When the General Secretary suggested a trip for millions of people

On April 21, 2025, General Secretary To Lam, in his speech at a meeting with veteran revolutionary cadres, meritorious people, and policy families in the Southern region, suggested that the Ministry of National Defense should have a plan to organize for all veterans, youth volunteers, frontline workers, militia, and guerrillas who participated in the fight against the US to visit the Vietnam Military History Museum this year, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country.

In the context of the whole country celebrating half a century of the heroic April days of the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, the proposal of the head of our Party is very meaningful, imbued with humanity from a profound political thinking associated with the depth of culture and national identity, contributing to connecting history in every Vietnamese person, consolidating national solidarity for a new era - the era of the whole nation rising up.

A great idea also shines here. That is to show gratitude to the past to build the future, to awaken the soft power of the nation through the songs and memories that are both tragic and extremely heroic, crystallizing into immortal spiritual values.

Vietnam Military History Museum: “Red address” connecting generations

The Vietnam Military History Museum (new) will open from November 2024, located at Km 6+500, Thang Long Avenue, Tay Mo and Dai Mo wards, Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi.

Although the museum has been open for less than half a year, it has not only attracted a large number of visitors but has also truly become a "red address" to preserve and honor our nation's history, a place that connects generations.

Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang said that on average, there are thousands of visitors every day, with some days the Museum welcomes over 40,000 visitors. That is truly a telling number. Or even more meaningful, it can be said that history is still a source of inspiration for millions of Vietnamese people.

The Vietnam Military History Museum currently holds over 140,000 artifacts. Photo: qdnd.vn

The war is long gone, but the lessons of will, discipline, spirit of overcoming difficulties, and loyalty to the Fatherland still hold true in peacetime.

In the context of the country facing many new challenges - from economic transformation to preserving sovereignty, from political stability to sustainable development, the old fighting spirit needs to be rekindled as a "valuable asset" endogenous to the nation.

That is the realization of President Ho Chi Minh's teaching: " The Hung Kings had the merit of building the country. We, uncle and nephew, must work together to protect the country ."

Meetings and exchanges at the Museum are not only an opportunity to express gratitude, but also a living classroom for the younger generation.

When students witness people who have gone through bombs and bullets telling their own stories in front of historical artifacts, that is when history is no longer dry words or frozen in each artifact, but becomes the blood flowing in the nation's veins, continuing through each generation.

Thinking for the people, connecting with the people, caring for the national spirit

The proposal of General Secretary To Lam clearly demonstrated a noble quality of the leader of our Party: Not forgetting the old soldiers in the countryside and hamlets; not only taking care of the economy but also taking care of memories, emotions and national pride - things that cannot be measured by GDP, but are actually the spiritual pillars of the nation.

Politics, at its highest level, is not only about the administration of power, but also the art of preserving the soul of the nation. By proposing a journey back to the memories of those who once held guns to defend the country, General Secretary To Lam has shown the unity between ethics and leadership thinking, between tradition and modern vision.

More than 7 centuries ago, King Tran Nhan Tong also wrote the following lines of poetry from that spirit: “The old soldier with white hair /Tells the story of Nguyen Phong forever.” Nguyen Phong is the reign title of King Tran Thai Tong, associated with his glorious martial arts victory over the ferocious Mongol invaders.

A profound reminder of national morality

From the direction of General Secretary To Lam, it can be seen that in the turbulent flow of modernity, when material values ​​increasingly overwhelm spiritual life, the call to pay tribute to those who have fallen and those who have returned from the war is a reminder for us to return to our roots.

Veterans, militiamen, guerrillas, and frontline laborers - they are not only witnesses, but also living symbols of an era where patriotism and the will for independence trampled and overcame all hardships and sacrifices.

Organizing their return to the Vietnam Military History Museum is to create conditions for history to not only be recalled but also revived, so that memories do not fade, so that gratitude is deeply engraved in the hearts of the entire nation.

Because there is no sustainable future if we forget the past, and no profound development if we do not build on traditional values. The lessons of Eastern and Western history have told us that.

This directive also has important political significance, contributing to strengthening confidence in the Party's leadership. By paying attention to the spiritual life of those who have devoted their youth to the Fatherland, our State affirms: "No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten".

Furthermore, this activity also creates connections between generations, between the past and the present, keeping the flame of patriotism alive in all classes of people.

The war has long since ended, but the sacrifices and losses of millions of Vietnamese people remain valuable lessons in patriotism and indomitable will. The General Secretary’s directive demonstrates the Party and State’s recognition of the contributions of those who have written the nation’s golden history.

Bringing historical witnesses or more honorably, bringing history makers back to the museum space not only helps them relive heroic memories but is also an opportunity for future generations to directly listen to and feel the sacredness and value of independence and freedom.

Understand the past to move towards the future

Looking out into the world, understanding the thread of time between the past, present and future is shared by many prominent politicians and scientists.

The poet Rasul Gamzatov tells us in a familiar sentence: "If you shoot at the past with a pistol, the future will shoot at you with a cannon."

This year - the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country - is an ideal time for all people to look back on the past, be proud of what has been achieved and gain strength for the journey ahead. General Secretary To Lam's direction is not only a spiritual gift for the soldiers of the past, but also a reminder: National history is an indispensable asset for Vietnam to firmly step on the path of integration and development.

To make General Secretary To Lam’s directive a reality, the Ministry of National Defense needs to coordinate with localities to review the list, organize carefully from logistics to healthcare, and ensure the safety of elderly veterans. It is necessary to turn the trip into an opportunity to exchange and record vivid historical stories as valuable documents.

Quang Loc

Source: https://congthuong.vn/khi-tong-bi-thu-goi-y-mot-chuyen-di-cho-ca-trieu-nguoi-384399.html