Society

From the historic fallto the aspiration to build the country

Minh Quan • August 19, 2025 08:32

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2 (1945 - 2025), Nghe An Newspaper, Radio and Television had an interview with Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai - Vice Principal of Vinh University's School of Education, about the historical values ​​and lessons of this important event.

PV: Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai, when you mention the "historic autumn" of 1945, how do you imagine that moment? Surely in the memory of a historical researcher like you, many special images and emotions appear?

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai:The autumn of 1945 ushered in an era of national independence, with revolutionary momentum spreading across the three regions like “a rising tide and a cascading waterfall”. On the streets of Hanoi, Hue, Saigon and many other localities, the red flag with a yellow star filled the sky, representing the aspiration for independence and national unity. The cries of “Long live Vietnamese independence!” and “Independence or death!” resounded, stirring the hearts of the people.

Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945 became a historic meeting place. In the brilliant autumn sunshine, millions of hearts turned to President Ho Chi Minh. When he solemnly read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the entire nation entered a new era - the era of independence and freedom.

The August Revolution was not only a great political event but also a national anthem. It both reminded us to honor our heroic history and urged us to take action to build a strong Vietnam.

PV: There is an opinion that the August Revolution succeeded because it knew how to "seize the golden opportunity". What factors do you think formed that "golden opportunity"?

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai:Yes, the “golden opportunity” is extremely important. In my opinion, the August victory was the result of the convergence of both objective and subjective factors.

Objectively, in 1945, the world situation changed dramatically. Nazi Germany was defeated, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and quickly defeated the Kwantung Army. On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally, creating a "power vacuum" in Indochina: the Japanese army was confused, the French army had not yet returned, and the puppet government was paralyzed. The opportunity only existed for a short 20 days, when Japan surrendered but the Allies had not yet entered.

In the country, after the French coup (March 9, 1945), the old ruling apparatus collapsed, the Tran Trong Kim government was powerless. The At Dau famine caused millions of deaths, the masses were driven to the end of the road, with no other way but to rise up to fight for the right to live.

Subjectively, since its inception (1930), the Communist Party of Vietnam has persistently built revolutionary forces, carefully prepared in terms of organization, cadres, bases and sought international support. When the opportunity came, the entire people with a seething patriotic spirit rose up like a storm.

The key point is that our Party correctly identified and promptly seized the opportunity. Thanks to that, in just 15 days (August 14-28, 1945), the government was in the hands of the people across the country, from rural to urban areas, from North to South.

PV: During that journey, what special marks did Nghe An leave that made a deep impression on you when you did your research?

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai:Nghe An is a land rich in tradition of patriotism and revolutionary struggle, once the center of the revolutionary movement of 1930 - 1931 with the peak of the Nghe Tinh Soviet - a strong demonstration of the strength of the worker-peasant alliance under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "The glorious tradition of the Nghe Tinh Soviet has promoted the revolutionary movement of the whole country to move forward and to the brilliant success of the August Revolution".

Immediately after the Japanese fascists announced their surrender, on August 15, 1945, the Viet Minh Inter-provincial Nghe Tinh met and instructed the prefectures and districts to proactively and flexibly revolt and seize power. On August 16, 1945, under the leadership of the Viet Minh Commune Front,Thanh Thuy(Nam Dan), the majority of people rose up together and successfully seized power. Thanh Thuy became the first commune in Nghe An to seize power.

Following Thanh Thuy, on August 18, 1945, the Quynh Luu Uprising Committee led armed masses to protest, surrounded the district office, forced the district chief to resign, established the district's "Provisional Revolutionary Government" and led the people to seize power in the communes and villages. Quynh Luu became the first district in the province to seize power.

From the initial victories, the revolutionary spirit quickly spread throughout the province: on August 18, power was seized in Quynh Luu; August 21 in Vinh city, Hung Nguyen district and Dien Chau (August 21 was later considered "the day of seizing power in the whole province"); August 22 in Nghia Dan; August 23 in Nam Dan, Thanh Chuong, Anh Son; August 25 in Nghi Loc, Yen Thanh; August 26 in Tuong Duong, Quy Chau.

On August 24, 1945, the Provisional People's Revolutionary Committee of Nghe An province was established, with comrade Le Viet Luong as Chairman. Within just 9 days (from August 18 to 26, 1945), the general uprising in Nghe An achieved complete victory.

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The victory of Nghe An - a strategic location, not only affirmed the indomitable fighting tradition of the people of the province but also contributed significantly to the overall victory of the whole country, creating the resounding success of the nation in the August Revolution.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai - Vice Principal of Vinh University's School of Education

PV: If you had to draw one or two biggest lessons from the August Revolution for today, what would they be?

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai:The victory of the August Revolution in 1945 left many valuable lessons, enriching the Vietnamese revolutionary tradition and contributing to supplementing the revolutionary theory of Marxism-Leninism, including two lessons that have lasting value until today.

Firstly, maintaining the Party's leadership role and promoting the great national unity bloc: The August Revolution affirmed the decisive role of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the strength of national unity. That victory shows that, in order to gain and maintain national independence, we must firmly uphold the Party's wise leadership and persevere in the goal of "national independence associated with socialism". In the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today, that requires the Party to constantly consolidate its mettle, improve its leadership capacity and be closely attached to the people.

Second is to promote the spirit of patriotism, independence and self-reliance and seize opportunities: The victory in 1945 is a testament to the strength of the aspiration for independence and freedom, the spirit of patriotism and the art of seizing revolutionary opportunities. Today, that spirit continues to illuminate the work of building and defending the country: firmly upholding the path of independence and self-reliance in the fields of politics, economics, national defense and diplomacy; at the same time knowing how to creatively seize opportunities in industrial and technological development and international integration to enhance the nation's position.

PV: At school, when teaching and working with students, how do you often convey the spirit of that revolution so that students can understand its relevance and vitality today?

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai:The August Revolution was a brilliant milestone, affirming the strength of national unity and self-reliance. With the mission of "nurturing" the future generation, pedagogical students must be imbued with the lessons of patriotism, solidarity and indomitable resilience.

At the teacher training school, we always promote the value of “Party’s will, people’s heart” and the creative spirit of teachers, as Uncle Ho advised. Education of revolutionary ideals therefore becomes the top priority. Teachers not only impart knowledge but also arouse in students the desire to build and serve the Fatherland. Today’s teacher training students need to be clearly aware that they will continue to write the “golden pages of history” of the nation with their intelligence, courage and responsibility.

PV: On the occasion of the 80th anniversary, what message do you want to send to today's young generation?

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Vu Tai:The August Revolution is an immortal historical testament to the power of patriotism and the will for national independence. Today's young generation not only needs to be proud of that tradition but also needs to turn that pride into motivation to study and create, so that each step forward contributes to enriching the Fatherland.

If in 1945, all our people united to rise up and seize power, today, national unity is the key to integration, sustainable development and maintaining sovereignty in a fierce international competitive environment. Each young person needs to nurture the spirit of sharing and cooperation, overcoming personal ego to join hands for the benefit of the community and the nation.

At the same time, the young generation must maintain the spirit of independence and self-reliance, along with expanding its global vision, being ready to innovate, master science and technology to bring the country into a new era. Eighty years ago, our ancestors wrote the autumn of independence with blood, tears and faith. Today, the young generation should write the bright spring of the nation with intelligence, aspiration and creativity - so that the Vietnamese Fatherland will forever exist and be strong.

PV: Thank you for the conversation!