That sacred, immortal call of President Ho Chi Minh resonates through the generations of the Vietnamese people. It is not only to tell future generations about a heroic and glorious era, but it has also become a truth, an unshakable principle in the journey of building and developing the nation.

President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945. Photo: Document

"Independence and freedom" are the most sacred and valuable things for every individual, every nation, and all of humanity. With independence and freedom, everything is possible; without them, nothing can be achieved. Therefore, whether in times of war or peace, "Independence and freedom" are the aspirations, will, desire, and determination of all nations, across all eras, without any distinction.

Throughout the course of the country's history, the Vietnamese people have steadfastly fought for this sacred right to independence and freedom, from the long, arduous, and sacrifice-filled revolution, to the ongoing journey towards building socialism today.

The call to action on that day – July 17, 1966 – along with the historic words: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," rallied, united, and urged the entire nation to embark on a long and arduous struggle against foreign invaders with all its might, for the integrity and unity of the country. As a result, we successfully repelled the U.S. strategic counteroffensive during the dry season (1966-1967), followed by the Tet Offensive and Uprising of 1968, forcing the U.S. to sit down for negotiations in Paris. This marked a turning point in the resistance against American imperialism and severely weakened the will to invade by U.S. forces.

We then achieved the victory at the South Laos Road 9 and the Spring-Summer Offensive of 1972, which effectively shattered the U.S. strategy of "Vietnamization of the war". With the determination that "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," our military and people accomplished the historic 12 days and nights of the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air", forcing the United States to announce a complete cessation of its airstrikes against the North and sign the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam (on January 27, 1973).

And the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign — the decisive operation in the General Offensive and Uprising of Spring 1975 — marked a brilliant milestone, signaling the victorious end of the resistance war against the U.S. and the completion of Vietnam's fight for national liberation. The Vietnamese people had fully realized the guiding thought of President Ho Chi Minh: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom." The moment when the red-and-yellow flag fluttered triumphantly in the April sky of Saigon proved that independence, freedom, and happiness were no longer mere aspirations but had become a reality in the lives of the Vietnamese people of all ethnicities.

"When the tank stopped in front of the Independence Palace, / We were stunned — was this real or a dream? / The final mile — the long, arduous march, / Has it come? My eyes suddenly blurred." (From The Tank Soldier's Memoir – Journey to the Independence Palace, Colonel Nguyen Khac Nguyet). To reach this "final mile," countless people had to shed their blood and make sacrifices. Many had to leave their youth behind on the battlefields. They chose to sacrifice themselves for the nation’s survival because they carried within them the aspirations for independence and freedom of an entire people, echoing the timeless call for national unity: "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom."

The aspiration for independence, freedom, and the development of a strong, prosperous, and happy nation not only fosters determination and creates the unity necessary to achieve great milestones in the struggle for national liberation, but also drives breakthroughs in economic development and international integration. Without nurturing and enhancing the awareness of independence and freedom within each Vietnamese today, we would fail to tap into all our resources and create the immense inner strength needed to overcome poverty and backwardness, and to build and develop our country to be "more dignified, more beautiful," as President Ho Chi Minh always hoped.

Therefore, the spirit of "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" carries profound historical and practical value. It has always served as a driving force, inspiring the entire Party, the military, and the people to unite and march forward on the path chosen by President Ho Chi Minh, with the determination to successfully achieve the goal of a prosperous nation, a strong country, democracy, justice, and civilization. The world will continue to change, but his thoughts on freedom and independence will forever illuminate the hearts and minds of future generations. And for as long as anyone can remember, "Independence - Freedom - Happiness" is not merely a national slogan; it is also the eternal belief and the guiding principle of life for the Vietnamese people.

Reporting by DO LAN HUONG – Translating by HONG VAN