50 Years of National Reunification: From a Historic Milestone to Shaping the Nation’s Development Aspirations in a New Era
MỤC LỤC:
On the afternoon of April 25, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM), in collaboration with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNU), hosted a national scientific conference entitled “50 Years of National Reunification – A Journey Toward a New Era for the Nation.” This marked the first time that the two leading institutions in social sciences and humanities - representing Vietnam’s North and South - co-organized a nationwide conference on such a historically significant topic. The event carried profound academic meaning and symbolized national harmony, with the North and South united in a shared vision to shape the future.
A Scholarly Dialogue between the North and South USSH: From Historical Flows to Development Vision
The conference gathered more than 300 delegates, including leading scholars and researchers across various fields such as history, politics, culture, and sociology. With over 130 papers submitted by research institutes and universities nationwide, the conference served as a vibrant intellectual forum where multidisciplinary perspectives, strategic reflections, and national development concerns were exchanged in an open and meaningful atmosphere.
Delivering the opening speech, Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, President of USSH, VNUHCM, emphasized that the conference was not only an occasion to reflect on history but also a chance to honor the past, assess the present state, and shape the future. She affirmed that fifty years of reunification is not merely a marker in time - it is a long journey of renewal, integration, and development. She also highlighted the pivotal role of education—especially social sciences and humanities—as a foundational force in cultivating cultural integrity, responsibility, and the development aspirations of future generations.
Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan affirms that 50 years of reunification is not merely a milestone in time, but a long journey of renovation, integration, and development – Photo: LY NGUYEN
Representing USSH, VNU, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, President, remarked that though the two USSH institutions are geographically apart, they share a common spirit and mission—to preserve, promote, and spread the Vietnamese humanistic values. He stressed that if history united the two regions of our country through the victory of April 30, 1975, then today, education and knowledge will continue to be the solid bridge that leads Vietnam into a new era with humanistic values, scientific, and national unity”.
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan speaks at the conference – Photo: LY NGUYEN
The Victory of April 30, 1975 from an Academic Perspective: from the historical values to the National Development Aspirations
The conference featured a series of in-depth presentations, bringing the multifaceted perspective on the historical value of reunification day, the country’s development over the past five decades, and strategic directions and solutions to firmly guide Viet Nam in shaping a new era . In his presentation titled “The Great Spring Victory of 1975: The Power of the Will for Independence, Unity, and the National Aspiration for Peace and Prosperity,” Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh, former President of USSH, VNU, emphasized that the victory of 1975 went beyond military strategy—it was ultimately rooted in the Vietnamese people's aspiration for peace, their unwavering spirit of independence, and the unity of the entire nation.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh presents his paper titled
“The Great Spring Victory of 1975: The Power of the Vietnamese People’s Will for Independence, Reunification, and the Aspiration for Peace and Prosperity” – Photo: LY NGUYEN
The Chairing Panel leads the presentation session at the conference – Photo: LY NGUYEN
From a historical and cultural view, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council, offered a deeper analysis of national reunification from the historical perspective in his talk “Reunified Vietnam: A Historical and Cultural Approach.” He believed that the success of April 30th was the inevitable result of a process of integrating national cultural values across generations, where the Vietnamese identity was nurtured and spread despite historical divisions."
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim further deepens the perspective by analyzing national reunification through a historical and cultural view – Photo: LY NGUYEN
In the presentation “The Power of ‘One Day Equals Twenty Years’ - The Spring of 1975 Viewed Through Military, Political, and Diplomatic Lenses,” Dr. Le Huu Phuoc, former Vice President of USSH, VNUHCM, asserted that the April 30th victory was a strategic turning point that redefined Vietnam’s role on the global stage. He stressed that beyond ending the war and reunifying the country, the victory affirmed the resolve and identity of an independent nation amidst a globally polarized context. In the years following reunification, Vietnam has gradually broken through the blockade and embargo, expanded its diplomatic relations, and deepened international integration, highlighting the importance of a flexible foreign policy mindset rooted in peace, cooperation, and self-reliance—values that continue to play a pivotal role in today’s era of globalization.
Dr. Le Huu Phuoc, former Vice President of the University, points out that the victory on April 30th was a strategic turning point that helped Vietnam reposition its status on the international stage – Photo: LY NGUYEN
Other presentations also contributed compelling insights. Major General, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Quang Dao, former Director of the Vietnam Military History Institute, analyzed the brilliant strategies of Vietnam’s military leadership in the Great Victory of 1975. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Linh, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, in his insightful theoretical and policy-oriented presentation titled '50 Years of National Reunification (1975–2025) and the Path Toward Socialism: Some Theoretical and Practical Issues in Vietnam', outlined the key stages of Vietnam's development since reunification, highlighting both the achievements and the challenges of the socialist-oriented development model in the context of globalization and digital transformation.
Major General, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Quang Dao, former Director of the Vietnam Military History Institute,
presents his paper titled "Liberating the South, Defending the North – The Strategic Determination of the Entire Nation" – Photo: LY NGUYEN
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Linh, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council
presents his paper titled titled '50 Years of National Reunification (1975–2025) and the Path Toward Socialism: Some Theoretical and Practical Issues in Vietnam' – Photo: LY NGUYEN
The panel discussions focused on clarifying timely and strategically significant issues, such as how to promote the value of national harmony in an increasingly competitive and fragmented world; the urgent need to renew development thinking in the era of deep international integration and digital transformation; and the essential role of the social sciences and humanities in shaping the spiritual foundation, cultural identity, and adaptive capacity of global citizens. These exchanges not only reflected a dynamic, interdisciplinary approach in accordance with national development but also spreaded the spirit of responsibility, the aspiration for contribution, and the critical thinking resilience of the younger generation – the successors who continue the journey of building and asserting the nation's position in the new era.
Delegates engage in discussions at the conference – Photo: LY NGUYEN
A North-South Knowledge Bridge, Laying the Foundation for a New Era
In his closing remark, Prof. Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh, Vice President of USSH, VNU, summarized the key themes of the conference. First, he emphasized that the victory of April 30, 1975 was not only a historic milestone but also a transformative moment that laid the groundwork for Vietnam’s ongoing nation-building and development over the past five decades. Then, he noted that this half-century journey has been marked by remarkable achievements and valuable lessons in economic development, social stability, international integration, and the elevation of Vietnam’s global standing. Prof. Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh also underscored that as Vietnam embarks on a new phase of transformation, the effective formulation of strategic policies and the mobilization of resources will be essential to entering a new era—one that is comprehensive, sustainable, and deeply infused with humanistic values.
Prof. Dr. Lai Quoc Khanh, Vice President of the USSH, VNU, delivering the closing remark and concluding the conference – Photo: LY NGUYEN
The national conference “50 Years of National Reunification – A Journey Toward a New Era for the Nation” was not only a profound academic forum but also a symbolic collaboration between the country’s two premier institutions in social sciences and humanities. In light of Vietnam’s growing development opportunities, the co-organization of a nationally significant forum such as this conference reflects the strong commitment of the two universities to integrating research - education - social service. At the same time, it affirmed the pioneering role of the social sciences and humanities in shaping national strategic thinking. From a heroic past to a transforming present and an emerging future, the conference has deepened understanding of the nation’s reunification journey, spread the aspiration for sustainable development, and ignited a sense of civic responsibility across generations — so that knowledge becomes not only a legacy, but a driving force for shaping the future.
Photos from the conference:
Story and Photos by LY NGUYEN - TUAN VU - THU THAO
Translation by KHANH LINH
