Heavy hearted with the question of developing Nghe An homeland

On August 16-17, the National Congress held in Tan Trao approved 10 major policies of the Viet Minh, passed the general uprising order, decided on the national flag and national anthem, and elected the Central National Liberation Committee, a.k.a. the provisional government, with Ho Chi Minh as President.

Since the August Revolution, Nghe An has been the place where the uprising to seize power took place very vigorously, contributing significantly to the overall victory of the national revolution. Through two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, Nghe An, together with the whole country, has made important contributions to the revolutionary cause of national liberation and national reunification.

Entering the period of innovation, Nghe An, together with other provinces and cities across the country, has constantly sought suitable steps, thought of ways to rise up, and fulfilled President Ho Chi Minh's wish of "striving to make Nghe An quickly become one of the best provinces in the North".

People from all over know Nghe An for its good studies, responsible and methodical work, and hospitable and friendly hearts. However, many people are still wondering, finding it difficult to explain, and even pondering the question: "Why is Nghe An still slow to develop even though it has no shortage of potential for development?" and "Why have Nghe An's talents not really contributed much to the cause of developing their homeland?".

Nghe An has a diverse culture, rich in the identities of its ethnic groups. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On September 17, 1945, Uncle Ho sent a letter to comrades in Nghe An province, in which he emphasized the significance of the victory and lessons learned from the August Revolution, and also gave instructions and pointed out shortcomings that needed to be corrected. He affirmed: “The people's force is the greatest force. No one can defeat that force”. “In sabotage and fighting against the enemy for independence, it is easy to pull the whole people together. In construction, it is more difficult to pull together, because it affects the interests of a couple of classes”. From there, Uncle Ho suggested that the province must change bad habits, strengthen solidarity, and work together to build a prosperous homeland.

What everyone can see clearly is that Nghe An has plains, mountains, forests and seas; a lot of potential for development, rich in mineral resources, abundant labor force, especially intellectual resources that other provinces cannot have. But up to now, although it has changed a lot, Nghe An is still not a rich province, in dire need of a push to quickly rise up to match its potential.

In 1960, Uncle Ho wrote: During the uprising, our Party had only nearly 5,000 members but led the people of the whole country to victory in the August Revolution. Today, our Party's ranks have increased nearly 100 times, our people's government is strong, the people's army is powerful, the National Front is broad. Our workers, farmers and intellectuals are constantly being trained, tested and making progress... Under the Party's wise leadership, we will certainly succeed in the cause of building Socialism.

Civil servants of Nghi Thach commune, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An province handle administrative procedures for people. Photo: Archive

Nghe An province currently has a number of party members many times higher than the number of party members nationwide in 1945. However, the most important thing is not the quantity but the quality of party members, the quality of party cell activities at all levels; the sense of responsibility and duty of party members towards the Fatherland and the people, first of all knowing how to respect themselves, then towards the agency, unit where they work and the locality where they reside. As President Ho Chi Minh once said: "Our Party does not only need a large number, although a large number is good, but it must have the quality of a party member".

Therefore, promoting "Studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle" today is to improve the quality of cadres and party members who "wholeheartedly and wholeheartedly serve the Fatherland, serve the revolution, serve the people", "party members go first, the country follows"; fight to repel signs of political and ideological degradation, reduced fighting spirit, degradation of moral qualities, lifestyle, opportunism, individualism, pragmatism, bureaucracy, corruption, waste, lack of responsibility, even some people borrow the name of the Party for personal gain...

Quang Trung Street with modern high-rise apartment buildings. Photo: Archive

In the atmosphere of the historic Autumn 73 years ago, which is returning to the mountains and rivers of Vietnam, being aroused and spreading throughout the land and sky, it further urges everyone to actively apply the lessons and promote the spirit of the August Revolution in new conditions.

It is necessary to maintain the Party's leadership role, promote the spirit of great national unity, the will to win, and put the nation above all else, actively and proactively build internal strength, seize opportunities, launch emulation movements, create people's firm belief in the leadership, and focus on solving key tasks at each time, closely following the practical needs of the people...

With that mindset, Nghe An as well as many other provinces and cities across the country are striving to make the "August Revolution of the 21st century".