Top 7 Best Social Essays on War and Peace

"The sound of gunfire echoed over the border sky,

Calling all our people into the new battlefront,

The invading army's brutal expansion,

Has trampled upon the frontlines..."

Television screens show images of the glorious past of Vietnam's history, the tune of the song "Fighting for Independence and Freedom" resounding powerfully and solemnly. How can I truly comprehend the hardships caused by war when I live in happiness, enjoying the benefits of peace and independence? I suddenly wonder about war and peace – is there an invisible thread that connects them?

As a child, I often asked my mother, 'What is war?' She would simply say that I would understand when I grew up. I read many articles about war and searched the dictionary, but the essence of it all is that war is "the continuation of politics by force between social groups in a country or between countries or alliances of countries. War is characterized by organized armed struggle, according to certain rules, and often combined with other forms of struggle." But beyond that, for me, war is the terrifying nightmare of a time of bloodshed, overlapping grief, and the thing that stole so many lives. I don’t like war, but without war, there can be no peace. Peace is "a state of society without war, without the use of force to resolve disputes between nations, ethnic groups, or political and social groups. Peace is the opposite of war. In society, peace is also described by the relationship between parties in mutual respect and justice. In general, peace is rarely continuous, always interrupted by wars." Our generation was born into peace, enjoying independence and freedom, doing the things we love, living in our rights. And especially, peace is the sense of tranquility, free from pain and loss. I read the news, watch updates, and read books, and I still encounter articles about war or peace. Sometimes, I wonder why there has to be war when people could live in love and harmony. Wouldn't life be better that way?

War erupts when the limits of love are reached, and we can no longer hold it back. We know humanity has gone through many bloody wars like World War I, World War II in the 20th century. Although we have entered the 21st century, their aftermath still lingers. History lessons have shown us the heavy devastation they caused, with thousands of bombs dropped on millions of innocent lives. After the war, Japan took many years to rebuild the nation, while the defeated countries sank into crisis. Everywhere, people were left homeless, separated from their loved ones, in dire straits. Not far from the world stage, returning to Vietnam, the country has undergone countless invasions and struggles to gain the independence we have today. During wars, many young people had to leave their mothers and children to go to the battlefield, uncertain of their return:

"The burial shroud replaces his blanket, he returns to the earth,

The Mã River roars a solo of his journey."

(Tây Tiến - Quang Dũng)

Today, seeing the graves of fallen soldiers stretched across the land of our country, it’s impossible not to feel heartache and resentment toward war. Not only did it leave suffering for those who fought in those times, but even now, in peacetime, the haunting memories of war still lurk in the dreams of soldiers. Some veterans, after years of fighting, return home only to be unrecognized by their wives and children. Others suffer from the effects of Agent Orange, passing it on to generations. The aftermath of war is immeasurable, and time cannot erase the memories of battle, which remain deeply embedded in the minds of so many. Ultimately, war erupts because of human selfishness, the craving for immediate benefits, bringing misery to innocent people. Inevitably, there are just and unjust wars. If a war is fought to defend righteousness, supported by the whole world to achieve peace, we may accept the sacrifice. However, there are also unjust wars, fought for land or power, where the lives of soldiers and civilians are burned on the flames of violence. Such wars must be condemned and prevented.

Peace can only be established when war ends. This is true! Only when war passes, can peace be restored. Today, we live in peace. Every year, on September 21, the "Peace Bell" at the United Nations headquarters rings, signaling the beginning of a new year of peace. This bell was cast from coins donated by children from all over the world, except for Africa. It is a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, serving as "a reminder of the human cost of war." The inscription on the bell reads: "Long live absolute peace on Earth." Additionally, peace-themed competitions for children have expanded so young people across the globe can understand and cherish the peace they enjoy. Or the Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded each year to individuals who have made significant contributions to maintaining peace within nations and worldwide. However, according to statistics from 2018, the world’s peace has been threatened by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. I once read a piece of information, which I’ll quote: "The Global Peace Index (GPI) published by IEP shows that peace has declined in 92 countries over the past year, while only improving in 71 countries. Mr. Killelea said that this worrying trend has continued for the fourth consecutive year. According to the newly released GPI, Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, followed by New Zealand, Austria, Portugal, and Denmark. Meanwhile, the five least peaceful countries are Somalia, Iraq, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Syria. Vietnam ranks 60th out of 163 countries, unchanged from last year, with a 'high' level of peace. According to IEP calculations, violence cost the global economy $14.8 trillion in 2017, equivalent to nearly $2,000 per person. Also, according to IEP’s research, if the least peaceful countries like Syria, South Sudan, and Iraq became as peaceful as Iceland or New Zealand, their economies would gain an additional $2,000 per person." Through this, we can see that the world is always concerned about peace and continually seeks ways to preserve peace for humanity. We all desire a life of prosperity, free from the threat of war. So let’s join hands to preserve the happiness and freedom we have. Let the voice of peace from the heart spread everywhere, so that conflicts and violence are ended, returning a peaceful atmosphere to life.

