National Day on September 2 is drawing near, stirring many Vietnamese people to excitement. This is the day President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, inaugurating the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, this holiday carries enormous significance for every Vietnamese.
In what context does September 2 National Day take place?
Vietnam's National Day is one of the most important holidays of the country, held on September 2 each year. It is the day when Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
After the victory of the August Revolution in Hanoi and the North, on August 25, Ho Chi Minh returned from the revolutionary base to the outskirts of Hanoi. The next day, he was welcomed back to live at the attic at No. 48 Hang Ngang Street, where he directly directed the revolutionary activities. Here, Ho Chi Minh presided over the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee, discussed internal and external affairs, and decided to organize the inauguration of the Provisional Government.
On the morning of September 2, 1945, hundreds of thousands of people from all parts of the country, in colorful outfits, flags and flowers, poured into Ba Dinh Square. The atmosphere there was filled with banners expressing patriotism and national pride, in many languages such as Vietnamese, English, French, Chinese, and Russian.
People flock to Ba Dinh Square to listen to the Declaration of Independence.
The podium was erected simply but with great solemnity in the square. In front of the orderly ranks of the armed self-defense forces and the Liberation Army, Ho Chi Minh, in a simple khaki outfit, stepped up to the podium. Before millions of hearts directed toward him, he solemnly read the Declaration of Independence, officially proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "A nation that has bravely fought the yoke of French domination for more than 80 years, a nation that has bravely stood with the Allies against fascism for several years, that nation must be free, that nation must be independent!... Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and has indeed become a free and independent country. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to devote all their spirit and strength, their lives and property, to maintaining that freedom and independence."
September 2, 1945 is not only the day of birth of a new regime, but also opened a new era for the Vietnamese people. From here, the Vietnamese people officially became the owners of a free and independent nation, living under the red flag with a gold star, with strong national pride.
Why did Ho Chi Minh quote the Declaration of Independence of the United States and France?
In the Independence Declaration on September 2, Uncle Ho referred to the opening line of the United States Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen to begin our own Declaration, which has left many people puzzled. However, this action has been analyzed and explained as follows:
First, Ho Chi Minh was honored by UNESCO as a cultural luminary. With his brilliant intellect and his respect, he reminded of two great historical documents of humanity—the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789). These are important milestones in world history, affirming fundamental human rights such as "the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and "all people are born equal in rights." Through this, Ho Chi Minh led to emphasize the necessity of international consensus and support for the revolution of the Vietnamese people.
Second, based on the ideological foundations from previous revolutions, Ho Chi Minh affirmed that Vietnam's August Revolution of 1945 was an important step in the development of humanity, and marked a milestone in the liberation of oppressed peoples worldwide. This revolution was not only a pioneering model but also a leading banner in the struggle for independence of colonial nations, resisting the domination of colonialism under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh.
Third, when analyzing more deeply the two Declarations of the United States and France, we see that both documents emphasize human rights and equality from birth. Ho Chi Minh expanded this idea, affirming that all peoples of the world have equal rights, the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to the pursuit of happiness. This is an important expansion, reflecting Ho Chi Minh's outstanding vision, and was stated clearly in the Vietnamese Declaration of Independence.
The era-defining significance of National Day on 2/9
National Day on 2/9 is a grand holiday for an entire nation, an occasion for Vietnamese people all over the world to look toward the homeland, to remember the contributions of national heroes and especially Ho Chi Minh.
Forever remembering the contributions of the national heroes and President Ho Chi Minh.
In the current context, our country continues to face many challenges from global and regional developments. However, with a spirit of unity and high determination, the entire Party and people will continue to strive to make Vietnam a modern industrial nation, firmly safeguarding independence, sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of the homeland.
National Day on September 2 is an occasion for the entire Vietnamese nation to look back on the arduous but proud path of the struggle, and from there to strengthen and promote the achievements attained. This is not only a major festival for the Vietnamese nation, but also a symbol of the spirit of solidarity, resilience, and indomitable patriotism of the Vietnamese people through the historical eras
The historical significance of National Day on September 2 for the entire nation
