A base of US-backed government was attacked and fired during Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising. (Photo: VNA)

Fifty years ago, under the leadership of the Party Central Committee and President Ho Chi Minh, our troops and people launched the General Offensive and Uprising in nearly every city, town, and military base all over the South, especially in Saigon - the political and military headquarters of the US and Saigon authorities. The General Offensive and Uprising took place at the height of US military aggression in Vietnam. With an undaunted spirit of revolution, and the intelligence, creativity, and bravery of the Vietnamese people, the General Offensive and Uprising of 1968 created a strategic turning point, which bore decisive significance for the entire cause of the resistance war against the US for national salvation.

The General Offensive and Uprising quashed the enemy aggressors, destroying their strategic position on the battlefield and their "local war” strategy; forcing the US imperialists to reassess their military strategy and to cease the bombing of the North and accept the negotiations at the Paris Conference for the restoration of peace in Vietnam. The General Offensive and Uprising in 1968 is a shining symbol of the revolutionary will and the aspiration for national peace and independence as seen in the spirit of independence, self-control, and creativity. It also expressed the strategic direction of the Party and the art of revolutionary warfare, especially the ingenious creativity of the people’s war during the Ho Chi Minh era.

The Vietnamese people are more proud than ever of the righteous path of revolution, the sound leadership of the Party and of President Ho Chi Minh in bringing into play the strength of the great national unity bloc, creating the opportunities for and taking advantage of the opportunities for victory; as well as the creativity, revolutionary spirit, bravery and the willing spirit of sacrifice for the cause of national liberation and reunification of the whole people.

In 2018 and in the coming years, complicated and unpredictable developments are set to continue to unfold in the region and the world. The country’s Doi Moi initiated and led by the Party is facing both new opportunities and challenges. It is therefore essential to build a clean and strong Party, to resolutely prevent and curtail ideological, ethical and lifestyle degradation, as well as the manifestation of "self-evolution” and "self-transformation” inside the Party while improving its capacity for leadership and fighting; and building a law-governed socialist state truly of the people, by the people, and for the people that puts the interest of the country and people first; while bringing into full play the strength of the great national unity bloc in the cause of national construction and defence.

Importance should also be attached to promoting internal strength to take advantage of opportunities and overcome challenges for the development of the country in all fields; accelerating the cause of Doi Moi and international integration. In particular, economic development is the main focus, political and social stability should be maintained, in addition to creating a people-based defence posture; closely integrating the economy and defence – security in each strategy, plan, and policy related to socio-economic development; and the association of defence with foreign affairs; firmly safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; as well as to protect the Party, the State, the people and the socialist regime; maintain a peaceful and stable environment for the country’s rapid and sustainable development; as well as elevate the position of Vietnam in the international arena.

The General Offensive and Uprising in the spring of 1968 gave the Vietnamese people valuable lessons, confirming the creative leadership of the Party and the power of the people’s will. The great spirit and high determination to take victory over the Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising in spring 1968 has been and will continue to strongly encourage the Party, people and army of Vietnam in overcoming any difficulties and challenges while seizing new opportunities in order to successfully implement the socio-economic development plan in 2018, the resolutions adopted at Party congresses at all levels,and the 12th National Party Congress towards the goal of developing Vietnam into a powerful country with a prosperous people living in an equal, democratic, and civilised society, firmly advancing to socialism.