Ho Chi Minh City's 50th anniversary: Pride in a city named after Uncle Ho

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is celebrating 50 years since being renamed in honor of President Ho Chi Minh, marking a half-century of transformation into Vietnam's economic engine and a symbol of national pride. Beyond its economic leadership, the city is cherished for embodying solidarity, youthful energy, a pioneering spirit, and the collective aspiration to build a civilized and modern urban center.

Residents reflect on the profound changes since national reunification. The city has overcome numerous challenges through the hard work, resilience, and dynamism of its people. Roads have been widened, new bridges constructed, and urban infrastructure, including industrial zones, hospitals, and schools, has been significantly upgraded. Areas once considered remote are now developing rapidly, contributing to the city's modern appearance and faster pace of life, which has opened up broader opportunities for work, education, and career advancement.

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But what I appreciate most about Ho Chi Minh City is the human connection. The city is always open to people from many regions coming to live and work. Here, one can easily encounter meals of solidarity, free glasses of iced tea, "0 dong" buses, and people ready to help each other in times of adversity.

What residents value most about Ho Chi Minh City is its spirit of human connection and inclusivity. The city is known for warmly welcoming people from all regions of Vietnam to live and work. Acts of kindness, such as shared meals, free iced tea, and volunteer transportation services, are common, reflecting a deep-seated willingness to help one another during times of hardship.

Military officers stationed in the city express deep pride in serving and living in Ho Chi Minh City. They emphasize their responsibility to uphold the city's peace and stability, enabling its continued development. For them, following President Ho Chi Minh's teachings involves concrete actions in their daily duties, adhering to military discipline, strengthening political resolve, enhancing professional skills, and remaining ready to fulfill any assigned mission. They stress the importance of adapting to new eras by mastering technology and applying it effectively in training, management, and operations, recognizing their vital role in ensuring a secure environment for the city's sustainable growth.

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For me, learning and following Uncle Ho's words is not something distant but starts with very specific actions in daily work. It is strictly adhering to military discipline, training political bravery, improving professional qualifications, training well, and being ready to accept and complete all assigned tasks.