Ho Chi Minh Museum opens thematic exhibition "Independence Autumn"

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the success of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), practically welcoming the success of Party Congresses at all levels, towards the 14th National Congress of the Party, implementing the direction of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VHTTDL), on the afternoon of August 25, in Hanoi, the Ho Chi Minh Museum coordinated with the Propaganda Department to organize the opening of the thematic exhibition "Independence Autumn".

Việt Nam•24/08/2025

Panorama of the opening ceremony of the “Independence Autumn” exhibition. Photo: BTHCM

Attending the opening of the thematic exhibition, on the guest side were: Comrade Ngo Dong Hai, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission; Comrade Dinh Thi Mai, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission; Major General Pham Van Hieu, Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Command; Associate Professor, Dr. Do Van Tru, President of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association; representatives of the Embassies of Cuba, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, Laos, Israel, Malaysia, the Indian Cultural Center...; representatives of the leaders of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission, the Central Party Office, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Command, Regiment 375 of the Guard Command, representatives of the leaders of agencies and units in the museum and relic block... On the Ho Chi Minh Museum side, there were Dr. Vu Manh Ha, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum and all the cadres, civil servants and employees of the Museum. Attending and reporting on the event were reporters from news agencies, newspapers, radio and television of the Central Government and Hanoi City.

Delegates attending the opening ceremony of the “Independence Autumn” exhibition. Photo: BTHCM

At the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Independence Autumn”, delegates and guests listened to the Declaration of Independence solemnly read by President Ho Chi Minh at the historic Ba Dinh Square. This moment revived the heroic atmosphere of that autumn, when the entire Vietnamese nation entered the era of independence and freedom.

Delegates and guests listen to the Declaration of Independence read by President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square during the opening ceremony of the “Autumn of Independence” exhibition. Photo: BTHCM

Speaking at the opening of the thematic exhibition, Dr. Vu Manh Ha, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, affirmed: “In the fall of 1945, under the leadership of the Party, headed by the great President Ho Chi Minh, our people rose up to carry out a revolution that shook the world: the successful August Revolution. Immediately after that, on September 2, 1945, on the historic Ba Dinh Square stage, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Provisional Government, read the Declaration of Independence, declaring to all compatriots and the world the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the first people's democratic state in Southeast Asia, opening a new era for the Vietnamese people - the era of Independence, Freedom and mastery of the country's destiny. With more than 200 documents, images and artifacts, including many rare original artifacts, the special exhibition "Autumn of Independence" introduced to the public the historical journey of realizing the aspiration for national independence, full of difficulties, hardships but glorious of Vietnamese people under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Vietnam; about the significance, stature, and great historical value of the August Revolution in 1945 and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; affirming the role of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by beloved President Ho Chi Minh in the cause of national liberation. Over the past 8 decades, our entire Party, army, and people have always maintained independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and socialist orientation, ensuring a peaceful , stable, and secure environment for the cause of Renovation, national development, and enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena. From here, the country has moved from the autumn of independence into the autumn of the era of national growth, development, strength, and prosperity.”

Dr. Vu Manh Ha, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, delivered the opening speech of the special exhibition “Independence Autumn”. Photo: BTHCM

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the "Independence Autumn" exhibition at the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Photo: BTHCM

The special exhibition "Independence Autumn" of Ho Chi Minh Museum introduces to the public the aspiration, will of independence, self-reliance, and the strength of great national unity in the process of fighting for national liberation, building and firmly protecting the independence of the Vietnamese Fatherland.

Thematic Exhibition content includes 02 parts:

Part I: Ba Dinh shines in Autumn sunshine

In 1858, the French colonialists invaded and gradually turned Vietnam into a semi-feudal colony. Witnessing the failure of patriotic movements against the French colonialists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the crisis in the way to save the country at that time, the patriotic young man Nguyen Tat Thanh (Nguyen Ai Quoc - Ho Chi Minh) decided to go abroad to find a way to liberate the nation.

