National Day in Vietnam

National Day in Vietnam is a special date, treated with respect and seriousness by all the residents of the country. On National Day people remember that peace and prosperity did not always reign in the country, and it went through hard times. National Day is celebrated on 2nd of september every year.

A bit of history

National Day is celebrated fore more than 70 years now. What about before that? In the second half of the XIX century Vietnam fell into colonial dependence on France. In addition, Laos and Cambodia also got under the French control. These countries were united in the Indochinese Union. The head of the colony was the Governor-General, who represented the interests of the President of France. However, the Imperial court in Vietnam was still functioning. The privileges of the feudal lords remained, as the French counted on the landowners to assist them in the administration of the colony.

The Vietnamese were unhappy with the situation, so riots broke out repeatedly, that were suppressed by the military. Revolutionary ideas continued developing, and by the 1930s a national liberation movement led by leader Ho Chi Minh had formed in the country.

During World War II, the country was occupied by the Japanese, who neutralized the influence of the French. Towards the end of hostilities, the Japanese were forced to withdraw their troops to defend their own country. Taking advantage of the situation, the Communists liquidated the remaining institutions of the administration of the colonizers. On September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese leader, issued a statement on the independence of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh declared that the members of the Provisional government, representing the entire Vietnamese people, declare the severance of all relations with imperialist France and invalidate all treaties previously signed regarding Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh noted that the all Vietnamese people strongly opposed the actions of the French colonizers. The people of Vietnam fought against foreign domination for more than 80 years and have the right to be free.

Ho Chi Minh died exactly 24 years later on the National Day. This happened in 1969. The authorities decided not to immediately inform the people about the death of the leader. The Vietnamese didn’t find out until the next day.

How to celebrate National Day

On National Day in Vietnam people remember everyone who sacrificed their lives in the fight for the country’s freedom. They lay flowers at memorials and monuments, hold parades, arrange festivities and concerts with performances of singers and dancers.

National Day is one of the most important holidays in Vietnam. The Vietnamese will always celebrate this date, paying tribute to their ancestors, who gave freedom to the current generation.