"Give me peace, just for a moment,

Give me peace so I can go to school,

Don’t sow sorrow,

Don’t cause more pain and separation,

Sing a song with one heart,

Sing a song to erase hatred,

Together we bring peace,

Together we bring the joy of heaven (for me)."

The words of this song are the message I want to send to everyone. Don’t let war invade the peace of the world. Don’t let hatred bring about separation and take away the peace that exists. We cannot deny that sometimes struggle is needed to achieve peace. But let us remember, war is the evil force that sows suffering, while peace is the hope and desire of all humankind.

Peace and war seem like two separate states, yet they are invisibly connected. At each stage, we may view them differently. As the future leaders, the younger generation following in the footsteps of our ancestors, let’s spread love and help dispel the darkness of war so that the light of peace will shine forever on Earth...

War is the failure of love, where weapons and means must be used in response to conflicts and differences in ideologies, beliefs, or opinions between individuals, nations, or groups that share common convictions.

When love is suppressed due to these differences, war is set into motion. War exists only when one side initiates it. Peace is the end of war.

There are many reasons for war, but the cause of peace is simply the end of war. We always pray for peace, hoping more people understand suffering and use love to resolve hatred and grievances, preventing war from arising. Praying alone, however, cannot bring peace.

Everyone desires to live in tranquility, where people can grow, love surrounds us, and humanity experiences moments of happiness, with a peaceful mind. Tranquility is the state of being filled with love and faith, while witnessing the peacefulness of nature, free from conflict.

To avoid war, we must preserve peace: unite and love one another, creating trust and compassion within communities. When there are provocations, the community must immediately resolve them, extinguishing them before they even begin. If left unchecked, these minor signs will escalate, leading to division, new conflicts, and eventually war.

Humanity is not always a unified force. From love, awareness, to dreams, people are diverse. Therefore, to preserve peace, we must listen to understand, observe closely to care. Without understanding and love, the peaceful atmosphere is endangered. Every group of people has leaders to balance interests and maintain trust and love among them. A good leader will know how to maintain peace. If everyone acts as a leader, war will be on the horizon. There are many types of wars, but only two kinds of meaning: just and unjust. In every war, everyone believes they are fighting for justice. Regardless of the type, war always brings loss and suffering. Everyone hates war, but it is difficult to maintain peace because peace can only exist when war ends.

War ends only when the truth becomes clear, or when the aggressors are harmed or no longer wish to continue fighting. For truth to shine, and for the aggressors to suffer, people must unite and speak out, making the truth known, collectively opposing evil. If everyone wishes to remain silent for their own safety, and refuse to speak the truth, the war will never cease.

War and peace are an endless cycle, just as matter is always in motion, there is no final resolution. The state simply transitions from one to another.

To have peace, do not create the conditions for war! There are many causes for war, but the most dangerous one is standing at the top of the world.

We live in a peaceful and happy environment today, but have you ever wondered what peace truly means? Why should we cherish peace? Throughout our history, the concept of peace has always been linked to the concept of war. However, as human beings, no one desires war, and we all long for a peaceful and prosperous life.

Peace is the wish of all people

Peace is the state of tranquility, free from bloodshed, war, terrorism, robbery, exploitation, where people can live in freedom and happiness. In contrast, war is marked by smoke, chaos, and death. This comparison helps us understand that peace is the most desired state for humanity – it is the ultimate happiness.

