Within this historical flow, the Years of the Horse stand out as particularly significant milestones, closely associated with epoch-making decisions.
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An overview of the opening of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Photo: Trong Hai) |
Year of the Horse 1930 – Origin of a change in national destiny
It is no coincidence that history has repeatedly “chosen” the Year of the Horse as a turning point. Beneath this lies the convergence of objective and subjective conditions, the aspirations of the nation, the bravery and intellectual capacity of the Party’s leadership, and the strength of the people. Together, these factors generated “leaps” in thinking, vision, and development path of the country.
In the spring of the Year of the Horse 1930, the Communist Party of Vietnam was founded, marking a monumental turning point in national history. This was not only a political event, but also an inevitable choice of history itself, bringing an end to decades of crisis in the path toward national salvation.
The founding of the Party was the crystallization of the patriotic movement, the political awakening of the working class and broad strata of the people, and especially the creative application of Marxism-Leninism to Vietnam’s specific conditions. Through thorough preparation in ideology, organization, and political line, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh wisely addressed the core issues of the Vietnamese revolution: identifying national liberation linked with socialism; building the great national unity bloc; and establishing the leadership role of a vanguard force equipped with scientific theory, clear objectives, and appropriate revolutionary methods.
Thus, the Year of the Horse 1930 became the “origin of all victories,” a historic milestone that shaped Vietnam’s development trajectory throughout the 20th century and continues to illuminate the present and the future.
Year of the Horse 1954 – Pinnacle of Vietnam’s resolve and wisdom
Twenty-four years after the Party’s founding, history once again recorded another Year of the Horse in 1954 with the Dien Bien Phu Victory as the pinnacle of the resistance war against the French colonialists and a brilliant milestone in both Vietnamese and global military history.
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The “Determined-to-fight, Determined-to-win" flag on the roof of De Castries’ bunker on the afternoon of May 7, 1954 (A filed photo) |
The Dien Bien Phu Victory vividly demonstrated the Party’s wise and resolute leadership. The strategic decision to shift the combat approach from “quick attack, quick victory” to “steady attack, steady advance” reflected scientific, flexible military thinking.
Behind the military triumph was a miracle of logistics and people’s warfare organization with hundreds of thousands of volunteer porters; tens of thousands of cargo bicycles; and tens of thousands of tons of food and weapons transported by willpower, faith, and patriotism. This was the combined strength of the entire nation rallied under the Party’s leadership.
The Dien Bien Phu Victory contributed to the collapse of the old colonialism on a global scale and affirmed a profound truth that a small nation, if it possesses justice, a correct path, and wise leadership, can defeat powerful aggressors.
Year of the Horse 2026 – Development aspirations in a new era
Entering the Year of the Horse 2026, Vietnam stands at a new development milestone closely associated with a major political event: the successful organization of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Amidst rapid, complex, and unpredictable global changes, the significance of the Year of the Horse 2026 has become even more profound.
After four decades of renewal, Vietnam has achieved major and comprehensive accomplishments, laying an important foundation for a higher stage of development. At the same time, the country faces new global challenges, including strategic competition among major powers, supply chain shifts, climate change, population aging, and the requirement of fast but sustainable development.
In this context, the 14th National Party Congress carries long-term strategic significance: building an independent and self-reliant economy closely linked with deep international integration; promoting digital transformation and the development of a green, knowledge-based economy; maximizing human potential; and continuing to build and rectify the Party and political system to be healthy and strong.
The Year of the Horse 2026 marks the starting point of a new development journey, turning the aspiration for a strong and prosperous Vietnam into reality. From the Year of the Horse 1930 to the Year of the Horse 1954 and now the Year of the Horse 2026, history has revealed a consistent meaning: every major advance of the nation is closely tied to the intellect and resolve of the Party, and to the Vietnamese people’s enduring aspiration for independence, freedom, and sustainable development.
Translated by Mai Huong