People in Hanoi in the General Uprising on August 19, 1945 (file photo: baodansinh.vn)

In 10 days, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people threw off nearly a-century-old yoke of slavery and thousands of years of feudalism to wrest back national independence and establish the first state of workers and farmers in Southeast Asia –the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. With just 5,000 Party members, the 15-year-old Party spread the ideology of national independence and freedom to more than 20 million Vietnamese people and gathered them on the same front. A national unity bloc – whose backbone was an alliance of workers, farmers, and intellectuals, and which embraced the people’s interests, needs, and aspirations – was created and sustained to make the August Revolution a success.

President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Professor Doctor Hoang Chi Bao of the Central Theoretical Council said, “The 1945 August Revolution evidenced the strength of national unity. Upholding patriotism and national tradition is important in creating national strength. As a result of the Revolution, a political regime representing the people’s power was established after nearly a century under the yoke of slavery and oppression and thousands of years of a feudalist monarchy.”

The great victory of the 1945 August Revolution taught valuable lessons about relying on the people and the importance of building and sustaining a national unity bloc.

The August Revolution also clearly revealed the vital role and brilliant leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. The strong sense of responsibility, dynamism, and creativity of loyal Party members made the Party’s leadership effective in moments that would be decisive for the nation.

Vu Quang Vinh, former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Party History magazine of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said:“The Party created and seized opportunities to persuade the people to stand up in a general uprising. Two important lessons that were learned were to closely follow the situation at home and abroad and to trust the Party’s leadership. “

Other lessons learned were about effective communication methods, organization and development of revolutionary forces, promotion of revolutionary movements, and seizing of opportunities. Associate Professor Doctor Ngo Dang Tri of the History Faculty of Hanoi National University says lessons about Party leadership during the August Revolution still need to be borne in mind.       

“The establishment of the Party, the August Revolution, the two national armed struggles, and particularly the national renewal process are major milestones that make us proud. They are fruits of the Party’s wisdom and devotion to the people and the nation. But we still need to stay vigilant, and constantly foster and rectify the Party,” said Mr. Tri.

The success of the August Revolution showed the Party’s ability, leadership, and fighting strength at an historic moment. Lessons learned from the Revolution are still relevant to today’s Party building and rectification, and to national renewal, development, and defense.