Peace has always symbolized tranquility, and it is the dream of every person. The fact that we are living in a peaceful environment today is our great fortune. Our nation has endured immense suffering from the wars in history, especially the two wars against French colonialism and American imperialism. These wars have left deep scars, causing irreparable loss for many generations. Even today, the pain from those wars still lingers, which is why our nation understands better than anyone else the significance of peace.

Not only in Vietnam, but people worldwide who cherish peace also long for a peaceful world filled with love. In such a world, people can live happily, witnessing the smile of a child and the joy in the eyes of the elderly. The grief from past wars has gradually faded, replaced by a peaceful and prosperous world as we see today. Let us treasure these moments of happiness, contribute to the world, and enjoy the best that humanity has to offer.

Let us stand firm against the reactionary forces and their attempts to undermine peace with plots of war. The younger generation today must be more aware of the schemes to divide us, as these forces seek to create unrest and overthrow our peace. We are living in a peaceful world, so why should we engage in actions that destroy peace and initiate war? The peaceful environment we live in today is the result of the sacrifices made by countless national heroes. We must resolutely fight against any attempt to alter the peaceful world we have built.

Peace is the hope of all mankind. And as we are living in such moments, let us live in a way that is worthy of what we have received, and live in harmony and kindness, as poet Tố Hữu once wrote: 'Is there anything more beautiful in life than this?'

When it comes to war, everyone knows it brings more harm than good. Every conflict is meaningless. However, not everyone fully grasps the profound consequences it brings. Some consequences seem unrelated, but they end up affecting us more than we realize.

Before war breaks out, society begins to decay.

If you're perceptive enough, you can foresee the signs of an impending war in any country. Society starts to rot, injustice becomes widespread. Crime and vices increase rapidly. People's way of life becomes corrupted as they begin to focus on irrelevant matters and engage in inappropriate actions. The ruling class turns against each other, power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few. Corruption thrives. Large-scale corruption cases become more frequent, often a result of internal political power struggles. Sadly, the most tragic consequence is the severe degradation of human morals. Morality here isn't just about respect or distinguishing good from evil; it also encompasses the way people live their lives. People lose sight of their true purpose.

The economy collapses.

The economy starts to spiral, showing signs of an inevitable crash. Inflation skyrockets. The gap between the rich and poor widens. Labor exploitation becomes rampant, with no solutions in sight. The country becomes increasingly dependent on foreign nations to the point where survival is uncertain. Faced with this reality, the choices are either to wage war to fuel the economy or face conquest through force or economic dominance. Let's take economic invasion as an example—simply put, even the government becomes dependent on foreign powers, which then demand more and more from them. Companies from the invading country flood in, hire cheap labor, and exploit workers, while the ruling class remains powerless due to their over-reliance on foreign nations. Even more dangerously, they send their own people to quietly take over, colonizing without firing a single bullet or deploying a soldier. The state falls into debt and becomes so economically dependent that it starts selling off key land to foreigners. The rich-poor divide also raises the risk of war, as seen in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Citizens lose nearly all their rights, especially their freedom. This is something everyone can recognize. Almost anything one says or does results in imprisonment. The people are robbed by corrupt officials, silenced, and oppressed. It's a clear sign that war is looming.

For a nation in such a state of decay, the only options are to invade others to create a war that serves the nation (like Japan in the past), be invaded by another country, or experience an internal coup.

Once war breaks out, the economy crumbles further, collapsing completely. Every industry grinds to a halt, with the economy now focused solely on the war effort. Only heavy industry remains, producing goods solely for the purpose of warfare. Everything revolves around producing weapons, medical supplies, fabric, and food for the war. Money devalues rapidly, becoming mere paper, and gold turns into just metal. Having money or gold is useless because the most valuable and scarce resources now are food and medicine, which are in short supply. Fields are planted with crops that serve the war effort, like rubber and cotton. Farmers are forced into labor without pay. Everyone, from children to the elderly, is compelled to work for the war.

Death and destruction. Everyone knows about this, but there’s something not everyone is aware of. The death of soldiers, wives losing husbands, parents losing children—these are expected. But I’m referring to the civilians who die.

Don't think that war means fighting while civilians remain untouched. On the contrary, wherever an army advances, they plunder and kill without mercy. Don’t think civilians will be spared. The goal of war is to capture land and resources, not to care for the people. But these atrocities are often concealed, so most people are unaware.

