nation”.
An art performance to celebrate the National Day (September 2) (Photo: VNA)On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, PresidentHo Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration ofIndependence, proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam,now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. He announced to the world that: “Vietnamhas the right to enjoy its freedom and independence, and it has, in fact, become a free and independent country. The entire people of Vietnam aredetermined to mobilize all their physicaland mental strength, to sacrifice their lives and propertiesto safeguard the said freedom and independence.”
Since theRevolutionary Autumn of 1945, in the spirit of “Nothing is more precious thanindependence and freedom,” the Vietnamese nation fought valiantly throughcountless arduous wars, with millions of this land’s outstanding individualshaving laid down their lives for national liberation and unification, and for
the building and protection of their Fatherland.
Upon the launch of Doi Moi, with the goals of “wealthy people, a strongcountry ofdemocracy, equality and civilization,” the people of Vietnam once again entered a fierce struggle to eradicate hunger, poverty, and outdatedness, and recorded historicaccomplishments. Socio-political stability has been maintained.
Defense andsecurity have been firmly safeguarded. Social security has been ensured. People’sliving standards have constantly improved. From a country that has yet to make itself known on the global stage, Vietnam has nowestablished diplomatic ties with 192 countries. It has emerged as one ofthe most dynamic economies in the Asia -Pacific, and affirmed its role as an important part of numerous economiclinkages, free trade agreements, and production chains in the region andthe world. Vietnam is indeed a country of peace, friendship, cooperation, anddevelopment, and a beautiful, safe, friendly, and hospitable destination.
Comrades,
Distinguishedguests,
Aninvaluable asset and significant source of strength for Vietnam to overcome all challenges and losses have long stemmed from the people’spatriotism, great national unity, unwavering resolve and bravery, relentlesspursuit of self-reliance and resilience, and burning aspiration forindependence, freedom, peace, and happiness.
Such noble values are tempered, preserved, and harnessed over the nation’s national construction and protection efforts spanning thousands of years.
Vietnam is striving to fulfill the aspiration to become a developed, high-income country by 2045. To this end, we remain steadfast in promoting the holistic and comprehensive implementation of Doi Moi and engaging in extensive and comprehensive international integration. Vietnam also continues to improve as a socialist law-governed state and a socialist-oriented market economy.
At the same time, Vietnam is making efforts to firmly safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and preserve and build upon the invaluable legacies cultivated by generations of Vietnamese people.
Throughout this process, the people have always been placed at the heart of Vietnam’s endeavors. They are the actor, the driver, and the consistent goal of all development policies. Vietnam always strives to mobilize the strength of the entire nation, and perseveringly pursues the philosophy of national independence aligned with socialism that the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the Vietnamese people have chosen.
Comrades,
Distinguished guests,
President Ho Chi Minh – a Hero of National Liberation and a Great Man of Culture of the world - once said: “Vietnam is a component of the world and anything that happens in the world is truly relevant to Vietnam”.
Following his teachings, over the past years, Vietnam has always conducted a consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of external relations. Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community for peace, stability, cooperation and development worldwide.
Vietnam has successfully assumed numerous positions at multilateral forums, and joined hands in realizing the goals of promoting development, protecting human rights, and contributing to the maintenance of global peace. Vietnam’s efforts have earned the recognition and affection from international friends.
The country’s various stages of development all bore witness to the warm sentiment, kind support, effective and substantive cooperation, and assistance in good faith by numerous friends around the world.
On the occasion of Vietnam’s momentous celebration, on behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, I would like to once again extend my sincere gratitude to friends, partners, and the progressive people worldwide for having stood with Vietnam and offered us your affection, trust, and invaluable support and friendship over the past 78 years.
You have indeed helped Vietnam possess a grand fortune, potential, prestige and international profile as never before. This also serves as a strong foundation to further nurture this enduring bond of friendship and cooperation in the years to come.
President Vo Van Thuong delivers a speech at the event. (Photo: VNA)Comrades,
Distinguished guests,
We are living in a world of uncertaintiesand complexities, wherein countries are facing greater risks and challenges. Global, traditional, andnon-traditional security issues continue to evolve in a complicated manner, andthreaten stability and sustainable development. Conflicts and divisions arestill occurring in many regions. Geo-political tensions continue to escalate.Multilateralism and international law are confronted with various challenges.
For common peace and prosperity forall countries to be maintained, Vietnam is of the view that, we need to stand united, bolster cooperation,uphold multilateralism, and observe the UN Charter and international law.
Vietnam stands ready to serve as abridge to facilitate cooperation and dialogue, reinforce multilateralism, and promote peaceful settlement ofdisputes based on the UN Charter and international law. Vietnamshall always remain a close and loyal friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of
the international community.
I do hope that Excellencies Ambassadors, Chargés d’Affaires and Chief Representatives of international organizations willcontinue to represent good faith, sincerity, trust, and close bond, and makemeaningful contributions to further enhancing the ties between Vietnam andother partners worldwide.
Comrades,
Distinguished guests,
Art is a magical language that can bringpeople closer together, connecting kindred souls via emotions of the heart. Themelodies of today’s artistic performances will bring forth a sense of joystemming from cultural and traditional values of the peace-loving and compassionateVietnamese nation. Such values have transcended time and space, and entwinedwith the quintessence of the culture of mankind, thereby bringing Vietnam to the world, and bringing the world closer to Vietnam.
Once again, I would like to thankall comrades, distinguished guests and friends for your attendance at today’sevent.
I wish you all good health,happiness, and greater success!
Thank you for yourattention!/.
