Vietnam's 'Tet Doc Lap': National Holiday of Celebration and Historical Significance

In Vietnam, September 2nd, Independence Day, holds a unique significance and is celebrated by the people as 'Tet Doc Lap' (Tet of Independence). This term is relatively rare globally, reflecting Vietnam's distinct historical context in referring to the day of national founding or independence achievement. The 80-year period of French colonial rule was a history of struggle for independence, marked by the blood and tears of many generations. The Communist Party of Vietnam was founded on February 3, 1930, leading the working class and progressive segments of the population in the fight for independence. The spirit of "rights must be won by one's own hands," as expressed by Maxim Gorky in his play 'The Lower Depths,' symbolizes the Vietnamese people's strong will for independence. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, following the Nghe-Tinh Soviet movement (1930-1931) and the success of the August Revolution in 1945, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was proclaimed on September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square. This Independence Day is positioned not just as a holiday, but as a day to celebrate the establishment of fundamental national rights. This year's Independence Day holiday saw civil servants enjoy a continuous five-day break, with many citizens traveling to tourist destinations or their hometowns to spend time with family. However, behind the festivities lies the history of how the right to independence was fiercely defended through prolonged resistance against the French, culminating in the Dien Bien Phu victory and continuing until the reunification of Vietnam on April 30, 1975. Amidst the 'Tet Doc Lap,' a campaign called the "500 Days and Nights" is underway across Vietnam and even in neighboring Laos and Cambodia, honoring those who sacrificed for the nation. The discovery of hundreds of martyrs' remains at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City serves as a stark reminder that every inch of the homeland and every moment of freedom and independence are imbued with the blood of countless heroes and martyrs. Similar to the Declaration of Independence of the past, each generation of the Vietnamese nation is determined to dedicate all its spirit, strength, lives, and property to preserve this right to freedom and independence. Source: Nhan Dan