Looting in war. Soldiers don’t carry enough food; they only have provisions for their march. Every military unit must feed itself by seizing whatever they find along the way. This is a small part of how war sustains itself. Upon arriving at a location, they loot everything they can to continue their march and fight. What remains is a wasteland. Even within their own ranks, looting occurs, often justified as requisitioning supplies for the troops, but in reality, it’s still looting.

Rape. In the military, where most of the personnel are men, sexual needs become highly intense. Once a territory is captured, rape inevitably follows. Imagine being deprived for years, and then all the pent-up desires are unleashed. Many cases of brutal rape lead to death. Dozens of soldiers may rape one woman, taking turns. Commanders permit looting and raping, believing it boosts the morale of the troops. In military camps, prostitutes are hired to serve the soldiers.

Prisoners of war. Don't think prisoners of war are just soldiers from the defeated side—this is a misconception. Anyone from the losing side, whether a soldier or a civilian, is taken prisoner and forced into slavery, working without pay. They lack medicine and face extreme food shortages. They are sent to concentration camps so remote that no one guards them—anyone who tries to escape will perish before reaching civilization. They are made to work until they die. War can last for years, and they might work their entire lives without seeing the end of it. When the captors are defeated, they kill the prisoners to prevent them from becoming soldiers for the enemy. These camps are like hell on earth—once you're there, there’s no escaping.

Homelessness. As war progresses, land is taken, and citizens lose their homes. They have no proof of ownership. Refugees from the war lose everything—homes, land, and hope. They wander from place to place, unable to prove their citizenship. They hide to avoid being captured as prisoners of war, but they must work to survive. These homeless individuals roam endlessly. In areas not yet touched by war, these people are unwelcome, feared for their potential to steal or kill without being identified. They are not allowed in cities or towns. If caught, they are either expelled or turned into war slaves. These people live in hiding, enduring a life of deprivation that could end in death on the streets at any moment.

War profiteering. When war breaks out, only food, medicine, and weapons matter. Speculators take advantage of this crisis by hoarding goods. They stockpile, making them incredibly scarce, and then sell at exorbitant prices. They also purchase supplies from non-conflict areas and sell them to both sides of the war for a fortune. The gold they earn is stored safely in places where the war will never reach. Countries that sell war supplies grow wealthier because of this.

After the war, corruption becomes even worse. When the war ends, a dark era begins. The victorious side begins the reconstruction, filling every position with their own people, who exploit the situation to amass wealth. Corrupt leaders seize land, homes, and wealth from civilians. Official records are often destroyed, and even if they remain, they lose all value. The corrupt thrive by confiscating the property of the defeated side and even the victorious side.

Freedom is nowhere to be found. The victors ruthlessly suppress the defeated, eradicating any trace of the opposing side. Anyone associated with the enemy is arrested, tortured, or executed, without any semblance of justice. The people are exploited with no voice to resist, while the corrupt profit immensely from the chaos. Citizens lose all their rights, becoming victims of oppression and exploitation, with no recourse.

In conclusion, all wars are meaningless. They should only occur when there are no other options left. Even after a war ends, the new regime may be far worse than the old one. Wars are launched under the guise of noble causes, but they serve the selfish interests of those who create them. No matter how grand the justification, it's all a lie. Our loved ones die for the personal gains of others. What’s the point of war when all it brings is death, destruction, and loss?

Think carefully about war, don’t blindly support it just because it’s being proclaimed as righteous. Once you become its victim, it’s too late to regret. Always remember: War is meaningless.

Someone once asked me this: Living in a time of peace, do you ever think about war? I was taken aback at first, but then I started to question myself. Have I ever thought about war or peace, or been curious about it, when there are so many other things that attract my attention in life? It seems that the concepts of war and peace only exist in my thoughts when I study history or read literary works, sometimes I encounter them in TV programs, and that's it—nothing more. Is it because we live in a peaceful society with social welfare benefits that we unconsciously forget the core values that define our lives or a part of history that has passed, or, closer to home, events still unfolding around the world that we hardly ever notice... war and peace.

How do you understand war and peace? As for me, war and peace are two opposing concepts. While peace represents calmness, joy, the absence of violence and chaos, war depicts a completely different picture. War is about fighting, disorder, smoke from guns, bloodshed, tears, and human lives. With these few words alone, anyone can form their own image of what war and peace look like in the world.

