Top 9 Most Prominent Holidays and Anniversaries in August of the Gregorian Calendar in Vietnam

International Youth Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly, is celebrated on August 12th each year, beginning in 1999. It aims to promote human rights and development, particularly for young people around the world.

Every year on August 12th, the United Nations holds events to recognize the importance and role of youth in policymaking and decision-making at local, national, regional, and international levels. It also serves as an opportunity for young people to raise awareness and take action on challenges they face globally.

Environmental issues have become a significant challenge in Vietnam. In the 24th UN Climate Change Conference (COP24), the NGO Germanwatch released the latest rankings of countries based on their vulnerability to climate change. Vietnam ranked sixth in terms of climate-related losses. Environmental concerns are now among the top priorities for Vietnamese citizens, especially the younger generation. With the belief in a peaceful and green Vietnam for future generations, young people must act now to clean and preserve the environment.

Following a brief period of preparation, the Northern Party Committee and the Hanoi Party Committee called upon the people of Hanoi to rise and seize power on August 19, 1945. From the early hours of the morning, the city was filled with revolutionary flags. Thousands of peasants and workers, armed with rudimentary tools, marched from Láng and Mọc to seize the Hoàn Long agency, declaring the establishment of a revolutionary government in the Ngã Tư Sở area, marking the beginning of the insurrection in central Hanoi.

Countless people from the outskirts of Hanoi, including Thanh Trì, Thường Tín, Phú Xuyên, Hoài Đức, Đan Phượng (Hà Đông), and Gia Lâm (Bắc Ninh), carried Viet Minh flags and various weapons, surging into the city like an unstoppable force. They gathered in front of the Opera House. The entire city of Hanoi was alive with revolutionary slogans: "Support Viet Minh," "People's Revolutionary Government," "Long live the revolution," "Establish the Revolutionary Militia Committee," "Vietnam is fully independent," “Down with the invaders,” “Down with all anti-revolutionary forces,” and “Fight imperialism.”

At exactly 11:00 AM, more than 200,000 people gathered in front of the Opera House, and the Uprising Committee declared the call to arms. The rally quickly transformed into an armed demonstration to seize power. The revolutionary masses, led by self-defense units, split into two major groups to capture key government sites: the French Governor’s office, the Post Office, and the Police Station. Overpowered by the masses and the resilient self-defense forces, almost all enemy government offices quickly fell to the revolutionaries. At a military camp, Japanese forces attempted to block the marchers with tanks, but they were soon persuaded by our comrades to withdraw. After securing the Governor’s office, a member of the Northern Party Committee contacted the mayors and provincial governors in Hải Phòng, Hải Dương, Bắc Ninh, Hà Nam, and Nam Định to announce that the revolution had succeeded in Hanoi and ordered them to transfer power to the local Viet Minh authorities. By the evening of August 19, the revolution in Hanoi had triumphed.

On August 19, 1945, the general uprising in Hanoi succeeded. In northern provinces, the Security Services were established; in central Vietnam, a Surveillance Department was created; and in the south, a National Self-Defense Force was formed. Though the names differed across regions, the first organizations of the People's Police shared a common mission: to suppress counter-revolutionaries, maintain security, protect the Party, safeguard the revolutionary government, and defend the people's property. August 19, 1945, was officially recognized as the Vietnam People's Police Traditional Day. On June 13, 2005, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 521/QD-TTg, establishing August 19 as the “National Security Protection Day.” On December 12, 2005, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam signed Ordinance No. 30/2005/L-CTN, announcing the People's Police Law, which declared August 19 as the Vietnam People's Police Traditional Day and National Security Protection Day.

