Hanoi (VNA) - Never before had a struggle received such effective and practical support from people around the world as the Vietnamese people's fight for independence, and humanity came closer together because of Vietnam, said Vu Xuan Hong, former President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations.

International friends support Vietnam’s just struggle

Before, during and after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, socialist countries, and peace-loving, justice-loving and progressive people around the world gave effective support, assistance and aid for, and stood side by side with the Vietnamese people in this just struggle.

The Vietnamese people received tremendous support from the former Soviet Union, China, and other socialists countries in terms of material aid as well as advice and technical assistance. Movements for national liberation across Asia, Africa, and Latin America always viewed the Vietnamese people's struggle as a shining example, which sparked vibrant and diverse solidarity and friendship movements with Vietnam.

The Vietnamese will never forget the famous words of Cuban leader Fidel Castro at the first Tricontinental Conference held in Havana in 1966: “The blood of Vietnam is also the blood of Cuba. For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed even its own blood.” Equally unforgettable is the slogan of the Indian people: “Your name, my name, our name, Vietnam! Vietnam!”. These affirmed global solidarity and support for the nation in its struggle for national liberation and reunification.

On May 18, 1969, the International Conference on Vietnam opened in Stockholm, Sweden, during which more than 300 delegates from 50 countries and 21 international organisations expressed their support for Vietnam’s stance and strongly demanded that the US withdraw its troops from Vietnam and end the war.

In France, the “100 million Francs in support of Vietnam” fundraising campaign gained widespread participation; in Sweden, the movement aiming to raise one million Krona to support the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam was launched on a large scale; and in Japan, the “100 million Japanese Yen for Vietnam” campaign also attracted broad public involvement.

At the same time, the German people held mass protests in more than 50 cities to oppose the US bombing of Hanoi and Hai Phong. Countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Congo, and Somalia organised numerous exhibitions featuring the Vietnamese people's struggle, and showing support for Vietnam’s just cause. During those years, the US people’s anti-war movement became an unprecedented grassroots movement in the country’s history. The US press referred to it as "The War Within." On March 24, 1965, the first seminar on the Vietnam War was held at the University of Michigan with over 3,000 students in attendance. This quickly spread to other universities. The student movement expanded from lecture halls to the streets. On June 8, 1965, more than 18,000 people gathered in New York to raise opposition to this war. They then formed the Student Mobilisation Committee to End the War in Vietnam.

Bearing in mind the precious support of international friends

Half a century has passed since the Great Victory of Spring 1975. On the morning of April 30, 2025, in his address at the state-level ceremony and parade in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam continued to affirm: "We sincerely thank our brothers, comrades and international friends, progressive forces and peace-loving people around the world for their great, valuable, wholehearted, loyal, and steadfast support and assistance to the Vietnamese people's cause of national liberation and reunification."

The victory of the resistance war against the US for national salvation stemmed from the correct and creative leadership of the Party; from the people’s war policy, carried out through the strength of great national unity and international solidarity; from the combination of military, political and, diplomatic struggles and the art of seizing the right moment to concentrate forces for a general offensive and uprising; from the strength of the great rear base in the North supporting the major frontlines in the South, with the spirit: No a grain of rice is lacking, no soldier is absent; cutting through Truong Son to save the nation; from the great, righteous, sincere and effective support and assistance of the Soviet Union, China and fraternal socialist countries; from the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia special solidarity; from peace-loving, progressive people and forces worldwide, including the progressive Americans.

From a poor, backward nation devastated by the war and subjected to blockade and embargo, Vietnam has transformed into a developing country with near upper-middle income status, deeply integrated into the world politics, global economy, and human civilisation, taking on many international responsibilities and playing an active and positive role in various international organisations and important multilateral forums.

The top leader affirmed that as a nation that experienced countless pains and losses due to the wars in the past and also a nation that has enjoyed great benefits from peace and friendly cooperation in recent decades, Vietnam earnestly desires to work with the international community to build a future of peace, prosperity, solidarity and development.

✤ “Let us do all we can today, with the desire to leave to future generations not only a better world, but also the faith and admiration for the sense of responsibility and wisdom of today's generation. We will continue to deepen our friendly and cooperative relations with countries around the world; promote the implementation of the motto "Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community",” he added./.