As you know, war in Vietnam has passed, but the consequences remain immense, and many countries around the world are still experiencing wars. War is the ultimate expression of irreconcilable conflict, where two or more sides engage in violent confrontation. World history is filled with images of countless wars, each one brutal and irreparable. Who doesn’t know about the two world wars, considered the most catastrophic in history, with the participation of powerful countries like the U.S., the U.K., France, the Soviet Union... And who can forget the suffering and devastation in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, when the U.S. dropped atomic bombs during World War II? Both cities were reduced to rubble, with the scent of explosives, blood, and tears everywhere. The Sino-Japanese war claimed the lives of many involved. It’s impossible to talk about war without mentioning Vietnam—a heroic nation that sacrificed so much in its historical wars. For over a thousand years, our people fought against the Nam Han, Mongol, and Qing forces... Later, we faced the colonial invasion of the French and the military might of the U.S. Numerous wars meant numerous periods of suffering, civil strife, death, and devastation. The toll of war is beyond words. We get a glimpse of the horrors of war through the poems of resistance poets:

"Our homeland, from the dreadful day,

Invaders came with flames of fury,

Our fields dry, our homes burned,

Dogs howling in the chaos…"

Grief for those who perished, haunting memories for those left behind, and the severe environmental damage are the remnants of war when it has unfortunately passed through a certain time. At this point, I ask myself: why does such a brutal and sorrowful thing like war still happen, both in the past and even now? Could it be that humanity thrives on death and destruction? Of course not. War is caused by leaders, individuals who seek to satisfy their greed and selfish desires, leading armies to wage war in order to claim resources from conquered lands. Where there is war, there is always resistance, and the opposing sides use their power to win. That is the root cause of wars in the world. If you had to pick one word to describe war, what would it be? For me, it's suffering...

In contrast to war, peace is the most commonly mentioned concept. Peace is a state where a region, a nation, or even the entire world lives in safety, without the need for weapons or military force to resolve conflicts with other nations, nor is there foreign military intervention. Peace is the dream of every righteous nation on earth. In a peaceful country, people have the opportunity to live and develop under the best conditions, free from the pain of loss, separation, and destruction that comes with war. To achieve peace, every nation on earth is willing to sacrifice everything. I believe this to be true. For peace will bring long-term tranquility to everyone.

That is why there are numerous organizations and individuals today speaking out to protect peace and calling for support for peace. Do you know who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014? In addition to Kailash Satyarthi, the campaigner against child exploitation in India, a young girl named Malala Yousafzai, just 17 years old at the time, courageously stood up against the Taliban to fight for the right of girls to attend school in Pakistan's Swat Valley, where the Taliban had taken control. With her brave actions, Malala won the hearts of countless peace-loving people around the world. She is also the author of the famous quote: "My goal is not to win the Nobel Peace Prize, my goal is peace and for every child to have the right to go to school." She is just one of the thousands of people constantly fighting to achieve peace and stop wars across the world today.

Currently, many countries around the world are taking different approaches to maintain peace and prevent actions that could lead to conflict and war. As a student, the future of your nation and the world, what new ideas do you have to contribute to the protection of world peace? In my opinion, the root cause of war is that people still harbor envy and live in selfish ways. At this point, I recall a famous poem by To Huu:

"Is there anything more beautiful in this world,

Than people living to love each other?"

The hope for a peaceful world will always be the burning desire of every righteous person on Earth because they understand: "Peace is the virtue of humanity. War is a crime."

On the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day, July 27, a reporter received a very emotional article from the reader Le Thi Huong (25 years old, from Chi Linh – Hai Duong), who shared the story of her father, a second-class war invalid, Mr. Le Tuan (who first enlisted in 1974, then again in 1978, fought in Cambodia, and was wounded in the battlefield).

The article also contains very genuine and realistic thoughts about war from a young person who has never known what war is like. The article is spreading rapidly on social media, touching many hearts.

My father was 18 when he joined the army in 1974, at a time when the war was nearing its end. He was a new recruit, so he trained for a long time before being selected for "going to B". Fortunately, he didn’t have to go, as the war ended. In 1977, he was discharged and returned home, getting married.

