(People's Daily) From the August Revolution to the new era of development: The nation's foundation, potential, position, and international prestige.

In her opening remarks, Professor Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, stated that the International Scientific Conference "From the August Revolution to the New Era of Development: The Nation's Foundation, Potential, Position, and International Prestige" is not only a major scientific event but also an opportunity for scientists and scholars from Vietnam and abroad to reflect on the nation's 80-year history, a journey that is both arduous and glorious. From there, they can analyze core values, draw valuable lessons, and contribute their voices to shaping the vision and development direction for the new era.

According to Professor Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, the August Revolution of 1945 was an epic of indomitable will and aspiration for freedom, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and ushering in a new era: the era of independence, freedom, and progress towards socialism.
Immediately following the glory of independence, our country faced an unprecedented and perilous situation. A situation likened to "a thousand pounds hanging by a thread," surrounded by internal enemies and external aggressors. Over 90% of the population was illiterate, a devastating famine claimed the lives of millions, the treasury was empty, and the newly established revolutionary government was still weak and inexperienced.
However, like a small boat amidst a storm, the Vietnamese people have steadfastly weathered the waves thanks to the unwavering leadership of the Party and the strength of national unity. We have maintained our independence, protected the achievements of the revolution, and laid the foundation for national reconstruction.

Over the past 80 years, through countless ups and downs, Vietnam has risen strongly to become a nation with significant development potential, deep integration into the global community, and an increasingly affirmed international standing and prestige. Today's generation may not be fighting with weapons like their forefathers, but they have the responsibility to continue that proud tradition of patriotism and unity on other "fronts": science, education, culture, and the economy.
Over the years, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in collaboration with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, has partnered on research projects, training programs, specialized seminars, and large-scale academic forums, contributing to the training of high-quality human resources for national development.

The international scientific conference "From the August Revolution to the New Era of Development: The Nation's Foundation, Potential, Position, and International Prestige" is a vivid testament to the spirit of people's solidarity, strong and close cooperation; and the convergence of intellect and the aspiration to contribute of the two Universities of Social Sciences and Humanities at opposite ends of the country.
The conference brought together nearly 200 scientists and scholars from Vietnam and abroad, with 150 elaborate papers presented across three subcommittees: The August Revolution of 1945 in Vietnamese history and its international standing; 80 years of national construction and development (1945-2025); and Vietnam in the new era of development.

With a rich diversity of research fields, from history, politics, and diplomacy to economics, culture, and society, along with the large presence of reputable scholars from both domestic and international backgrounds, this contributes to insightful analyses, novel discoveries, and valuable scientific and practical recommendations.
In particular, the plenary session provided a comprehensive overview of Vietnam's position from the August Revolution to the present day. From this, it raised core issues of history and the present, fundamental elements in Vietnam's current development.

Many opinions at the conference not only affirmed the event's position in national history but also clarified its international significance, placing the August Revolution within the "world revolutionary storm" of that time. Core issues such as the diplomatic struggle of the Viet Minh Front, the art of seizing opportunities and lessons learned for the reform process, and the international character of the 1946 Constitution were discussed, providing insightful perspectives.
Scholars also analyzed foreign policies, particularly the reconciliation and partnership-building process with the United States, France, and Japan, as well as policies towards overseas Vietnamese aimed at promoting national strength. The core values ​​of the 1945 Declaration of Independence were examined in relation to the aspiration for national development during the integration period, affirming the enduring value of the August Revolution to the nation's historical progress.

Many delegates focused on clarifying Vietnam's imprint on its 80-year journey of nation-building and analyzing Vietnam's unique development path compared to the East Asian region. From this, discussions focused on how Vietnam can assert its capabilities, integrate responsibly into the international community, and simultaneously build international prestige by inheriting the legacy of the August Revolution in the new era. A noteworthy approach was to leverage the cultural heritage associated with the August Revolution as a resource for developing the cultural industry, demonstrating the connection between the past and the future.

"I believe that the knowledge, scientific arguments, and lessons learned shared today will not only enrich the research treasury on contemporary Vietnamese history, but also become a source of inspiration, further strengthening the intellectual capacity for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new era," Professor Ngo Thi Phuong Lan expressed her hope.
Hanoi Television reports on the conference: