80-year journey of development: Vietnam firmly steps into a new era

The achievements over the past 80 years are vivid proof of the mettle, vision and correct leadership of the Party and State, and are the result of the strong spirit of striving of every Vietnamese person.

The country's position, stature and prestige are increasingly enhanced in the region and the world . (Photo: VNA)

Major General, Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Van Sau, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Defense Strategy and History

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the great victory of the August Revolution in 1945 and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - the first People's Democratic State in Southeast Asia.

From a colonial nation under French colonial rule, the country was divided and the economy was poor, Vietnam has gone through long resistance wars, challenging reconstruction periods and comprehensive and strong renovation to become a developing country with average income, with increasingly high foundation, position and potential in the international arena.

80 years is a proud journey of the Vietnamese people under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam : From the struggle for power to the resistance war for national construction, from national liberation to defending the Fatherland and building and developing the country.

The achievements not only affirm that the transitional path to socialism is correct and suitable for Vietnam's conditions, but also create a solid foundation for our country to enter a new development stage - the era of deep integration, innovation, sustainable development and the aspiration to become powerful by the mid-21st century.

The victory of the August Revolution opened a new era.

Immediately after the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born, opening a new era - the era of independence and freedom for the nation. However, the young independence was immediately threatened by the re-invasion of French colonialism, forcing our entire people to enter a protracted resistance war that lasted 9 years (1945 - 1954).

The Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 was a brilliant milestone, marking the resilience and intelligence of the Vietnamese army and people, forcing the French colonialists to sign the Geneva Agreement (July 21, 1954), recognizing the basic national rights of Vietnam.

After 1954, the country was temporarily divided into two regions. The North entered the process of building socialism, consolidating the great rear, while the South continued the resistance war against the intervention of American imperialism and its puppet government. The resistance war against America, to save the country lasted more than two decades (1954-1975), ending with the historic victory in the spring of 1975, completely liberating the South, reunifying the country, bringing the whole country into a new period of development in peace.

Promoting the strength of the entire nation, accelerating industrialization and modernization. (Photo: VNA)

However, in the first years after liberation, our country had to face numerous difficulties: severe consequences of war, exhausted economy, natural disasters, internal and external enemies, along with the centralized planning management mechanism suitable for the conditions of the country at war, even in the conditions of a peaceful, independent, unified country, due to slow adjustment and slow innovation, revealing the consequences of bureaucracy, subsidies, and commands... causing many difficulties and deprivations in people's lives.

In that context, from the reality of life and the desire for development, our Party has been steadfast and proactive in renewing its thinking, initiating the comprehensive renovation at the 6th Congress in 1986.

Since 1986, our country has undergone nearly four decades of renovation, and the country has grown strongly in many areas. Vietnam has gradually overcome the socio-economic crisis, maintained continuous growth, significantly improved people's lives; expanded foreign relations, and proactively and actively integrated deeply into the global economy.

The country's position, stature and prestige are increasingly enhanced in the region and the world.

Many development indicators have been recognized internationally, creating a solid foundation for stable and sustainable development. In particular, after the 13th National Party Congress (January 2021), Vietnam clearly identified its aspirations for national development with the goal of building a prosperous and happy Vietnam, becoming a high-income developed country by 2045.

Despite facing unprecedented challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, climate change, population aging, and non-traditional security, Vietnam has maintained political and social stability, strengthened its defense and security potential, promoted digital transformation, institutional reform, and innovation. The country's position, stature, and prestige have been increasingly enhanced in the region and the world.

Looking back over the past 80 years, it can be affirmed that the correct and wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the solidarity and resilience of the people, and the self-reliance of the entire nation are the decisive factors creating the great and comprehensive victories of the Vietnamese revolution.

That is also the solid foundation for our country to continue to step firmly into the new era - the era of national growth, deep integration, rapid and sustainable development and the aspiration to become a developed and powerful nation by the middle of the 21st century.

Determined to build a developed socialist Vietnam with high income and happy people

From the historical reality of the civilized nation, the descendants of Lac Hong; of the legendary aspirations of Saint Giong-Phu Dong Thien Vuong, before the development requirements and aspirations of the nation, the Communist Party of Vietnam has clearly defined the general goals and strategic vision for the cause of national development in the coming decades.

