A ceremony was held nationwide at 9am on August 19 to simultaneously inaugurate and launch work on 250 projects in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the National Day.

The event took place at the Vietnam Exposition Centre as the main venue, connected with 79 other sites across the 34 provinces and cities via teleconferencing.

Present at the ceremony held at the main venue in Hanoi were Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai, and many other senior officials.

Meanwhile, former President Nguyen Minh Triet, former President Truong Tan Sang, former National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, and many other high-ranking officials, including Politburo Member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, General Phan Van Giang, Politburo Member and Minister of National Defense, and General Luong Tam Quang, Politburo Member and Minister of Public Security attended the event teleconferencing at other sites.

Speaking at this especially significant event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that 80 years ago, under the brilliant and wise leadership of the Party and beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese people carried out the historic August Revolution - one of the "glorious feats" and greatest victories of the Vietnamese nation in the 20th century which helped its people seize power.

On September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, on behalf of the Provisional Government, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, officially founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, thus ushering in a new era for the nation: an era of independence, freedom, and socialism, the PM noted.

According to the PM, looking back on the 80-year journey, the Vietnamese people are even more proud of the nation’s historical traditions and the heroic past of its forefathers. Reflecting on the past allows all of them to deeply cherish and truly understand the value of independence, freedom, peace, and national unity.

It is a reminder to honour and be grateful for the heroic sacrifices of previous generations, the Government leader said, adding that it is by looking back that the nation gain strength to move forward, to become stronger, more confident, and prouder as it heads into the new era.

Among the 250 projects,  89 have been inaugurated, and 161 others launched on this occasion. Invested with VND1.28 quadrillion ($48.7 billion) in total, they are expected to contribute over 18% to the country’s GDP in 2025 and more than 20% in the following years.8

They comprise 59 transport projects, 44 civil and urban projects, 57 industrial projects, 36 on technical infrastructure, 22 on social housing, six on agriculture and rural development, three on culture and sports, 12 on education, one on national defense, and 10 on health care.

Notable projects inaugurated today  include the National Exposition Centre in Hanoi  and Rach Mieu Bridge that connects the two Mekong Delta provinces of Dong Thap and Vinh Long . Meanwhile, work started on such outstanding projects as the research and development center of Viettel in the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park in Hanoi, and Ca Mau – Dat Mui Expressway, and Dat Mui – Hon Khoai Port Road in the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

The ceremony to inaugurate and start work on 250 projects nationwide is a significant political event held in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the National Day. It reflects the country’s growth, strength, and self-reliance in developing socio-economic infrastructure, efforts by the entire political system and relevant stakeholders, as well as the solidarity and consensus of the people in implementing the projects, thereby further enhancing national pride and patriotism, reinforcing the determination in national construction and safeguarding, and creating momentum for the country to advance to a new era – that of the nation’s rise and prosperous development.