From survival needs to human dignity
In the revolutionary autumn of 1945, brilliant with flags and flowers on the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam). That was the triumphant moment that opened an era of national independence and freedom, ending the feudal regime and French colonial rule.
Behind the extreme joy of the independence day is an extremely fierce reality caused by the enemy: The famine of 1944 - 1945 claimed the lives of more than 2 million compatriots, more than 90% of the population was illiterate, the treasury was empty, and the country faced the threat of foreign invasion surrounding all sides, difficulties piled upon difficulties.
It was in that difficult context that President Ho Chi Minh established a fundamental standard to measure the value of independence with profound meaning: "If the country is independent but the people do not enjoy freedom and happiness, then independence has no meaning.
After September 2, 1945, when answering international journalists, President Ho Chi Minh expressed the supreme desire of his life: "How to make our country completely independent, our people completely free, everyone has food and clothing, everyone is educated".
At that time, "food, clothing, and education" were the most urgent survival demands of a nation that had just emerged from the darkness of slavery and famine. Independence must first save people's lives. However, in Ho Chi Minh's thought, food and clothing were only the first tier of human rights. The ultimate goal was to liberate people from all oppression and repression, so that each individual had the right to master and develop their own abilities.
That ideology was immediately institutionalized by specific revolutionary actions. Just one day after Independence Day, September 3, 1945, in the first session of the Government Council, President Ho Chi Minh set out an urgent task: To launch a movement to eliminate hunger, eliminate illiteracy and prepare for general elections to build the Constitution.
On January 6, 1946, the first General Election took place according to the principle of universal suffrage, gender equality. The 1946 Constitution - the first Constitution drafted by President Ho Chi Minh - continued to institutionalize the principles of freedom, democracy and equality, affirming the principle that the people are the supreme subjects of state power.
Human rights from a theoretical statement in the Declaration of Independence have quickly been transformed into practical legal institutions and social security policies.
People are the center, the most important goal and driving force of development
Experiencing 81 years of history since the autumn of 1945, Vietnam has gone through a long journey from the struggle for survival to the cause of comprehensive renovation, enhancing the position and foundation of the country.
After gaining independence in 1945, the grains of rice to fight hunger, warm clothes and literacy classes to eradicate illiteracy have gradually brought a new life to the people. And to this day, when the country enters a new era of development, the measure of independence has been raised to a new level of quality.
The era of rise requires a strong breakthrough in production forces, innovation, digital transformation and comprehensive international integration. But despite entering the era of artificial intelligence and knowledge economy, the development philosophy of the Party and State still firmly upholds the humanistic foundation of Ho Chi Minh: Taking people as the center, is the most important goal and driving force of development.
Independence in the new era is not only about firmly protecting sovereignty over borders, sea and airspace, but also about ensuring political, economic, technological and cultural independence and self-reliance.
In terms of society, independence is actually measured by constantly improving the quality of life of the people; narrowing the gap between rich and poor; perfecting the rule-of-law state institution; building a safe, civilized living environment and ensuring inclusive social security. True to the spirit of sustainable development that the entire political system is aiming for: Arousing the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country and consistent with the motto "not leaving anyone behind".
The material and spiritual life and the level of real happiness enjoyment of the people are the clearest measure to verify the value of independence and freedom. The Declaration of Independence of 1945 will forever be a sacred reminder to all generations: Independence is only truly complete and eternal when the right to life, the right to freedom and the right to seek happiness of each person are fully and vividly realized in each house, each fate of Vietnamese people and a prosperous and happy country, that is, each house, each person has complete happiness.
