Important Anniversaries

75th Anniversary of the Founding of Socialist Vietnam Celebrated in Canada

Flag-raising at Toronto City Hall in honour of Vietnam's National Day.

On September 2, Canadians from coast to coast participated in an online celebration of the 75th anniversary of the August Revolution and Declaration of Independence by President Ho Chi Minh in 1945. The event was organized by the Canada Vietnam Friendship Society and the program included a keynote address by His Excellency the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Canada Pham Cao Phong. The Ambassador also participated in a commemorative event held in Toronto on August 20 marking these historic Vietnamese anniversaries, where attendance was restricted because of the pandemic.

Earlier in the day, flag raising ceremonies were held at City Hall in Ottawa and Toronto in honour of Vietnam's National Day. A short video of these ceremonies started off the online anniversary celebration.

In his keynote address Ambassador Pham expressed his great pleasure at addressing the Canadian people on this historic occasion. He spoke with pride of the victory of the Vietnamese people 75 years ago in establishing their democratic republic under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Vietnam. The victory of the August Revolution and founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was rooted, he said, in the "tradition of patriotism, intelligence, bravery and the indomitable spirit of the entire Vietnamese people under the correct revolutionary path, strategic leadership and vision of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Uncle Ho."

He also pointed out that the struggle to establish their democratic people's republic was and is a source of inspiration to the anti-colonial struggle and fight for independence worldwide.

Ambassador Pham also touched on the Doi Moi (Renewal) reforms launched by the Communist Party of Vietnam 35 years ago which have resulted in historic achievements in revitalization, growth and development in all spheres of life in Vietnam. For example, for the last two decades Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies worldwide. Poverty which once gripped 70 per cent of the population has now been reduced to six per cent. It has given rise to the kind of beautiful and prosperous country that President Ho Chi Minh envisioned, setting the stage for a bright and prosperous future for Vietnam.

Over the last six months COVID-19 has presented the largest non-traditional security challenge since the Second World War. Vietnam has now recorded over 1,000 infectious cases, while over 700 have fully recovered. The economy is in recovery too. Vietnam enjoys a 2.58 per cent growth rate, the fifth fastest worldwide in 2020 and has a positive perspective in mid- and long-term growth.

Ambassador Pham also highlighted the strengthening of bilateral relations between Canada and Vietnam in economic and other spheres. Vietnam is currently Canada's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. He also expressed deep appreciation for the cooperation and friendship of the Government of Canada, the warm feelings of the Canadian people for Vietnam and the Vietnamese people and the patriotism of the Vietnamese community in Canada. He concluded by highlighting that although he has been in Canada just a short while, he has been "deeply touched by the warmth and sentiments of the Canadian people, the Canada Vietnam Friendship Society and other friends towards Vietnam and on the joyful atmosphere today. Let us together celebrate the 75th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam's National Day."

Following Ambassador Pham's keynote address, two short videos with historical footage were shown, one which highlighted the path President Ho Chi Minh laid out to liberate Vietnam from colonial rule and the other on the sweeping victories of the August Revolution which led to the Declaration of Independence, Vietnam's National Day, on September 2, 1945.

A lively discussion ensued. Participants highlighted the heroism of the Vietnamese people under the historic leadership of Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Vietnam. It is living testimony of how a people can liberate themselves through their own efforts, and face down and defeat the most brutal and well-armed adversaries when they have an aim for their society, a revolutionary party to unite the people and revolutionary theory illuminating their path.

The program was concluded with the inaugural launch of the Ho Chi Minh Arts Virtual Museum by Professor Nguyen Dai Trang and Vietnamese youth. This project has been worked on for months and its aim is to be an online repository for resources related to the life of the legendary leader of the Vietnamese people, Ho Chi Minh. It is interactive; a beautiful repository of fine art, music, poems and writings about and by Ho Chi Minh. To visit the Museum click here.

This article was published in

Volume 50 Number 33 - September 5, 2020

Article Link:
Important Anniversaries: 75th Anniversary of the Founding of Socialist Vietnam Celebrated in Canada

    

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