Vietnam National Day
September 2
Vietnam celebrates National Day as a public holiday.
On 2nd of September, Vietnam celebrates its National Day. This day in 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence solemnly in Hanoi at the Ba Dinh Square. He proclaimed the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
This event marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Vietnamese nation’s colorful history.
Vietnam National Day History
In 1941, Ho Chi Minh formed a communist and nationalist liberation movement called the Viet Minh. He wanted to seek independence for Vietnam from France at the same time to oppose the Japanese occupation as well. After the military defeat of Japan and the dissolution of its Empire of Vietnam in the August of 1945, Viet Minh went to Hanoi and established a provisional government there. Ho Chi Minh declared the Independence of Vietnam on September 2.
In that same year, the France sent the French Far East Expeditionary Corps to fight the Japanese occupation forces and to restore French rule. The First Indochina War between Viet Minh and the French forces ensued on November 20, 1946 after the Haiphong Incident. The war lasted until July 20, 1954.
During the course of the war, the French and Vietnamese loyalists suffered fewer losses but was eventually dealt a major strategic setback at the Siege of Dien Bien Phu. This allowed Ho Chi Minh to negotiate a ceasefire with an advantageous position at the Geneva conference of 1954. French colonial administration ceased to govern following the dissolution of French Indochina. The forces of former French supporters and communist nationalists were separated south and north, according to the Geneva Accords of 1954. The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was established at the 17th parallel. Vietnam was partitioned with Ho Chi Minh’s Democratic Republic of Vietnam in North, and Emperor Bao Dai’s State of Vietnam in the South. This partitioning was not intended by the 1954 Agreements.
Vietnam Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
The people and the leaders in Vietnam pay tribute to the national hero Ho Chi Minh on the National Day of Vietnam, and acknowledge his achievements towards the independence of Vietnam.
This day is celebrated in all Vietnamese Embassies across the world.
This is one of the foremost Vietnamese festivals & events.
