Highlighting decisive spring turning points in Vietnam’s revolution

The exhibition “Spring - Source of Victory” is held to mark the 80th anniversary of the National Assembly of Vietnam (January 6, 1946 - January 6, 2026), the 85th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s return to the homeland (January 28, 1941 - January 28, 2026), and the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2026).

With a consistent message about the decisive beginnings of Vietnam’s revolution taking place in spring, the exhibition highlights historic turning points, the Party’s leadership role, and the immense strength of the people laying the groundwork for the victories of Vietnam’s revolutionary cause.

Part 1: Revolutionary Spring

This section presents the context in which revolutionary thinking and organization took shape from scattered patriotic movements to the unification of communist organizations and the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the spring of 1930, closely associated with the pivotal role and major contributions of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc.

The birth of the Communist Party of Vietnam ended the crisis of national salvation paths, opening a major turning point in Vietnam’s revolutionary history and laying the foundation for all national victories in the 20th century. A key spring milestone came in 1941, when on January 28, 1941, leader Nguyen Ai Quoc returned to the homeland to directly lead Vietnam’s revolution, laying the basis for building the great national unity bloc and preparing forces for the August 1945 General Uprising that won success.

Featured documents and artifacts include key Party documents and resolutions from 1930-1945 such as the Brief Political Platform and Brief Strategy of the Party (1930), and the Eighth Plenum Resolution of the Party Central Committee (May 1941). Also displayed are notable newspapers such as Dan Chung (The People) the Central organ of the Indochinese Communist Party founded by General Secretary Nguyen Van Cu and published in Saigon (Spring 1939 issue); Lao Dong (Labour) the labor movement organ of the Southern Regional Party Committee of the Indochinese Communist Party, published in Saigon (Spring 1939 issue); and Cuu Quoc (National Salvation) the Central organ of the Viet Minh General Headquarters (Spring 1942 issue dated February 10, 1942; Spring 1943; Spring 1945).

The display also introduces a collection of revolutionary press publications before 1945 and newspaper printing tools, including Thanh Nien (Youth) the mouthpiece of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League founded by Nguyen Ai Quoc in Guangzhou (China), issue dated October 3, 1926; Lao Dong (Labour) the propaganda paper of the Red General Confederation of Workers in Tonkin, issue No. 4 dated November 1, 1929; and Viet Nam Doc Lap (Independent Vietnam) the Viet Minh propaganda paper in Cao Bang, issue No. 101 dated August 1, 1941. Notably, the exhibition features the Party’s Spring newspaper collection from before the August 1945 Revolution.

In addition, the exhibition displays everyday and work items used by President Ho Chi Minh during his time living and working in Cao Bang simple objects such as a pot, bowls, a basin and a walking stick reflecting his modest lifestyle and steadfast working spirit in hardship. From Pac Bo the revolutionary “headwaters” the light of revolutionary thought and line was kindled and spread nationwide. It was here that President Ho Chi Minh and the Party Central Committee made strategic decisions that laid the foundations for the victory of the August 1945 Revolution.

Part 2: Spring of Independence

This section showcases the victory of the August 1945 Revolution and the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945, opening an era of independence and freedom for the Vietnamese nation. It then highlights the nationwide general election on January 6, 1946 an event marking the establishment of the people’s sovereignty and providing the legal foundation for building the first people’s democratic state in Vietnam’s history. Through this, the exhibition underscores the historic shift from winning independence to building a state of the people, by the people and for the people.

Also on view are artifacts and images of the Independence Day ceremony on September 2, 1945; collections relating to the January 6, 1946 general election and the First National Assembly, including decrees, ballot boxes and voter cards. Notable items include the voter card of Le Van Quy, a national defense worker of Team 14, Unit 4445/TG in My Hiep, Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province, issued on December 31, 1945 for the election of the First National Assembly; and a ballot box used on January 6, 1946 for the election of National Assembly deputies by residents of Tuyen Hoa District, Quang Binh Province. A collection of national currency “Uncle Ho banknotes” issued after the August 1945 Revolution also affirms the sovereignty of the independent state.

Part 3: Spring of Aspiration

This section portrays nearly 40 years of national renewal and development under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam from the Sixth National Party Congress in 1986, which launched the renewal process, to the journey of integration, digital transformation and national advancement in a new era featuring major milestones tied to historically significant achievements in economic, political, cultural and social domains. These achievements have helped enhance Vietnam’s position and prestige internationally.

The content also reflects preparations for the 14th National Party Congress, demonstrating political resolve and strategic vision for a new development stage, reinforcing public confidence in the country’s development path.

The music score “Xuan Moi” composed by Truong Tuan and Van Minh for the first Lunar New Year of an independent Vietnam, in 1945. Photo: Hoa QuynhThe music score “Xuan Moi” composed by Truong Tuan and Van Minh for the first Lunar New Year of an independent Vietnam, in 1945. Photo: Hoa Quynh

Displayed documents and images include: the Sixth National Party Congress (1986) the congress that initiated the national renewal cause; a compilation of key milestones over 40 years of renewal; documents of the Party Congresses VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and XIII; and major Politburo resolutions in recent years to drive strong and sustainable national development in a new era, including Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation; Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025 on “International integration in the new context”; Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW dated May 4, 2025 on private sector development; and Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW dated April 30, 2025 on renewing law-making and law enforcement to meet national development requirements in a new era.

Images also highlight Party and State leaders at major national events and commemorations such as the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and national reunification, and the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; alongside preparations for the 14th National Party Congress through conference images, meetings and guiding documents, clarifying the vision and development goals for the new phase.

Inspiring confidence and the spirit of self-reliance

Sharing at the opening ceremony, Director of the National Museum of History Nguyen Van Doan said that “Spring - Source of Victory” presents more than 150 representative documents and artifacts, reflecting historical milestones across periods and the nation’s “springs,” affirming the leadership role of the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the people’s mastery as the creative subject shaping history.

The exhibition introduces many valuable items shown for the first time, including the music score “Xuan Moi” by Truong Tuan and Van Minh, composed for the first Lunar New Year of an independent Vietnam, expressing the joy, confidence and new momentum of a nation that had just won independence and freedom opening the country’s first spring. Alongside are standout items such as the Party’s Spring newspaper collection and treasured memorabilia of President Ho Chi Minh during his time in Pac Bo, vividly reflecting Vietnam’s revolutionary history.

“These materials and artifacts not only mark historic milestones of Vietnam’s revolution, but also inspire confidence, the spirit of self-reliance and self-strengthening, and the commitment to learning and contributing among generations. This is also an occasion for the public to reflect on meaningful beginnings, where each spring is associated with a major shift in Vietnam’s revolutionary journey from winning national independence, building the country, to renewal, integration and development,” Nguyen Van Doan emphasized.

The exhibition “Spring - Source of Victory” offers the public an opportunity to revisit the key foundational milestones of Vietnam’s revolution, where each spring is linked with a turning point in the journey to win independence, defend, build and develop the nation. Through valuable materials, the exhibition helps kindle national pride, promote the strength of solidarity, and inspire the aspiration to contribute among younger generations in today’s nation-building and development efforts.