In August 1978, my eldest sister was born. A month later, my father’s younger brother, Uncle Tu, received a call-up order. Uncle Tu was shy and gentle, and had just gotten married, so my father volunteered to go in his place. The country needed experienced soldiers, and my father's application was accepted. My mother, sister, and grandparents saw him off. A few months later, my father was sent to the K (Cambodia battlefield).

The train that took my father from Hai Phong carried over 40 people from Hai Phong. By the time they reached Quang Tri, only 14 remained. They had jumped off the train, as they were ready to go to B, but going to K was something different.

At first, we heard from him occasionally, but as time went on, communication stopped completely. Years later, a death notification came, and my grandmother collapsed at the doorstep. For a month, she wandered in a daze, asking to find my father. She refused to believe that my father could have died.

My mother took my sister and moved back in with my grandparents because my sister was very sick. She had a high fever and nearly passed out a few times. But one day, as my mother was crying, she saw my sister's hand reach out, and she rushed to care for her. During these years, my father was still missing, unaware of the dire situation at home.

Then my father was injured during a meeting one night: he stepped on a landmine, and his foot was crushed. His comrades took him to a field medical station. Fearing they wouldn’t be able to provide proper care, the doctors amputated his foot while he was conscious. Despite the pain and screams, two days later, he was flown to Saigon by helicopter. He had to undergo another amputation because the previous one became infected. After a few more years of treatment, a third of his right leg was gone, a piece of shrapnel remained in his thigh, and his hearing was slightly impaired.

My father came home with a 2/4 war invalid certificate and 65% disability. But just the fact that he returned was a great blessing for our family. He told us that a month after he arrived in K, he had to personally pack his friend's remains so that the helicopter could take them home. When my father returned, his face was harder, and he sometimes experienced delirium from the pain. My siblings were afraid of him, especially because of the wooden leg that he would take off and put on every morning and evening. Even my sister’s son would cry when he saw the leg.

My father spent a month adjusting to life at home, trying to bond with his daughter without making her afraid. I, as a daughter, have lived 18 years beside him, witnessing the horrors of war and its effects. I remember the times I trembled in fear when he became angry for trivial reasons, the nights he moaned in his sleep because of the shrapnel in his body, or the times he couldn’t even balance himself on a motorbike due to his prosthetic leg.

My father never complained about the war, nor about the treatment he received from the government. He continued to work hard in trade to support his children’s education.

I will never forget an instance when I was in 11th grade and had done poorly in school. My father scolded me and said many things, but one sentence stuck with me: "Your education is paid for with my blood and bones, my child." That’s right, from elementary school to university, we were all exempt from tuition fees because my father was a war invalid.

For all the years I’ve lived, I’ve witnessed my mother care for my father – from meals, water bottles, to tea pots – and endure his temper, which had changed after the war.

Sometimes, when people mention the war, my mother would casually say: "Even if there is a war, my brother Ha (my younger brother) won’t be called up, because he’s the only child and my husband is a weak war invalid."

You might laugh and say that my mother thinks in a narrow and selfish way, but if you had ever spent your youth waiting for your husband, taking care of elderly parents, and raising young children, dedicating your life to soothing the wounds of war, you would understand her feelings. War doesn’t play games with anyone, and just because the guns are silent doesn’t mean it’s over. That’s why we must protect peace while we still have it.

The aspiration for peace has always been a noble ideal that humanity strives for and aims to achieve. Only those who have experienced war and endured the immense losses caused by it can truly grasp the lasting and profound value of peace. These individuals are the ones who can genuinely embrace the goodwill for peace and transform their desire for peace into a reality.

Forty years after the reunification of the nation, our homeland is now united as one, but the scars and pain left by the war still remain. In the "10,000-day war," can we find a land or a family in this beloved S-shaped country that hasn't suffered its consequences? The price the Vietnamese people paid to gain peace and independence was immense, but because of the truth that "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," our nation did not shy away from hardship and sacrifice, culminating in the great victory of Spring 1975, liberating the South and unifying the country.

