In the meantime, both the Vietnamese and international media also cover legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap’s 100th birthday.

Public concern about his health has become a social issue since last year when the country marked its capital city’s millennial anniversary. Everyone wishes General Giap good health and continued longevity so he will be able to witness many more historic national events.

There are many good reasons for such respect for General Vo Nguyen Giap, an excellent student of Ho Chi Minh, who has learned the most from the spirit, thoughts, morality and personality of the beloved late President.

General Giap is considered an outstanding individual of the Ho Chi Minh era because of his lifestyle and contributions to national development.

We can learn a lot about patriotism and attitudes towards the nation through different generations of revolutionary veterans like General Vo Nguyen Giap.

What the country has gained today is due to the great efforts made by the talented leaders in pursuit of Ho Chi Minh's motto of “Independence, Freedom and Happiness” to build a new regime.

The nation must continue to preserve its independence to ensure the people enjoy a free and happy life.

To achieve that goal, we should be fully aware of Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts on national unity to continue defending the nation.

We examine the current political upheavals in Libya and Iraq, which lead to international intervention on account of their failure to find peaceful solutions for their internal conflicts. The people in those countries now find it difficult to see how their natural resources will be tapped, how their political regimes will be dominated and when a peaceful life will return.

There is no denying that the maintenance of peace and independence has cost a lot of blood and tears.

Over the past 66 years, Vietnam has spent 30 years fighting the war, 10 years finding an appropriate development model in the post-war period, and 25 years implementing the process of Doi Moi (Renewal).

It is worth noting that Vietnam started its international integration process only four years ago after becoming a full member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and it is still short of experience in dealing with the direct impact of the global economy.

Through open discussions based on the sprit of national unity, our regime has overcome many difficulties. It always respects every citizen’s right to show patriotism but, they also have to respect the efforts of the majority to ensure peace, stability and national development.

National unity and social harmony can only be created through dialogue to reach effective solutions.

The recent meetings and dialogues between Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and scientists; between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and cabinet members; and between municipal leaders and individuals have conveyed a message of respect for national interests in a democratic spirit which will lead to sound polices to promote the process of national development. That is what Ho Chi Minh wished in his message of Independence, Freedom and Happiness.