By Ameh Gabriel
For more than a century, the Vietnamese people have endured extraordinary challenges from colonial domination and feudal oppression to the devastating impact of prolonged wars. Spanning over three decades, these conflicts took millions of lives and left deep scars on Vietnam’s landscape and soul. The toll was not only physical, but also psychological, economic, social, and environmental consequences that still linger today, affecting generations born after the guns fell silent.
There is scarcely a corner of Vietnam untouched by the war’s legacy. Nearly every family bears the burden of loss. Even now, unexploded ordnance and the enduring effects of Agent Orange continue to claim lives and complicate livelihoods. Yet, despite these wounds, Vietnam has emerged from its darkest hours with resilience, unity, and a vision for the future.
Time, compassion, and a steadfast spirit of forgiveness have empowered the Vietnamese people to rise above the past. With national reunification marking its 50th year, the country today stands confident, dignified, and forward-looking. The wounds of war, once raw and divisive, have been transformed into lessons in tolerance, strength, and unity. A new generation of Vietnamese now embraces the shared bloodline of the Lac Hong descendants, moving past division to reaffirm a common destiny.
At the heart of Vietnam’s post-war transformation lies the principle of national reconciliation a long-standing policy embraced by the Party and State as a strategic pillar for building great national unity. The past, marred by foreign intervention, manipulation, and division, is acknowledged with sober clarity. But so too is the unbreakable bond shared by all Vietnamese whether in the homeland or abroad, regardless of where they once stood in history. We are one people, united by heritage, language, and love for our nation.
“I have had the privilege of meeting countless members of the Vietnamese diaspora from bright young professionals in Europe and America to successful entrepreneurs and dedicated workers across Asia and Oceania. Many once stood on different sides of history, yet they all share a deep pride in their identity and an unyielding connection to their homeland.”
I have also widely read about the deeply moving moments of reconciliation veterans from Vietnam and the United States, once enemies on the battlefield, now shaking hands, sharing stories, and acknowledging their common humanity. Such encounters underscore a remarkable transformation: today, Vietnam and the United States are comprehensive strategic partners, collaborating for peace, mutual prosperity, and regional stability.
If nations once divided by war can now forge bonds of cooperation, there is even greater reason for the Vietnamese people all children of Mother Âu Cơ to let go of hatred and embrace unity. Reconciliation does not require forgetting the past or erasing our differences. It asks for recognition, mutual respect, and the shared determination to build a better future together one of peace, dignity, and progress.
The journey ahead demands that they carry forward the legacy of reunification not as a conclusion, but as a new beginning. The generation now shoulders the task of transforming the sacrifices of the past into the prosperity of tomorrow. National unity must evolve from a historic aspiration into the foundation for economic growth, innovation, and social advancement.
We must strengthen our sovereignty, protect our territorial integrity, and enhance the material and spiritual wellbeing of every citizen. It is crucial that every Vietnamese wherever they live, whatever their background feels pride in their collective achievements and is empowered to contribute to our nation’s continued development.
As we commemorate half a century of reunification, we do so not with complacency, but with renewed vigor. Vietnam’s future lies not in the shadows of conflict but in the light of peace, cooperation, and shared dreams. With determination, unity, and a forward-thinking spirit, they can ensure that future generations will inherit a Vietnam that is not only whole and healed, but also thriving and respected on the world stage.
