From the significance of President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday on May 19 to the aspiration to build a strong Vietnam in the New Era

The annual commemoration of May 19 is not only an occasion to remember and pay tribute to Ho Chi Minh – the great leader of the Vietnamese nation – but also a moment for every Vietnamese person to reflect on the values of his thought and morality, as well as the aspiration for national development that he left to the nation. More than half a century after his passing, Ho Chi Minh’s thought continues to retain its enduring contemporary value, serving as a firm spiritual foundation and providing guidance for the process of national development and advancement in the new context. It is not merely a historical legacy of profound political significance, but also a system of values that guides action, strengthens the nation’s resolve, and inspires the aspiration of the Vietnamese people to advance on the path of global integration.

The life and career of President Ho Chi Minh represent an outstanding symbol of patriotism, the will for national independence, and the spirit of serving the people. From his journey to seek a path to national liberation to his leadership of the Vietnamese revolution in achieving national independence and reunification, he always placed the interests of the nation and the happiness of the people above all else. His thought represents a harmonious synthesis of traditional national culture and the quintessence of human knowledge; between genuine patriotism and the aspiration for peace, justice, and social progress. Therefore, studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality, and style is not merely a political requirement, but also an intrinsic need of each individual in the process of developing character, enhancing capabilities, and contributing to the community.

In a world undergoing profound transformations under the impact of globalization, digital transformation, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s example requires new thinking, new actions, and new approaches. It cannot be limited to formal slogans, but must be translated into practical actions associated with the specific responsibilities and professional fields of each individual. Learning from President Ho Chi Minh today means learning from his strategic vision, spirit of innovation, and ability to adapt to the times. During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh consistently demonstrated forward-looking thinking, a keen awareness of global development trends, and particular appreciation for the role of knowledge, science, and people in national development. In today’s era of the digital economy and artificial intelligence, this spirit has become even more meaningful, as every country seeking development must rely on innovation, high-quality human resources, and knowledge-based competitiveness.

Alongside innovative thinking, Ho Chi Minh’s thought also placed profound emphasis on public-service ethics and the spirit of serving the people. He once advised: “Whatever benefits the people, do your utmost to do; whatever harms the people, do your utmost to avoid.” This teaching remains fully relevant today, particularly as greater demands are being placed on transparency, accountability, and governance effectiveness. For today’s officials, lecturers, intellectuals, and workers, learning from President Ho Chi Minh means cultivating a strong sense of responsibility, integrity in professional activities, dedication to the community, and a commitment to contributing to society. These are not only standards of professional ethics, but also a foundation for building social trust in the process of national development.

One of the greatest values embodied in the life of President Ho Chi Minh is the spirit of self-directed learning and the constant determination to advance. From a patriotic young man who set out to seek a path to national liberation with nothing but his determination, he continuously studied and absorbed the knowledge of humanity to become an outstanding thinker, cultural figure, and leader. In today’s knowledge era, this spirit remains a lesson of enduring contemporary relevance. Each individual needs to proactively pursue lifelong learning, continuously update knowledge, and enhance skills in order to adapt to the rapid changes in the global socio-economic environment. This is also a prerequisite for developing high-quality human resources capable of meeting the requirements of national development in the new period.

If previous generations carried out the mission of national liberation and reunification, today’s generation bears the responsibility of shaping the future. This is the journey toward building a Vietnam that develops rapidly and sustainably, and is prosperous and happy, in accordance with the aspiration that President Ho Chi Minh cherished throughout his life. In this process, education and training play a particularly important role, as this is the field directly responsible for developing human resources and knowledge for society. For lecturers and students in the field of finance and banking, this responsibility has become even more evident as the economy enters a period of profound transformation toward digitalization and deeper international integration. Current realities require education and research activities to go beyond the transmission of theoretical knowledge and become closely aligned with practical requirements and the development trends of the modern economy. Innovating teaching methods, promoting applied research, developing modern financial thinking, and strengthening the application of technology in financial management are essential requirements for training high-quality human resources for the country. At the same time, nurturing professional ethics, political steadfastness, and social responsibility among learners is equally important, because sustainable economic development requires not only highly qualified experts but also individuals who are responsible toward the community and the nation.

In the digital era, spreading the values of Ho Chi Minh’s thought also requires more creative, modern, and accessible approaches that are closer to younger generations. The value of Ho Chi Minh’s thought does not lie in formal slogans, but is demonstrated through the effectiveness of actions, the spirit of innovation, and concrete contributions to society. Therefore, studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s example should become a driving force for promoting innovation, improving the quality of work, and creating sustainable values for the community.

The commemoration of May 19 is therefore not only an occasion to pay tribute to the beloved leader of the Vietnamese nation, but also a reminder of the responsibility of every Vietnamese person toward the country’s future. Pride in President Ho Chi Minh must be transformed into concrete action: studying more seriously, working more effectively, living more responsibly, and continuously contributing to the community. This is the most practical way to continue the path he chose and to nurture the aspiration of building a strong, developed, and prosperous Vietnam in the new era.

Determined to learn from President Ho Chi Minh – Follow his example – For a strong Vietnam!

Nguyen Thi Bao Ngoc, Chu Thi Thanh Trang

School of Financial and Banking Technology.