These opinions are wrong as they do not reflect the will, aspiration and sentiment of Vietnamese people. They only expose a wicked scheme of certain hostile forces under the label of Vietnamese people living overseas to deny the just cause of Vietnamese people over the past 60 years.

The red flag with a five-pointed gold star in the centre is the national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It was created during the Nam Ky (Southern) Uprising and was recognised as a heroic symbol of the Vietnamese nation at the Tan Trao National People’s Congress in August 1945.

On September 2, 1945, which marked the birth of a new Vietnam, the flag bearing the soul of the Vietnamese nation was hoisted at Ba Dinh square in Hanoi. The flag was recognised by Vietnamese people from all walks of life, regardless of religious or non-religious people and by the constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The flag had traveled with Vietnamese through 30 years of national liberation and was seen flying magnificently in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City on April 30, 1975.

A year later, the Vietnam National Assembly issued a resolution recognizing the red flag with a five-pointed gold star in the centre as the national flag of a unified Vietnam. On September 20, 1976, the national flag was hoisted at United Nations Headquarters among other national flags of more than 190 countries in the world, when Vietnam became an official member of the world’s largest organisation.

Every time when State leaders from other countries are on an official visit to Vietnam, regardless of their political status, all solemnly salute the flag as a diplomatic protocol. This shows their recognition of and respect for the national flag - a symbol of a sovereignty state.

The obvious evidence is enough to confirm that the red flag with a five-pointed gold star in the centre is the only flag which represents Vietnam and holds an irreplaceable position in international relations. Those who demand reconsideration of the existence of the gold-star red flag as well as its being identical with the flag of the former Saigon regime are not representatives of more than 80 million Vietnamese people. They are no more than a few overseas Vietnamese who still bear old grudges against the nation and are abetted by hostile forces in an attempt to change the current political regime in Vietnam.

It is not by chance that they voice such erroneous opinions at a time when Vietnamese people are jubilantly celebrating the 61^st anniversary of the success of the August Revolution and the National Day (September 2) – two historical events of great magnitude closely associated with the national flag. Obviously, their opinions run counter to historical reality and trample upon the sacred symbol of the Vietnamese State as well as the self-respect of Vietnamese people.

During these days, Vietnamese people are busy but filled with joy celebrating the National Day. They all bear in their hearts the great significance of the national flag and always respect it. A large number of Vietnamese nationals living abroad also do the same.

A Vietnamese Thai who has just returned home to attend National Day celebrations says in an emotional voice, “Every year, on this occasion, I feel happy to touch the national flag and remember that it is soaked with the sweat of my mother, the blood of my father and many other people who have laid down their lives for the nation. I love the national flag simply because it is a symbol of their sacrifices for national independence and freedom.”

In the face of Vietnamese people’s deep respect for the national flag, no hostile forces can deny its existence, let alone its significance as the only flag that represents the country’s earnest aspirations for independence, freedom and happiness.