The victory of the August Revolution was not only a great turning point that ended the colonial - feudal regime, but also a revolution for humanity, for the right to life, the right to freedom, and the right to pursue happiness. It marked the beginning of a new era: the era of national independence closely linked with socialism. From that moment, human beings became the center, the goal, and the driving force of all revolutionary processes and national development strategies.
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On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly reads the Declaration of Independence declaring to the entire nation, compatriots and the world about the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (Filed photo) |
Revolution to liberate humanity
Before 1945, the Vietnamese people lived in the long night of slavery, oppressed under French colonialism and Japanese fascism, while also being bound by a decaying feudal system. The people had no rights whatsoever: no right to vote or stand for election, no freedom of speech or religion. Even the right to life was not guaranteed. Hunger, cold, exorbitant taxes, and relentless repression were part of daily existence.
In that context, the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1930 and especially the wise leadership of President Ho Chi Minh awakened the national spirit and laid the foundation for the people’s great revolution. The triumph of the August Revolution was the inevitable result of a long, thorough, and comprehensive preparation process but above all, it was the rise of millions from slavery to fight for control over the fate of the nation and their own lives.
On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, on behalf of the Provisional Government, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly declared to the entire nation and the world: “Vietnam has the right to be a free and independent country and is so already. The Vietnamese people are determined to mobilize all their physical and mental strength, to sacrifice their lives and property to safeguard that independence and liberty.” The Declaration of Independence rang out as a searing indictment of the colonial-feudal regime and a powerful affirmation of human rights, the right to life, and the right to happiness for every Vietnamese citizen.
Revolution for right to life, human dignity
A defining feature of the August Revolution was that it fundamentally and thoroughly secured the right to life. From being pushed to the brink of extinction by the 1945 famine, which claimed more than 2 million lives, the Vietnamese people regained sovereignty over their homeland, their right to exist and the right to live in a truly just and humane society. The revolution not only changed the destiny of the nation, but also transformed the fate of each individual.
Under the first democratic republic in Southeast Asia, for the first time, people were called “citizens” and enjoyed equal rights and obligations under the law. President Ho Chi Minh affirmed, “Our government is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” In the early days of independence, despite great national hardship, the Provisional Government enacted many humanitarian policies: abolishing oppressive taxes, organizing famine relief, reforming administrative procedures, and easing the people’s burdens.
The fledging democratic republic held general elections by universal suffrage, granting all social classes the right to vote and stand for election. Notably, Vietnamese women gained the right to vote and run for office as early as 1946, a remarkable advance at a time when many countries, including in the West, still restricted or had yet to fully recognize this right for women.
The August Revolution was truly a great leap forward in Vietnam’s social development, transitioning from a backward feudal society to a modern democratic one, and laying the foundation for today’s socialist rule-of-law state.
Awakening desire for freedom, happiness in every citizen
National independence is the prerequisite, but freedom and happiness are the ultimate goals. In the 1945 Declaration of Independence, President Ho Chi Minh quoted the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, emphasizing: “All men are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
This shows that the August Revolution was not only national in nature but also imbued with a humanist and human rights spirit. Since that great victory, “happiness” has been enshrined as a constitutional goal in every stage of national development. “Independence – Freedom – Happiness” are the three core values that form the foundation for the thought and action of every Vietnamese citizen.
Over the past 80 years, from resistance war to peace building, from the subsidy era to the period of renewal and deep international integration, the goal of “for the people” has been a consistent thread running through all Party and State policies.
The building and improvement of the legal system has been continually advanced, with a focus on safeguarding the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of the people. The 2013 Constitution marked an important milestone in constitutional history, with 36 articles directly devoted to human and citizen rights. On this basis, a series of specialized laws such as the Civil Code, Penal Code, Law on Children, Law on Gender Equality, and Law on Persons with Disabilities have been enacted to formalize rights, in line with domestic realities and international norms.
Alongside legal reforms, Vietnam has achieved many positive results in ensuring human rights in practice. The social security system has expanded in coverage and improved in quality. By the end of 2024, 95.52 million people, 94.2% of the population, were covered by health insurance. Hundreds of thousands of poor households, near-poor households, and people with meritorious service to the revolution have received housing support. Poverty reduction projects have yielded notable results, especially in ethnic minority areas and poor districts.
The State has paid special attention to protecting the rights of vulnerable groups such as children, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. The rate of children attending and completing primary school exceeds 98%, and women make up 30.26% of the 15th National Assembly, the highest proportion ever. Persons with disabilities, the elderly, and ethnic minorities benefit from numerous policies on health care, education, employment, and livelihood development, contributing to social equality and progress.
Alongside domestic efforts, Vietnam has joined international human rights conventions and served as a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 and 2023-2025 terms. Through this, it has reaffirmed its strong commitment to human rights and contributed to the international community’s common efforts to promote the universal values of freedom, equality, and human dignity.
The August Revolution of 1945 stands as a brilliant milestone in modern Vietnamese history, marking the first time that human rights, national rights, and human dignity were fully affirmed within an independent state. Eighty years on, Vietnam remains steadfast on the path of development for the people, for the happiness of the people, and for a democratic, just, civilized, and progressive society.
Source: VNA