In the process of finding a way to save the country, going through 3 oceans, 4 continents, and interacting with all classes in society, Nguyen Ai Quoc approached Marxism-Leninism and from there Nguyen Ai Quoc actively prepared politically, ideologically, and organizationally to establish the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1930. Carrying out its historical mission, after its establishment, the Party led the People to carry out revolutionary struggles, leading to the success of the August General Uprising in 1945, taking power into the hands of the People. On September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the first people's democratic state in Southeast Asia.

Delegates visit the exhibition "Independence Autumn". Photo: BTHCM

Delegates visit the exhibition "Independence Autumn". Photo: BTHCM

Delegates visit the exhibition "Independence Autumn". Photo: BTHCM

"Cuu Quoc" Newspaper. Photo: BTHCM

The “Declaration of Independence” document at the “Autumn of Independence” exhibition of the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Photo: BTHCM

The song "Tien Quan Ca" by musician Van Cao, composed in 1944. Photo: BTHCM

Propaganda painting “Spirit of August Revolution and National Day September 2” by artist Nguyen Phuc Khoi. Photo: BTHCM

Part II: From the Fall of Independence to the Spring of Renovation

The August Revolution of 1945 was a great victory of the will for independence and the aspiration for freedom of the Vietnamese people. The entire Party, the entire army and the entire people were determined to maintain the achievements of the revolution. Under the wise leadership of the Party, Vietnam overcame all difficulties and hardships, winning many resounding victories in the resistance war against French colonialism (1945 - 1954), the invading American imperialists (1954 - 1975) and the struggle to protect the border and maintain the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

After peace was restored, Vietnam focused on overcoming the consequences of war, gradually building the material foundation of socialism, but still faced many difficulties and challenges. At the 6th Congress in 1986, the Party proposed the Doi Moi policy, marking a fundamental and decisive turning point in Vietnam's development. After nearly 40 years of renovation and development, Vietnam has made strong, comprehensive and profound changes in all areas from politics, society, economy, education, science and technology to national defense, security and foreign affairs.

Delegates visit the exhibition "Independence Autumn". Photo: BTHCM

Delegates visit the exhibition "Independence Autumn". Photo: BTHCM

Also in the "Autumn of Independence" special exhibition this time, the Ho Chi Minh Museum respectfully introduces a number of documents and artifacts introduced to the public and visitors for the first time, such as: A copy of Nguyen Ai Quoc's identity card at 6 Villa des Gobelins Street, issued on September 4, 1919 (the card has a photo stamped with his signature), Nguyen Ai Quoc's photographer's business card, President Ho Chi Minh's letter to the Central Executive Committee of the German Socialist Unification Party informing and inviting the delegation to attend the Party Congress and the 15th National Day of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, August 1, 1960, and a poem celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam by poet Hoang Viem Boi.

Photocopy of Nguyen Ai Quoc's identity card at 6 Villa des Gobelins Street, issued on September 4, 1919 (The card has his photo embossed with a stamp and his signature). Photo: BTHCM

Photographer Nguyen Ai Quoc's business card. Photo: BTHCM

Letter from President Ho Chi Minh to the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany informing and inviting the delegation to attend the Party Congress and the 15th National Day of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, August 1, 1960. Photo: BTHCM

Poem celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam by poet Hoang Viem Boi. Photo: BTHCM

Gift from the Delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam to President Ho Chi Minh, October 19, 1962. Photo: BTHCM

Crossbows and arrows of ethnic minorities presented to President Ho Chi Minh by the delegation of ethnic minorities attending the National Day, September 2, 1963. Photo: BTHCM

Artifact “National Flag”. Photo: BTHCM

The books "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" and "Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam" at the "Autumn of Independence" exhibition. Photo: BTHCM

The thematic exhibition “Independence Autumn” is a cultural event that contributes to arousing the spirit of patriotism, solidarity, self-reliance, national pride and self-respect of every Vietnamese citizen; strengthening propaganda, encouraging the entire Party, people and army to continue to compete, strive to achieve many achievements to practically celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; welcoming the success of Party Congresses at all levels and moving towards the 14th National Congress of the Party.