Peace - a sacred value
In July, people from all over the country quietly return to the war cemeteries. The incense sticks are lit not only to remember those who have fallen, but also to remind each person of the most sacred value: Peace.
23/7/2026
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In July, people from all over the country quietly return to the war cemeteries. The incense sticks are lit not only to remember those who have fallen, but also to remind each person of the most sacred value: Peace.
Human history shows that peace has never been a natural state. It is always the result of sacrifices, of the will to protect independence and sovereignty, and of the aspiration to live in freedom and dignity. For the Vietnamese people, that price was paid with blood, with youth, and with countless separations spanning generations. There are young men who left their homeland in their twenties and never returned. There are soldiers who returned with their bodies no longer intact, carrying the scars and memories of war for the rest of their lives. And there are countless searches for the remains of fallen comrades that have lasted for decades and are still not resolved.
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During a visit to a wounded veteran who had fought in the Quang Tri battlefield, I still vividly remember his words: "I am so much luckier to be alive today than so many of my comrades who have fallen." The old soldier burst into tears. These weren't tears for his own wounds, but for those who were forever cut short at the age of twenty. Perhaps, no lesson about war is more profound than the tears of the living for those who have passed away.
However, viewing peace solely from the perspective of the past is insufficient. Looking at the world today, war remains a significant part of human life. The conflict in Ukraine continues, with its losses seemingly endless. In the Middle East, fighting and airstrikes, including the conflict between Iran and Israel and numerous other hotspots, continue to plunge millions into insecurity. In many places, bombs and bullets still claim the lives of innocent people; millions are forced to flee their homes as refugees; countless children lose their families, their schools, and their childhoods amidst air raid sirens and rubble.
What the Vietnamese people have experienced, elsewhere in the world, remains a reality. This reminds us that peace is never a given; it remains humanity's greatest aspiration.
The development of technology allows people to witness war almost in real time. But technology also sometimes creates a paradox: War is reduced to short video clips lasting only a few dozen seconds on a phone screen. People can quickly glance at an image of a child running away from a bombed area as fast as they would at an entertainment film. Emotions become fleeting; people gradually lose the ability to empathize with the losses and tragedies of war and easily consider peace as something that should have always existed. And that is a forgetfulness worth reflecting upon.
History shows that no peace lasts forever if people take it for granted. A country is only truly peaceful when it builds its strength from within, with a developed economy, a stable society, a rich and distinctive culture, a strong national defense, and above all, the unity of its people. Therefore, maintaining peace is not only the responsibility of the armed forces or those working in foreign affairs. It is also the responsibility of every citizen in their way of life, work, and conduct towards the community.
Looking at Vietnam today, we appreciate even more the value of peace. Highways stretching from North to South. Modern industrial zones attracting international investment. Bustling seaports. Foreign businesses choosing Vietnam as their destination. International tourists coming to explore a safe and friendly country. Millions of students going to school every morning. Millions of workers able to work, create, and pursue their dreams. These things may seem so familiar that we rarely stop to reflect. But in reality, these achievements can only be built on a foundation of peace.
Peace is not just the silence of guns. Peace is a condition for development, a space for creativity, and an opportunity for every person to live a normal life—and sometimes, a normal life is the greatest luxury in places still plagued by war.
In a turbulent world, peace is also a competitive advantage for a nation. No investor wants to place their trust in an unstable place. No education system can thrive amidst war. No society can speak of prosperity if it faces bombs and violence every day. Therefore, every achievement of the country today, from economic growth and international integration to changes in people's lives, is a testament to the value of peace and a continuation of the unfulfilled aspirations of generations who sacrificed themselves.
This also reminds us that gratitude truly has meaning only when we express our appreciation not just through incense burning in July or solemn moments of silence, but also by doing our jobs well. A dedicated teacher; a worker who works with all their responsibility; a farmer who creates bountiful harvests; a businessman who conducts honest business; a scientist who diligently conducts research; a dedicated official who serves the people; a young person who constantly learns, innovates, and contributes... Every Vietnamese citizen loves their country in their own way, and in any position, they can contribute to the overall development of the nation.
The price of peace will perhaps never have a complete answer, because that price lies not only in what the past sacrificed, but also in the responsibility of the present to ensure that those sacrifices do not become meaningless. The only thing we can do is to live up to the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers; that is, to preserve independence, protect peace, cultivate national unity, and together build an increasingly prosperous and happy Vietnam. A nation that knows how to be grateful for the past has the strength to build the future. And a country can only progress when each citizen knows how to live up to the price that our ancestors paid to achieve the peace we have today.