Over 75 years of development, struggle, and growth, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the People's Police have earned the trust and support of the people. They have faced countless challenges, achieved significant successes, and written a glorious legacy. Some key values of the Vietnam People's Police include:

• The Vietnam People's Police is unwaveringly loyal to the homeland, the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese people, dedicating their lives to independence, freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security.
• The Vietnam People's Police is a force that comes from the people, serves the people, and relies on the people to succeed in their missions.
• The Vietnam People's Police constantly strives to cultivate ethical values such as integrity, discipline, impartiality, and a sense of justice.
• The Vietnam People's Police promotes independence, self-reliance, and resilience, working tirelessly to overcome obstacles and successfully complete all assigned tasks.
• The Vietnam People's Police upholds unity, democracy, strict discipline, and close cooperation with all sectors and forces.
• The Vietnam People's Police is vigilant, secretive, strategic, courageous, resolute, and skilled in preventing and proactively attacking enemies and criminals.
• The Vietnam People's Police is committed to continuous education and improvement, enhancing political awareness, professional skills, and operational effectiveness while embracing scientific advancements and technology to support their work and combat operations.
• The Vietnam People's Police upholds international solidarity, maintaining a pure, loyal, and compassionate spirit.

VTC Digital Television Station is one of the three major broadcast networks that cover the entire territory of Vietnam. Originally established as the Digital Television Editorial Board on August 19, 2004, under the Vietnam Multimedia Corporation (VTC), it has now grown and evolved for over a decade.

Throughout its history, VTC has been recognized as a pioneer in the television industry, being one of the first to broadcast digital signals using the DVB-T standard, at a time when most regional broadcasters still used the analog technology. VTC is also one of the few stations with a wide range of channels, offering 15 unique programming channels. Additionally, VTC is the parent company of VTC News, a major online newspaper with a large readership in Vietnam.

On December 2, 2013, following the enforcement of Decree No. 132/2013/ND-CP, VTC Digital Television Station was transferred from the VTC Multimedia Corporation to become an affiliated unit under the Ministry of Information & Communications.

After nearly two years of direct management by the Ministry, on June 2, 2015, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 752/QD-TTg to move VTC Digital Television Station under the Voice of Vietnam (VOV). This marked a historic milestone, as VTC became a subsidiary of the national media organization.

Ton Duc Thang (August 20, 1888 – March 30, 1980) was a revolutionary and politician in Vietnam. Born under the alias Thoai Ton in Cu Lao Ong Ho, My Hoa Hung Village, Long Xuyen (now part of My Hoa Hung Commune, Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province), he was the first-born child of Mr. Ton Van De and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Di. His family, which was relatively well-off by Southern standards, provided him with a good education from an early age. In 1906, after graduating from the Indochinese Primary School Certificate (CEPCI) in Long Xuyen, he moved to Saigon to study mechanical engineering at the Asian Mechanics School (L’école des Mécaniciens Asiatiques), commonly known as the Ba Nghe School. Graduating with honors, he was employed as a worker at the French Navy’s Ba Son Shipyard in Saigon.

He served as the second President of Vietnam (from September 22, 1969, until his death), after holding the positions of Vice President (1960-1969) and Acting President (from September 2 to September 22, 1969). He was also the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (1955-1960), equivalent to the current position of National Assembly Chairman.

Upon succeeding Ho Chi Minh, he became the second President of Vietnam and the last President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, as well as the first President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that followed.

Vo Nguyen Giap (August 25, 1911 – October 4, 2013), born Vo Giap, also known as General Giap or Brother Van, was a Vietnamese military leader and politician. He was the first General and Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Army and one of the founding figures of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Described by the Vietnamese government as "a brilliant and close student of President Ho Chi Minh," he was the chief strategist in major campaigns and victories during the Indochina War (1946–1954), which drove out French colonial forces, the Vietnam War (1960–1975) that led to the country’s reunification, and the Sino-Vietnamese War (1979) against China’s border aggression.

Originally a history teacher, Giap became one of the most revered military leaders in Vietnam’s history. He was hailed by many newspapers as a national hero.

Vo Nguyen Giap was the first recipient of the Ho Chi Minh Order and remains the only person to have been awarded this distinction twice (in 1950 and again in 1979).

