80 years: A spirit of construction, a continuation of miracles.

This morning (August 19th), that momentum was further amplified as 250 projects and works with a total investment of 1.28 trillion VND were simultaneously launched.The inauguration and groundbreaking ceremony were held to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd, sending a powerful message on the journey to lead the country into an era of development, prosperity, and strength.

On the turbulent Da River, the Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant stands tall as a witness to the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people during difficult times. When construction began in 1979, the country was just recovering from war, its economy was devastated, and there was a severe electricity shortage.

With the help of the Soviet Union, tens of thousands of engineers and workers toiled day and night on the construction site, taming the raging river, moving concrete blocks and turbines into position to create the largest hydroelectric power plant in Southeast Asia for many decades, with a capacity of 1,920 MW and an output of 8.16 billion kWh/year, before the site was handed over to Son La Hydroelectric Power Plant in 2012.

Following the success of the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Power Plant, Vietnam faced a new challenge: bringing electricity from the North to the South to address the power shortage in the Central and Southern regions.

In 1992, under the direct guidance of the late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, the first 500 kV North-South power line project was launched. In just two years, more than 1,487 km of power lines crossed mountains, forests, and the treacherous Hai Van Pass, connecting the two regions of Vietnam's power grid.

Many called it a "miracle of the 20th century," not only because of its technical scale but also because it was completed in record time, under limited technological and material conditions. When electricity reached the South from the North, it marked a turning point in socio-economic development: factories and plants operated more stably, production was no longer interrupted, and people's lives improved significantly.

If the Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant and the 500 kV transmission line are strategic achievements in energy, then the Ho Chi Minh Highway is a strategic landmark in transportation.

Construction began in 2000, and this road stretches from Pac Bo (Cao Bang) to Dat Mui (Ca Mau), covering more than 3,180 km. It is the country's second north-south axis, parallel to National Highway 1A, paving the way for mountainous, border, and Central Highlands regions to develop.

Along the majestic Trường Sơn mountain range, memories of the legendary wartime transport route continue to intertwine with the new rhythm of life. Amidst the vast forests, convoys of vehicles carrying goods, agricultural products, and materials travel back and forth, spreading economic vitality throughout the region.

The Ho Chi Minh Trail has become a symbol of the "pioneering" spirit in peacetime, a strategic step to narrow the development gap between regions, and to connect the socio-economic space of the entire country.

The Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant, the 500 kV North-South transmission line, and the Ho Chi Minh Highway have become iconic projects, three of the eight outstanding national projects since 1975 that were honored in 2018 through a selection organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. Each project originated from an urgent need but transcended its immediate purpose to become a long-term foundation for the future.

In 2025, the autumn of Vietnam's 80th anniversary of independence, the country marks a special milestone: Building on the glorious memories of its history, the nation continues to move forward with new projects of contemporary significance. In accordance with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's Directive No. 129/CĐ-TTg dated August 7, 2025, 250 large-scale projects and constructions will be simultaneously launched and inaugurated across the country.

On this occasion, the Nghe An Oncology Hospital project (phase 2) in Vinh Hung ward, Nghe An province, is one of 80 locations selected by the Prime Minister for live television broadcast, one of 34 locations attended by Party and State leaders, Ministers, and heads of ministerial-level agencies, and one of 9 locations where representatives from the Government, ministries, localities, businesses, and citizens delivered speeches.

This is a strategically important project that will improve the quality of medical examination and treatment for the people not only in Nghe An but also in the North Central region.

When President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, he not only officially gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam but also ushered in a new era, marking a historical turning point for the Vietnamese nation on the path to freedom, independence, and sustainable development.

Eighty years since National Day, his words still resonate, serving as a guiding light for our nation's journey of building and defending the country.

From a country once mired in backward agriculture, poverty, and the devastating consequences of war, Vietnam has continuously strived and risen strongly to become a dynamic, modern economy with an increasingly synchronized infrastructure system, significantly improved material and spiritual lives for its people, and an increasingly prominent position on the international stage.

The image of hundreds of new construction projects being inaugurated and commenced simultaneously across the country to commemorate the 80th anniversary of independence is not only a vivid testament to the comprehensive development of the nation, but also sends a powerful message about the nation's steadfastness and perseverance on the path towards modernization and deep international integration; it is a call to arms for the entire nation to nurture aspirations to reach new heights, to work together to preserve and promote the achievements of generations; it is a symbol of the spirit of continuous innovation and creativity to build a prosperous, democratic, just, and civilized country.

This event also underscores the message: Today's generation is both the successor and the pioneer. The spirit of conquering the Da River, crossing the Truong Son Mountains, and connecting the North-South power grid is present in every project.

Looking back at past infrastructure achievements shows that every major project begins with a courageous decision. Without determination, there is no groundbreaking; without unity, there is no inauguration; without vision, there is no lasting structure.

From the autumn of 1945 to the present day, Vietnam has faced countless arduous challenges but has never retreated. The groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies for hundreds of projects on August 19, 2025, are a way to honor the past, live fully in the present, and proactively pave the way for the future.