The 13th National Party Congress documents emphasized: “By the middle of the 21st century, Vietnam will strive to become a developed, high-income country, following a socialist orientation.” Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW dated November 24, 2023, the 8th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee “On continuing to promote the tradition and strength of great national unity, building our country to be increasingly prosperous and happy,” also clearly affirmed this policy. This is a consistent orientation, both political and theoretical in nature and having a solid practical basis, reflecting the great aspirations of the entire nation in the new era.

TH Group is a pioneer in implementing green economic and circular economic models. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam not only aims to become an economically developed country, but also emphasizes the "socialist" characteristics - that is, development goes hand in hand with progress and social justice, ensuring sustainable security, leaving no one behind.

The development model that Vietnam chooses must ensure harmony between economic growth and cultural and social development; between environmental protection and sovereignty protection, between international integration and preservation of national identity.

The “100-year dual goal” is determined by each milestone: By 2030 - the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding: Vietnam becomes a developing country with modern industry and high average income; by 2045 - the 100th anniversary of the country's founding: Vietnam becomes a developed country with high income, belonging to the group of advanced countries in Asia.

To realize that goal, our country is synchronously implementing many major orientations such as: Innovating the growth model, developing the digital economy, green economy, and circular economy; Building a modern socialist rule-of-law state, a service-oriented administration, and creating development; Investing in education-training, science-technology, and high-quality human resources; Strengthening national defense and security, maintaining independence, sovereignty, and political-social stability in all situations.

The development model that Vietnam chooses must ensure harmony between economic growth and cultural and social development; between environmental protection and sovereignty protection, between international integration and preservation of national identity.

It can be seen that the country's development vision is not simply GDP indicators or international rankings, but rather building a society of "Rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization", where all people live in peace, safety, have opportunities to develop and contribute to the community. "People's happiness" becomes the central value of all development policies - It is not only material sufficiency, but also satisfaction with the living environment, fairness in opportunities, and peace of mind about the future.

Determining such a strategic vision shows that our Party is always steadfast in the goal of national independence associated with socialism, while constantly renewing development thinking, updating the trends of the times, and absorbing the quintessence of humanity to bring Vietnam far and steadily on the path of development for the people and for the future of the nation.

Synchronizing major orientations: Green economic strategy, digital transformation and sustainable development

To realize the aspiration of becoming a developed, high-income country with a socialist orientation, Vietnam needs to choose fundamental development strategies that are consistent with global trends.

In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, climate change and resource depletion are increasingly becoming global challenges, three strategic pillars - green economy, digital transformation and sustainable development are being identified as the main driving force to promote growth and ensure the country's long-term development.

Green economy is not only an environmentally friendly development model, but also an inevitable direction to increase productivity, reduce emissions, utilize renewable energy and enhance resilience to climate change.

By committing to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at COP26, Vietnam has demonstrated its political determination to transition to a low-carbon economy. This requires strong reforms in technology, infrastructure, production and consumption, while also opening up opportunities for Vietnam to catch up with new global investment and trade trends.

High-quality agriculture helps improve people's lives. (Photo: VNA)

Digital transformation is a “cross - cutting” strategy in all areas - from state administration, education, healthcare, to production and services. This is the shortest path for Vietnam to shorten the development gap, take advantage of the opportunity to “take a shortcut” and improve national competitiveness.

The formation of digital government, digital economy and digital society not only helps increase management efficiency, but also creates conditions for people and businesses to access fair, transparent and fast services - contributing to promoting social justice and people's happiness.

Sustainable development is essentially a harmonious combination of economic growth, social equity and environmental protection. Vietnam is determined to pursue a development path that does not trade the environment for growth; does not ignore social equity for short-term benefits. Growth must go hand in hand with improving the quality of life, expanding opportunities for regions and disadvantaged groups, ensuring that all people enjoy the fruits of development.

Three strategic pillars: green economy, digital transformation and sustainable development are being identified as the main driving forces to promote growth and ensure the country's long-term development.

These three pillars are not separate, but complement and reinforce each other, forming a new development value system for the country in the coming period. Green economy requires technological innovation, which is the driving force for extensive digital transformation; digital transformation opens up new space for green economy to develop more effectively; both aim for sustainable development - where growth is associated with inclusiveness and longevity.

