FROM THE HEROIC SPIRIT OF THE APRIL 30 VICTORY TO THE ASPIRATION TO RISE IN THE NEW ERA

An Epic of Internal Strength

In the course of the nation’s history, April 30, 1975, stands as a glorious milestone, affirming the indomitable will of a small nation that overcame seemingly insurmountable limits. The Great Spring Victory of 1975 was not merely a military triumph; it was also a victory of Vietnamese intellect and Ho Chi Minh Thought: “Even if we have to burn the entire Truong Son mountain range, we must resolutely achieve independence.”

The heroic spirit of April 30 reminds us that when a nation shares a common aspiration and when the Party and the people stand united, every difficulty and obstacle can be overcome. It is a lesson about internal strength and the spirit of self-reliance and resilience, whose significance remains undiminished and continues to resonate today.

Following President Ho Chi Minh’s Example: From “Liberation” to “Nation-Building” – Continuing the Journey of Ideals

Implementing Directive No. 05 on enhancing the study and practice of Ho Chi Minh Thought, morality, and style is not merely an emulation movement but a journey of profound awareness that helps us recognize the remarkable and inevitable transition between two pivotal periods in the nation’s history. In the twentieth century, previous generations deeply embraced his teachings and were prepared to uphold the spirit of “Determined to die so that the Fatherland may live,” sacrificing their lives for the flag of independence and fulfilling the mission of national liberation. Today’s generation shoulders the responsibility of becoming “Nation-Builders.” Following President Ho Chi Minh’s example today is no longer associated with sacrifice on the battlefield but with intellectual dedication, diligent professional development, adherence to the virtues of “Diligence, Thrift, Integrity, and Righteousness,” and the continuous promotion of “Innovation” to build a strong, prosperous, and happy nation.

In the context of extensive integration and ongoing global volatility, studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s example must be translated into practical values:

• Learning from President Ho Chi Minh’s far-sighted vision and forward-looking mindset: President Ho Chi Minh was always ahead of his time in recognizing global trends. Learning from his vision means refusing to remain passive or “fall behind” amid the powerful momentum of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It requires proactively embracing new technologies, the digital economy, and a global mindset to elevate the country’s standing and affirm its position internationally.
• Learning from President Ho Chi Minh’s humility, closeness to the people, and spirit of service: Throughout his life, President Ho Chi Minh regarded himself as a “faithful servant of the people.” Following his example and learning from his humility and simplicity helps today’s officials, Party members, and lecturers remain sincere and closely connected with reality. Every policy adopted, every lecture delivered, and every professional task performed must reflect real life, produce substantive results, and regard the community’s interests as the highest measure of value while avoiding formalism and detachment from the people.
• Learning from President Ho Chi Minh’s persistent self-study and spirit of self-reliance and resilience: His entire life was a remarkable example of self-directed learning, from foreign languages to political theory and human knowledge. As global knowledge changes by the hour and minute, following his example means developing the ability to adapt flexibly. It requires a commitment to lifelong learning to keep pace with advances in knowledge and technology while maintaining the steadfastness, self-reliance, and resilience needed to address national challenges through Vietnam’s internal strength and intellect.

The transformation from the spirit of “Liberation” to the mindset of “Nation-Building” is the most practical way to preserve the revolutionary achievements of previous generations while realizing the aspiration to lead the Vietnamese nation toward glory and stand alongside the great powers of the five continents, as President Ho Chi Minh wished during his lifetime.

Individual Responsibility amid International Integration: From Historical Courage to the Aspiration to Rise

Promoting the historical values of April 30 today involves more than revisiting the nation’s glorious history; it also requires awakening each individual’s sense of responsibility in the face of the country’s new opportunities. We must not “rest on the laurels” of the past. Today’s independence and freedom must be protected and strengthened through intellect, responsiveness to contemporary developments, and concrete action. For every lecturer and learner at the School of Financial and Banking Technology, national pride must be transformed into “positive pressure” and a key motivation for achieving breakthroughs in teaching, research, and personal development.

This responsibility must be translated into practical actions aligned with the characteristics of the School and the University:

• For Party members and managerial officials—the leaders of innovation: On the challenging, non-military front of international integration, every Party member at the School of Financial and Banking Technology, University of Finance – Marketing, must genuinely serve as a “pioneer,” resolutely combating stagnation and deterioration. Following President Ho Chi Minh’s example means learning from his scientific working style, systematic thinking, and willingness to embrace new developments. Party members must set an example by applying technology, reforming procedures, and upholding public-service ethics, creating a transparent working environment where dedication and integrity are paramount standards.
• For lecturers and intellectuals—the shapers of the future: The mission of UFM lecturers extends beyond conveying specialized knowledge such as economic models or complex financial algorithms. They must integrate national pride, a spirit of continuous innovation, and the courage to propose creative solutions while prioritizing practical effectiveness and collective interests. In the digital era, we must educate generations of students with “Pure Hearts – Bright Minds – Great Aspirations.” Every lecture provides an opportunity to inspire patriotism through lessons on national pride in the economic sphere. Lecturers must not only impart professional knowledge but also provide guidance on professional ethics, helping students understand that a competent financial technology specialist must first be a citizen who acts responsibly toward the community.
• For financial and banking technology—a cornerstone of autonomy: The spirit of April 30 offers a profound reminder of the importance of self-reliance and resilience. In an interconnected and volatile financial world, the independence and security of the national financial system constitute a protective “barrier” for national sovereignty. Our responsibility is to research and develop modern and transparent financial technology solutions to optimize national resources. Upholding discipline and ensuring security and integrity in financial governance are the most practical ways to safeguard the independence established by previous generations and advance toward efficient, sustainable development.

In summary, at the School of Financial and Banking Technology, inheriting the heroic spirit of 1975 means transforming it into an aspiration to master technology and knowledge. Every research project and every graduate who possesses both virtue and talent represents a beautiful flower dedicated to our beloved President Ho Chi Minh, helping elevate the standing of the University of Finance – Marketing and the Vietnamese nation internationally.

Promoting the Values of Creativity – Efficiency – Sustainability

As the country accelerates digital transformation and international integration, the motto “Creativity – Distinction – Efficiency – Sustainability” is not merely the goal of an educational institution but should also serve as a guiding principle for every individual:

(i) Creativity to find solutions to difficult practical challenges.

(ii) Distinction to affirm Vietnam’s position and identity internationally.

(iii) Efficiency to avoid wasting the people’s resources and trust.

(iv) Sustainability to ensure that the values we create today become a legacy for future generations.

The commemoration of April 30 is a moment for each person to pause and reflect upon themselves through the shining example of President Ho Chi Minh and the sacrifices of heroic martyrs.

We are proud of the past, but we must not regard it as our final destination. Let the heroic spirit of April 30 energize new “offensives” against poverty, backwardness, and stagnation. This is the best way to honor history and realize President Ho Chi Minh’s aspiration for Vietnam to stand alongside the great powers of the five continents.

Determined to Preserve the Immortal Spirit of April 30!

Tran Thi Mo, Bui Thi Thu Thao
Party Cell of the School of Financial and Banking Technology.