April 30 marks a milestone in the nation’s history, when the country was reunified and the aspirations for independence, freedom and peace of generations of Vietnamese became reality. It is a day of remembrance and a moment to better understand the qualities that define Vietnam today.

From mettle in wartime victory to mettle in nation-building during peace forms a continuous flow of will, culture, intellect, patriotism and aspiration for a strong, humane and prosperous Vietnam.

Mettle forged in victory

Certain dates grow more meaningful over time. April 30 is one of them. It marked the total liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, ending years of division and opening a new period of peace, independence and development. But if viewed only as a military event or a historical milestone, its full significance is not yet grasped. April 30 is also a symbol of Vietnam’s mettle: the mettle not to yield, the mettle to rise, the mettle to unite, and the ability to turn the aspiration for independence, freedom and reunification into reality.

That mettle has been shaped by thousands of years of nation-building and defence. Despite repeated wars and critical challenges, and despite facing forces far stronger in material terms, the Vietnamese people never lost their belief in their right to live, to be independent and to determine their own future. In the spring of 1975, that mettle came together into a combined strength of the entire nation: the strength of a sound line, creative military art, great national unity, the will for reunification and the aspiration for peace.

Each April 30 brings back memories of rapid advances towards Saigon, the moment the victory flag flew over the Independence Palace, and the joy of millions when the country was reunified. Yet behind that joy was great sacrifice: the youth of soldiers who never returned, the grief of mothers who saw their sons off without a promised return, the pain of families still waiting for news of loved ones, and the sacrifice of a nation that placed independence, freedom and reunification above all else.

Vietnam’s mettle, therefore, is not only the courage to fight, but also the willingness to sacrifice for the common cause. It is not only bravery in the face of war, but also endurance, unity and unwavering belief in reunification. A country may be divided by historical circumstances, but the Vietnamese people have never accepted division in spirit.

In an article marking the anniversary, Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the April 30, 1975 victory was “the result of the Vietnamese people’s iron determination for a unified country that cannot be divided by any force”. This shows that Vietnam’s mettle lies first in upholding national truth and unity.

April 30 is therefore a milestone of the past and a reference for the present. It shows what the nation has achieved and what it can continue to achieve through unity, shared purpose and action.

From safeguarding the nation to developing it

History does not grant any generation the right to remain in past glory. The significance of April 30 lies not only in ending war, but also in opening the responsibility to develop the country in peace. A nation that has shown mettle in war must continue to show mettle in development. Territorial unity must be accompanied by unity in trust, values and aspiration.

If in war Vietnam’s mettle meant readiness to face sacrifice to defend independence and reunification, then in peace it must be shown through innovation, reform, integration and self-reliance. If in war patriotism meant going to the front line, then in peace patriotism is shown in doing one’s work well, respecting the law, maintaining order, improving productivity, mastering science and technology, caring for people and contributing to sustainable development.

At Hung Kings Temple in 2026, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s words: “The Hung Kings founded the nation; we must together protect it”, and affirmed that building the country was the work of ancestors, while safeguarding and developing it is the responsibility of present and future generations. In today’s context, safeguarding the nation means not only protecting sovereignty, but also maintaining peace and stability for development, safeguarding public trust, preserving culture and identity, ensuring integrity in governance and protecting national resources for future generations.

Amid a rapidly changing and complex world, Vietnam’s development mettle must be approached with seriousness. Strategic competition, climate change, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and other emerging challenges require foresight, sound judgement, effective organisation and adaptive capacity.

It is the mettle to renew development thinking, remove institutional bottlenecks, eliminate barriers to growth, open space for new ideas and take responsibility before the people. It is the mettle to build a streamlined and effective apparatus, prevent corruption and waste, and create a transparent and stable legal environment so that all social resources can be mobilised. It is the mettle to make science, technology, innovation and digital transformation key drivers of development, and to ensure Vietnam does not fall behind.

Continuing Vietnam’s mettle through culture, people and aspiration

Vietnam’s mettle lies not only in victory, but also in reconciliation, reconstruction and development after war. A nation that has endured loss without losing compassion, that has suffered yet still moves toward peace, that has won yet still seeks harmony, that is a nation with a deep cultural foundation.

National reconciliation, as emphasised by To Lam, “does not mean forgetting history or erasing differences, but accepting different perspectives in a spirit of tolerance and respect, to work towards a greater goal: building a peaceful, unified, strong, civilised and prosperous Vietnam.”

Continuing Vietnam’s mettle today begins with culture. Culture is not the final addition to development. It is the spiritual foundation of society, an internal resource, a form of soft power and a guiding force that allows the country to develop without losing direction.

It also means continuing through people. War required courage and sacrifice; peace requires knowledge, discipline, responsibility, creativity and humanity. There can be no strong nation without responsible citizens, no civilised society without a culture of conduct, and no innovative economy without an environment that encourages talent and integrity.

Patriotism today is doing one’s work well in daily life: studying seriously, engaging in creative work, living honestly, complying with the law, upholding what is right, fighting what is wrong, preserving culture, protecting the environment, and contributing to the peace, civility and development of the community.

Ultimately, development must be measured by people’s well-being. A country cannot rely solely on growth or the size of its economy if people do not feel their lives are safer, fairer and more liveable.

April 30 gave Vietnam a unified country. The responsibility today is to make that country stronger, more humane and more prosperous. If previous generations wrote Vietnam’s mettle with blood, sacrifice, courage and the will for unity, today’s generation must continue it through innovation, discipline, culture and aspiration.

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