'The truth is that Vietnam has become a Free and Independent country.'

The Declaration of Independence, proclaimed by President Ho Chi Minh before the nation, the people, and the whole world on September 2, 1945, affirmed Vietnam as a free and independent nation. There, the people have the right to life, the right to freedom, and the right to pursue happiness… Through the ups and downs of history, we now have increasingly solid grounds to affirm the truth that we have become a free and independent nation, and our people are increasingly prosperous and happy…

Vietnam's independence and freedom were founded on the Declaration of Independence proclaimed by President Ho Chi Minh to the nation.

The Declaration of Independence, which established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945, has gone down in history as a timeless masterpiece, deeply moving and stirring millions of hearts for justice, peace , independence, and national freedom. Numerous studies have been conducted on this historic Declaration.

Over the years, President Ho Chi Minh's sharp and eloquent arguments in the Declaration of Independence and Freedom of Vietnam have been affirmed as an undeniable truth of the era. Independence and freedom are the foundation of the people's prosperity and happiness, and are prerequisites for development.

Therefore, the ultimate goal associated with the national name remains unchanged: INDEPENDENCE - FREEDOM - HAPPINESS. And it is precisely for this reason that, in the most critical moment for the country, President Ho Chi Minh clearly stated: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom!", while affirming the will of the entire Vietnamese people: "We would rather sacrifice everything than lose our country or become slaves."

That will is the truth, the moral code of our nation. It is the strength, the unshakeable belief. And it is on this foundation of strength and belief that, immediately after seizing power, even when the revolutionary forces were still weak, President Ho Chi Minh believed in the invincible power of patriotism, of the yearning for freedom and independence of our entire people, and affirmed in the Declaration of Independence: "And indeed, Vietnam has become a free and independent country."

That truth, that aspiration of the Vietnamese people, has endured countless trials, so that today we have the right to hold our heads high before the international community, showcasing a peaceful, unified, independent, free, and happy Vietnam.

The challenges were extremely severe right from the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; internal enemies, foreign invaders, famine, and illiteracy seemed to conspire to stifle the fledgling worker-peasant state. Many researchers have assessed the situation at that time as extremely difficult, like "a thousand pounds hanging by a thread."

Immediately after the Declaration of Independence, we had to prepare for a protracted resistance war because "the more concessions we made, the more the French colonialists advanced," "they wanted to seize our country," they wanted to steal the obvious fact that our country "had become a free and independent nation." That was something we could not compromise on!

The entire Party, army, and people of Vietnam, undeterred by hardship and sacrifice, waged a protracted resistance war that culminated in the earth-shattering victory at Dien Bien Phu, contributing to the end of old-style colonialism worldwide. However, with the Geneva Accords, half of Vietnam still lacked freedom and independence. The other half enjoyed peace but remained impoverished and backward. President Ho Chi Minh had to affirm: "What good is independence and freedom if the people are not yet prosperous and happy?"; "For independence, for freedom, fight to drive out the Americans, fight to overthrow the puppet regime!"

Thus, Vietnam once again had to endure the most brutal war of the 20th century to win independence and freedom for the Fatherland. The historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign liberated the South and unified the country. The celebration of national reunification on April 30th brought independence and freedom to the nation.

But the independence and freedom of the Vietnamese nation are still threatened by conservative, belligerent, and narrow-minded nationalist forces. Gunfire erupts again on the southwestern and northern borders. Tidal waves surge again in the East Sea. Hostile forces surround and impose embargoes to force Vietnam into dependence and subjugation. In essence, they want to steal our nation's independence and freedom.

The world changed. Vietnam's situation at that time was extremely difficult, seemingly unsustainable. But the strength of our long-standing tradition of independence, freedom, self-reliance, and self-strength created a miraculous power that enabled us to overcome all challenges and stand firm as a model of resilience, of good triumphing over evil...

Those who besieged, embargoed, and opposed us witnessed the international court's trial and conviction of the genocidal perpetrators, and witnessed a resurgent and developing Cambodia. We were ready to sacrifice, regardless of the rhetoric of our opponents and the enormous economic and diplomatic losses at the time, to help the Khmer people escape genocide because we understood the price of independence and freedom.

Respecting the independence and freedom of other nations as much as one's own is a moral principle. And because it is a moral principle, it has deeply permeated people's hearts and shaped history. Because it is a moral principle, it is in accordance with the law and must necessarily be recognized.

Today, Vietnam has become a reliable partner of the international community.

Today, Vietnam enjoys the trust and cooperation of many countries around the world, fostering strong relationships. Most countries and territories worldwide have established diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Major powers also maintain high-level diplomatic ties with Vietnam.

Vietnam and the United States upgraded their diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023. The US also commenced construction of a multi-billion dollar embassy in Hanoi. This affirms Vietnam's position on the international stage. While the world order has undergone many changes, with major powers increasing their influence in the new trends… Vietnam's image and position continue to develop to new heights, upgrading relations with major powers with increasingly practical results.

Vietnam has become a reliable partner of the international community. Vietnam's independent, self-reliant, diversified, and multilateral foreign policy affirms its rightful place on the international stage. The principles of non-alignment with one country against another, independence, not allowing foreign military bases in Vietnam, not using force, and not threatening to use force are all principles welcomed by the international community. All of this affirms the independence and freedom of our country.

Vietnamese peacekeepers have excellently demonstrated the Vietnamese spirit towards peace and prosperity for the people of other countries.

Vietnam is truly independent and self-reliant, based on the principle of respecting the independence and freedom of other countries, while also making responsible contributions to the international community. Despite the difficulties, Vietnamese peacekeeping troops have excellently demonstrated the Vietnamese spirit towards the peace and prosperity of the people of the countries where they are stationed, affirming Vietnam's responsibility to protect peace within the international community.

The independence and freedom of Vietnam, proclaimed by President Ho Chi Minh to the nation, the people, and the whole world on September 2, 1945, has weathered many ups and downs, and today it is increasingly solid and has gone down in history as a brilliant milestone. This independence and freedom has brought an increasingly prosperous and happy life to the people.

President Ho Chi Minh's dream of "everyone having enough food, clothes, and access to education" has now become a reality. Furthermore, Vietnam has achieved remarkable poverty reduction and hunger eradication, while simultaneously providing the international community with millions of tons of food and unique agricultural products, contributing to ensuring the livelihoods of millions of people on this planet.

Vietnam has achieved remarkable poverty reduction and hunger eradication, while simultaneously providing the international community with millions of tons of food along with unique agricultural products.

That foundation of independence and freedom has propelled Vietnam into a new, sustainable, and bright stage of development. By 2045, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), Vietnam will become a developed, high-income country. This is the aspiration of the entire Party and people, and simultaneously affirms that "The truth is that Vietnam has become a Free and Independent nation" in President Ho Chi Minh's Declaration of Independence is a truth of the era, a legitimate will and aspiration, and a sacred right of our nation and all nations around the world!

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