Walk in the radiant dawn of the Fatherland

That was the moment that opened the era of independence and freedom for the nation, and today continues to be an endless source of inspiration for every Vietnamese person to proudly look back on the glorious journey of the country and together look towards the future.

“The Vietnamese people have proven to the world that a small but determined nation can defeat any great power.”
Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State

In the morning light, the faces of the soldiers, police and representatives of all walks of life were radiant. They walked bravely and confidently on Ba Dinh Square - the place where President Ho Chi Minh left his historic footprints when he solemnly declared to the world: "All peoples in the world are born equal; every people has the right to live, the right to be happy and the right to be free."

From the achievements of the August Revolution in 1945 to today's foundation, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has gone through eight decades with countless challenges.

During that time, the country had to go through four decades of war with bombs falling and bullets exploding and only truly developed in peace from the 80s of the last century.

Wars, although ending with victories that “resounded throughout the five continents and shook the world” (1954) or with the “brilliant milestone of April 1975”… also left behind great losses and long-lasting consequences for the nation and many generations.

“The Vietnamese fought not only with weapons but with hearts and iron wills.”
Australian journalist Wilfred Burchett

But it was those pains that continued to forge the indomitable will and spirit of the Vietnamese people - a nation that never submits to tyranny.

Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State, once admitted: “The Vietnamese have proven to the world that a small but determined nation can defeat any great power.”

Australian journalist Wilfred Burchett also wrote: “The Vietnamese fought not only with weapons but with hearts and an iron will.”

After the war, resilience and creativity continued to lead the country into the Doi Moi process in 1986. Over the past 40 years, Vietnam has achieved great achievements: dynamic economic growth, continuous improvement in people's lives, development of science-technology, education, culture, maintenance of national defense and security, and open foreign relations with friends around the world. Vietnam's international position and prestige have been increasingly affirmed.

Party and State leaders. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

The image of the Fatherland today is not only associated with a heroic nation in war, but is also a symbol of the aspiration to rise strongly in peace.

That is the image of a Vietnam confidently integrating, maintaining its identity and spirit, while moving towards a prosperous and civilized future. The advice in President Ho Chi Minh's Testament still resonates like a torch lighting the way: "My final wish is: for our entire Party and people to unite and strive to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam, making a worthy contribution to the world revolutionary cause."

In the dawn of a historic autumn day, the sound of footsteps resounded in Ba Dinh Square like a drumbeat urging millions of Vietnamese hearts to look toward the future.

VNA's exhibition area - a destination at the exhibition "80 years of the Journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness"

The past eighty years have been a journey of blood and flowers, of hardship and glory; the coming decades will be a journey of wisdom, courage and aspiration to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers as beloved Uncle Ho always wished.

Today's generation, with intelligence, patriotism and aspiration to contribute, will continue to write the nation's immortal epic with new miracles in peace, creativity and development./.