Vietnamese people are celebrating the 44th Reunification Day, April 30, a national holiday that marks the liberation of southern Vietnam and the end of the American Resistance War.
The 1975 victory opened a new era of independence, reunification, and socialism for Vietnam and demonstrated the strength of Vietnamese revolutionary heroism and wisdom in the Ho Chi Minh era. The victory’s most decisive factors were the great strength of the people and the creative leadership the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Just struggle
Nguyen Trong Xuat, former Secretary General of the Editorial Board of History of the Southern Resistance, called Vietnam’s American Resistance War is a just struggle for national independence and freedom.
That’s why it rallied people’s participation, Mr. Xuat said “The leaders inherited tactical talent and wisdom from their predecessors for thousands of years. The Party taught us that if you know how to rally the masses, the revolution is by the people, not by the cadre. People are the revolution.”
The southern people played an important role in this struggle. Patriots took to the streets to stage demonstrations in the heart of Sai Gon, now Ho Chi Minh City. Mothers, sisters, students, intellectuals, and monks joined pro-revolution movements.
Musician Ton That Lap, a member of the “Singing for my compatriots” movement, still remembers clearly what happened more than 40 years ago “The singing voices of the students were the voices of compatriots. So what they said was interpreted as an appeal to ignite the fighting spirit for national defense, human rights protection, and peace. Their singings were weapons that frightened the enemy.”
People make things possible
General Pham Van Tra, former Minister of National Defense, said there would be no Reunification Day without the people’s support: “Without the people we would have never succeeded. Only people can make things possible. It was the southern people’s patriotism and loyalty to President Ho Chi Minh that helped us win.”
Memories of Reunification Day on April 30, 1975, remain fresh in the minds of Ho Chi Minh City residents.
Architecture Nguyen Huu Thai said “Many people contributed to the liberation of the south. I was impressed by the statement of General Tran Van Tra, commander of the troops that seized Sai Gon on May 2, 1975, who released the captured Duong Van Minh administration at Independence Palace. Mr. Tra said that in this war, there were no losers, that all Vietnamese were winners. Mr. Minh replied: “You played a decisive role in liberating the south.”
National strength made a historic day on April 30, 1975. 44 years later, Ho Chi Minh City is an innovative urban area and the economic locomotive of Vietnam.
The Governor-General highlighted the historic significance of the visit as the first time a Vietnamese leader has visited New Zealand in both capacities of General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President of the State.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Vietnam–New Zealand relations have continued to grow strongly, with substantive cooperation in numerous areas and further expansion in education and agriculture, generating fresh momentum for bilateral ties.
Regarding administrative reform, amendments to the Law on Radio Frequencies will remove licensing requirements deemed unnecessary or already regulated under other laws.
The ceremony was conducted in accordance with protocol for foreign heads of state visiting New Zealand, incorporating a traditional Māori welcome ceremony and an official greeting.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam described overseas Vietnamese as “ambassadors” who help promote Vietnam's positive image internationally, and urged them to maintain solidarity, preserve national pride and cultural traditions, and make practical contributions to the country's development.
The Party leader stressed that the passing of NA President Xaysomphone is a great loss to the Lao Party, State and people, while Vietnam has also lost a great friend and a close, loyal comrade who had always held deep affection for the country, offered valuable support, and worked tirelessly to nurture and consolidate the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.
Highlighting positive outcomes in Vietnam-Singapore cooperation across all areas, particularly since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides maintain and step up high-level visits and exchanges at all levels.
Australia attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and highly values the substantive progress in bilateral relations, said Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.
According to Government proposals submitted to the legislature, Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh cities will be formed based on the respective natural areas, populations and numbers of commune-level administrative units of the two provinces. Both proposals meet all five conditions stipulated in the Law on Organisation of Local Administration No. 72/2025/QH15 and all seven criteria for establishing centrally-run cities under Resolution No. 112/2025/UBTVQH15.
Xaysomphone Phomvihane was a capable revolutionary intellectual with broad knowledge and a strategic vision. Throughout his career, he remained committed to the Party's ideals and objectives, and demonstrated responsibility, flexibility and discipline in carrying out his assigned tasks.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the Israeli Government to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Israel at a meeting with outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12.
Vietnam plans to establish a Vietnam–New Zealand Friendship Association as a counterpart to the New Zealand–Vietnam Friendship Association, thereby strengthening connections and exchanges and helping deepen and broaden friendship between the two peoples.
The joint statements comprise one on deepening the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, one on economic resilience cooperation, and another on the enhancement of science, technology and innovation connectivity.
Most deputies welcomed the draft law’s reform-oriented approach and a number of breakthrough policies, including greater decentralisation in organisational arrangements, staffing management and policy implementation.
Vietnam and Australia will step up cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, digital technology, cybersecurity, green technology and emerging technologies, while supporting each other in enhancing capacity to participate more deeply in regional and global supply chains. The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in education and training and people-to-people exchanges.
PM Albanese welcomed General Secretary and President Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on their state visit to Australia, stressing its signficance amid the rapidly growing ties, particularly since the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.
Welcoming General Secretary and President Lam and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation, the Australian parliamentary leaders spoke highly of Vietnam’s development achievements and expressed their admiration for the dynamism and creativity of the country and its people, particularly young Vietnamese. They said this energy and determination reflected Vietnam’s strong resolve and aspiration to build a prosperous and powerful nation.
Governor-General Mostyn expressed her pleasure at meeting General Secretary and President Lam again in Canberra after her first state visit to Vietnam in September 2025.
Building on more than half a century of trust and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, the visit is hoped to create fresh momentum for deeper bilateral ties, bring practical benefits to people and businesses in both countries, and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.
Writing in the book of condolences, the Vietnamese leader expressed his profound sorrow over the passing of Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane, describing it as a great loss to the Lao Party, State, NA and people, as well as to Vietnam, which had lost a great friend and loyal comrade who made important contributions to strengthening and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.