The connection between national independence and socialism is the lodestar of Ho Chi Minh Thought and Vietnam’s revolution since the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Thanks to the motivational power of national independence and socialism, Vietnam won the August Revolution in 1945, defeated the French and American armies, liberated the Southern region, and reunified the fatherland to advance to socialism.
Relating national independence and socialism was a theoretical breakthrough which showed the intelligence and creativity of President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Vietnam.
President Ho Chi Minh called socialism a human, cultural, progressive doctrine that nothing can hinder. He answered the question “What is socialism?” and confirmed the characteristics and essence of socialism in Vietnam.
He said socialism is they way to make the people rich and the nation powerful, to improve people’s material and spiritual lives, to ensure that everyone has sufficient food and clothing and is happy and free, and socialism is linked to the development of science, technology, and culture.
Socialism in Ho Chi Minh Thought is a society whose master is the people, whose power belongs to the people, a society for the people and by the people, where people are the goal and the motivation.
With a vision of eliminating hunger, reducing poverty, balancing economic improvement with advancing social equality, and providing everyone food, clothing, education, and healthcare, President Ho Chi Minh laid a foundation for sustainable development with a focus on three pillars: economy, society, and environment.
He presented his views on eliminating extreme poverty, primary education, gender equality, women’s advancement, reducing child mortality, and disease, maternal healthcare, international economic cooperation, and global partnership for development.
Ho Chi Minh legacy laid a foundation for the Communist Party of Vietnam to set out a platform and guidelines for national construction in the transition period to socialism with the goals of a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, equality, and civilization.
Ho Chi Minh Thought on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam, which took shape and developed in the 1920s, still maintains its value, paves the way for national reform, and brightens the future.
Over the last 35 years of renewal, on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, Vietnam has taken giant steps forward and achieved significant results. As the Documents of the 13th National Party Congress said: “Our country has never before enjoyed the power, status, and international prestige we have today.”
Ho Chi Minh Thought on socialism and the transition to socialism in Vietnam has been justified by Vietnam’s revolution. It will continue to brighten the revolutionary path of the Vietnamese nation during its and international integration. Ho Chi Minh Thought has transcended national borders to become part of the global culture. Examining Ho Chi Minh Thought on socialism and the transition to socialism in Vietnam will foster trust in the path to socialism, inspire the hope of a prosperous, happy, powerful Vietnam standing side by side with other powerful countries, and fulfill the aspirations of President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people.