Following the success of the August Revolution in 1945, the newly-established Democratic Republic of Vietnam had to struggle against enemies both at home and abroad and spreading famine. The French colonialists re-invaded Vietnam, forcing Vietnamese people to rise up to defend their homeland. On December 19, 1946, the national resistance struggle broke out. President Ho Chi Minh made an appeal urging all Vietnamese people to rise up for national salvation. The appeal was a strategic direction for Vietnamese people from the beginning of the struggle against the French colonialists.

President Ho Chi Minh made appeal for national resistance on December 19, 1946

National salvation proclamation

In his appeal for national resistance, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: “We want peace, we have to make concessions. But the more we make concessions, the more the French colonialists encroach on us because they want to take over our country again. No! We are better off sacrificing everything than losing our country and becoming slaves. Those who have guns will use guns. Those who have swords will use swords. If [you] don’t have swords, then use hoes, spades, sticks and canes. Everyone must try to fight against the French colonialists to save our country.”

President Tran Dai Quang wrote that President Ho Chi Minh’s appeal for national resistance was a national salvation proclamation inspiring national pride to uphold the national heroic tradition and the staunchness of the Vietnamese people and urging the whole nation to rise up for national independence and freedom. In response to President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese people and army rose up to fight against the French colonialists. The struggle first broke out in Hanoi and then spread nationwide. After 9 years, the Vietnamese people defeated the French colonialists despite American intervention, culminating n the world-shaking Dien Bien Phu victory.

President Quang’s article highlights the fundamental principles and decisive factors behind the victory are the correct and creative revolutionary guidelines applied under the talented leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam led by President Ho Chi Minh. It was a victory of the Vietnamese people’s wisdom and strength, international support, and national solidarity.

Valuable lesson for national renovation

The article says the lessons about national combined strength and universal struggle remain valid. In the cause of national construction and defense, the Vietnamese Party, people, and army need to bring into play their political determination and the strength of national unity. It’s necessary to focus on building policies and mechanisms that combine cultural development with human development, human development with economic development, and economic development with environmental protection. It’s also important to respect and promote the mastery of the people while at the same time, upholding citizen responsibility, obligation, discipline, and obedience to the law. The people’s right to mastery needs to be upheld in state and social management and Party building,

In his article, President Tran Dai Quang highlights the importance of prioritizing national interests, promoting peace, justice, and the universal values of humankind, and reconciling national interests with those of other countries in line with international law. President Quang stressed the need to expand and deepen international cooperation, elevate Vietnam’s status in the international arena, strengthen the People’s Army and Police, minimize the risk of war or violent conflicts, remain vigilant, defend national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and borders and maintain an environment of peace and stability to enable sustainable national growth.

The article calls on the Party, people, and army to uphold national patriotism and seize opportunities to make national renovation and revolution a success.