Duong Quan – a satirical poet. His real name was Duong Tu Cuong. He was born on August 8, 1926 (the Year of the Tiger) in Quynh Doi village, Quynh Luu district, Nghe An province. He passed away on July 3, 1985 (the Year of the Ox) in Hanoi. Known for his bold and independent spirit, Duong Quan preferred freedom and did not align with any political or social groups. Despite earning a meager salary, he remained steadfast in his convictions. His satirical poems often targeted corruption, bribery, bureaucracy, and false accomplishments in the society of his time, especially during a period when writing such pieces was fraught with difficulty.

After the Vietnam War ended, many contemporary poets wrote lighthearted works, but Duong Quan’s biting satire was uncompromising. His works, such as "He Hits Then Soothes" published in the August 1983 issue of the Văn Nghệ newspaper, revealed the hypocrisy and corruption of the ruling elite. His sharp critiques, which exposed the decay and dysfunction of society, resonated deeply with the public. Over 500 of his satirical poems were published in prominent newspapers, including Lao Dong, Văn Nghệ, Nhân dân, and others, cementing his role as a fearless voice of criticism.

Additionally, Duong Quan contributed to many publishers, magazines, and Hanoi Radio and Television. He was one of the earliest writers to successfully use satire to critique social ills, though the censorship of his time severely limited his creative freedom. His poem “Mice and Cats,” illustrated by Bui Xuan Phai and published in the 1984 Spring issue of Lao Dong, was even targeted by the police. In 1985, shortly after a trip to the South, he passed away unexpectedly due to illness.

Duong Quan’s language was simple, direct, and humorous, with a sharp wit. His poems were filled with folk sayings and had a unique satirical charm that made readers both laugh and agree with his critique of society’s flaws.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994, and it has been observed annually throughout the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (1995–2004). In 2004, the UN declared a second decade, from 2005 to 2015, with the theme 'A Decade of Action and Dignity.' People from various countries are encouraged to participate in the observance to spread the UN’s message on indigenous peoples. Activities may include educational forums and classroom events aimed at fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of indigenous cultures.

By Resolution 49/214 on December 23, 1994, the UN General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples would be observed every year on August 9, coinciding with the first meeting of the UN working groups on Indigenous populations in 1982. This day marks the occasion when the UN's Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights first discussed the issues faced by indigenous communities.

Although the war has long ended, millions of Vietnamese people, including third- and fourth-generation descendants born in peace, still carry the legacy of that war—exposure to Agent Orange/dioxin that the U.S. sprayed over southern Vietnam’s battlefield for a decade, beginning on August 10, 1961. Since 2004, August 10 has been observed annually as 'Day of the Victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam.' The government and the Party have enacted several actions and policies to address the chemical consequences caused by the U.S. in Vietnam, share the pain of Agent Orange victims, and awaken global conscience to unite in the fight for justice for these victims.

During the Vietnam War, U.S. imperialism not only used bombs and artillery to cause casualties but also deployed Agent Orange/dioxin to devastate the land and disrupt the livelihood of the Vietnamese people, attempting to hinder the progress of revolutionary forces. On January 15, 1961, after taking office, U.S. President Kennedy declared the use of herbicides to control and obstruct communist forces. On August 10, 1961, the U.S. began its chemical warfare campaign in Vietnam. Over ten years (1961-1971), the U.S. military conducted 19,905 missions, spraying 80 million liters of chemical agents, with 61% being Agent Orange, containing 366 kg of dioxin, across 26,000 villages and hamlets, covering an area of 3.06 million hectares, nearly a quarter of South Vietnam’s territory (including 44 million liters of 2,4D and 2,4,5-T varieties of Agent Orange). Some areas were sprayed up to 10 times.

In recent years, August 10 has become a time for 'Gratitude and Remembrance' activities, a day of 'Togetherness to Heal the Pain of Agent Orange.' This spirit must be encouraged and spread throughout society, awakening the conscience and responsibility of every individual toward Agent Orange victims, providing them with hope, love for life, and a desire to integrate into the community.