To reach the goal of peace, independence, and national unity, during the resistance against the US alone, around 3 million Vietnamese soldiers and civilians lost their lives across the country. Even today, in the Martyrs' Cemeteries in various provinces, there are still tens of thousands of Vietnamese children whose names are not engraved on the tombstones, and thousands of families nationwide still bear the pain of not knowing the fate of their loved ones. At Con Dao, often referred to as the "hell on earth" during the stormy years of the national struggle for independence and freedom, more than twenty thousand revolutionary fighters and patriotic people died and were buried there. Yet, to this day, only less than 2,000 graves have been located, with fewer than 700 bearing identifiable names. Even in peace, blood continues to spill, as unexploded bombs and mines left over from the war claim the lives of innocent civilians each year.

Imagine, Mother Nguyen Thi Thu (from Quang Nam) and millions of Vietnamese mothers rejoiced at the news of the Spring 1975 victory, filled with both immense joy and the hope that their children would return. However, 11 of her children and grandchildren would never return from the battlefields, sacrificing their lives for the country’s future. Anyone who has visited the Peace Village in Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, would be moved to tears by the horrific consequences of war, with many fates forced to live with the aftereffects of Agent Orange, bearing its deformities and pain...

In particular, the diary of the female doctor and hero, Dang Thuy Tram, published under the title "Last Night I Dreamed of Peace" in multiple languages, has become a message of peace from a Vietnamese girl who represents the generation that "carried the guns across the Truong Son mountain range to save the nation" and shared it with the entire world. The journey of the diary itself over 35 years also represents an intense desire for peace, as the person who preserved the diary was an American veteran who had participated in the war in Vietnam. The horrifying memories of the war haunted him throughout his life.

Peace is the ultimate goal. The 40th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the unification of the country is also an opportunity for us to reflect on and ponder the value of peace and independence. We can say that the aspiration of the Vietnamese people is peace. From ancient times, great heroes and leaders of our country, such as Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Trai, Quang Trung, and Ho Chi Minh, have dedicated their hearts and minds to "establishing everlasting peace" and used "humanity" to "bring peace to the people" in order to overcome brutality and tyranny.

Right in the heart of the capital, the story of Hoan Kiem Lake is a unique cultural heritage, representing the Vietnamese people's deep desire for peace—even in their legends. The moment of April 30, 1975, may have become the most memorable victory in the long history of the Vietnamese people's struggle to build and protect the country. The dream of peace, with the land united as one, became a reality from that moment. But the ultimate goal was achieved through the long years of struggle, as the price of peace was paid with the blood and sacrifice of previous generations.

We love peace, and we must do everything to ensure peace. This is the essence of the history of our nation and people. Although there are countless challenges in becoming a powerful nation, the deep desire for peace and the strength of justice are always with us. "Building the country is inseparable from protecting the country" has become the development rule of our people. The history of our nation is glorious, with countless sacrifices and contributions from past generations to safeguard the integrity of our territory. Therefore, protecting the revolutionary achievements, preserving national sovereignty, and maintaining political stability, social security, and the path toward socialism, as well as safeguarding peace and a favorable environment for national development, are the continuous political responsibilities of our Party, Army, and people in the new context.

Peace and political stability are the foundation for the nation's development. This is something each of us must fully understand in order to act rightly and wisely. Peace and political stability can only be built firmly on the trust of the people in the Party's leadership and the management and governance of the State. Peace and political stability are also the most effective tools to completely eradicate the harmful and toxic elements that hostile forces and political opportunists are spreading through the guise of "democracy" and "human rights" in their strategy of "peaceful evolution" that they have been aggressively implementing in recent times.

Following and creatively implementing the thoughts of our ancestors, "Using righteousness to defeat brutality; Using humanity to replace violence" in order to "establish eternal peace" not only for the Vietnamese people but also for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. From the concept of "being a friend" (Congress VII, VIII), to "willing to be a friend" (Congress IX), "being a trusted partner" (Congress X), the XI Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam added the notion of being "a responsible member of the international community," showing the maturation of Vietnam’s diplomacy with increasingly active, proactive, and responsible participation in regional, multilateral, and global mechanisms, organizations, and forums.

The strength of the determination to unify the country and the Vietnamese people's aspiration for peace were the decisive factors that led to the victory of the Spring 1975 General Offensive and Uprising. The task of today and future generations is to cherish, preserve, and develop these values in order to safeguard the beauty of the country and build a stronger Vietnam.