Illustrative photo (Photo: tuyengiao.vn)

Respecting the value of independence and freedom, soon after the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was founded, on October 12, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 49 stipulating the inclusion of the words “The Democratic Republic of Vietnam”  and “Independence - Freedom – Happiness” on all official documents, telegrams, orders, letters, press releases, and greetings. The precious words Independence - Freedom - Happiness written under the national name “The Democratic Republic of Vietnam”, now “The Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, embody the aspirations of the entire nation and realize Ho Chi Minh's wish for "freedom for my people, independence for my fatherland".

Under the leadership of the Party, Vietnamese people struggled for national independence and reunification through several decades to ensure that all Vietnamese people can fully enjoy human rights, including the right to live in peace, independence and freedom and the right to decide the country’s development path.

In the Ho Chi Minh era, Independence - Freedom - Happiness was not only an aspiration but also the reason for life and the ideology for striving and sacrificing that President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people have consistently pursued. A strong belief in Independence - Freedom - Happiness has motivated Vietnam to follow the Party’s path which has resulted in the victories of the 1945 August Revolution and the two national resistance struggles against the French and the Americans.

Decree of law No 50 dated October 9, 1945 - the first legal document had the title words "Independence- Freedom-Happiness" (Photo: tuyengiao.vn)

Consistently pursuing the goal of national independence and socialism, persistently implementing President Ho Chi Minh’s teaching: "If the country is independent but the people do not enjoy freedom and happiness, then independence has no meaning ", stipulations of the rights and obligations of citizens in the 1946 and 1959 Constitutions have shown that the Democratic Republic of Vietnam state has protected human rights in accordance with the law.

After the victory of the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975, Vietnam became a peaceful, independent and unified country and Vietnamese people have stayed united under the Party leadership to advance to socialism, overcome difficulties, recover, implement national renewal and accelerate international integration.

In peace, every citizen in Vietnam feels more deeply the value of independence, freedom, and the joy of living in Independence - Freedom – Happiness.

More than 92 years after the Communist Party of Vietnam was founded and 77 years after President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and after 37 years of persistent implementation of innovation and extensive international integration, Vietnam has gained significant achievements in economy, culture, society, security and defense, thus heightening Vietnam’s position in the international arena.

Vietnam’s economy has grown well, so has its culture and society. And people's material and spiritual lives have significantly improved. The Vietnamese Party and State of Vietnam have worked to ensure that every citizen can fully enjoy basic human rights, citizenship, and democratic rights. Vietnam has also attached importance to promoting international cooperation in human rights on the basis of equality, respect and understanding among countries and implementation of international commitments on human rights.