It can be seen that, if in the previous period, Vietnam developed based on resource exploitation, cheap labor and public investment, then in the new era , knowledge, technology, innovation and sustainability will be the main growth drivers. Promoting green economy, digital transformation and sustainable development is not only an urgent requirement, but also an inevitable foundation for our country to achieve the great goal: Becoming a developed country, harmonious society, happy people.

80 years journey - Hardship and pride

The 80-year journey since the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam has been a journey of both hardship and challenge, and also a journey of great national pride. It is a journey that affirms the aspiration for independence, freedom and the indomitable will of the Vietnamese people in the struggle against invasion and to protect the Fatherland. It is also on that journey that our people have made constant efforts to build, innovate and develop the country with their own hands, minds and spirit of solidarity.

From the fierce years of resistance against colonialism and imperialism; from the difficult post-war period, to the decisive period of renovation and now the period of deep integration, the Vietnamese people have never once retreated. The hardships that the country had to overcome did not destroy its mettle, but on the contrary, they further aroused the endogenous strength, the spirit of self-reliance, self-reliance, and turned adversity into motivation to rise up.

Vietnam has steadily developed after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi. (Photo: VNA)

Proud because every step on that journey marks the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the silent sacrifices of many generations and the solidarity and perseverance of the entire nation. Proud because from a poor country devastated by war, Vietnam has gradually risen to become a country with an increasingly important role in the region and the world.

That journey does not stop at the achievements that have been made, but continues to open up a future with greater aspirations and higher goals. That is a strong, prosperous Vietnam, developing sustainably in the direction of socialism, where people live in peace, prosperity, freedom and happiness.

The right path and the nation's endogenous strength

Looking back over the past 80 years, the great and historic achievements in all fields are the clearest evidence of the correct development path that the Vietnamese people have chosen. Under the wise, steadfast but always innovative and creative leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the effective management of the State, our country has overcome countless challenges to gain independence, maintain sovereignty, build and protect the Fatherland, and constantly improve the people's lives and the nation's position.

These achievements are not only growth figures, national-scale projects, or internationally recognized development indicators; but also the result of the solid solidarity of the entire nation - from urban to rural areas, from the lowlands to the highlands, from the previous generation to today's youth. Each Vietnamese citizen, with their will to rise up, sense of responsibility and desire to contribute, has been and is contributing to creating a Vietnam that is renewed every day, developing step by step, confidently stepping on the path to the future.

It is the connection between the "Party's will" and the "people's heart," between the strategic thinking of the leaders and concrete actions from the grassroots, that has created a combined strength - the strength of a nation with thousands of years of history and a strong desire to rise in the new era.

Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh inspects the official operation of the two-level local government model at Hoan Kiem ward headquarters. (Photo: Van Diep/VNA)

Looking back 80 years, the Vietnamese people have the right to be proud of their arduous but also extremely glorious journey - the journey of an indomitable nation, refusing to accept slavery, steadfast on the path to socialism under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Each historical journey, each step of development bears the mark of sacrifice, will, intelligence and the constant aspiration to reach noble values: independence, freedom, happiness, and power. The achievements over the past 80 years are vivid evidence of the mettle, vision and correct leadership of the Party and State; they are the result of the great national unity and the strong spirit of each Vietnamese person.

August Revolution 1945: Fostering pride and raising national status

In the context of Vietnam entering an era of growth, the historical lessons learned from the August Revolution of 1945 still retain their practical value.

That is also the solid foundation for our country to enter a new development period - a period in which innovation, green economy, digital transformation and sustainable development will be strategic pillars; the happiness and prosperity of the people will be the center of all development policies.

With the solid achievements of the past 80 years, with the strong desire for development and the consensus of the entire nation, Vietnam will certainly step firmly into the new era - the era of intelligence, bravery, rapid and sustainable development - firmly on the path to becoming a socialist-oriented developed country, for the goal: "Rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization"./.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway (Hanoi) - the first urban railway line in the country - has become a daily means of transport for many people in the capital. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hanh-trinh-80-nam-phat-trien-viet-nam-vung-buoc-tien-vao-ky-nguyen-moi-post1056806.vnp