Elevating Dong Thap’s Profile

(DTO) Though more than half a century has passed, the 1975 Great Spring Victory—alongside the historic triumphs of Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da, Bach Dang, and Dien Bien Phu—remains a glorious milestone and a pivotal turning point in the millennia-long history of Vietnam’s nation-building and defense.

Fifty-one years on, the victory of the resistance war against the U.S. for national salvation remains deeply embedded in the hearts of the Vietnamese people and peace-loving friends worldwide. It continues to be a profound source of spiritual strength, inspiring the entire Party, people, and armed forces to strive for national development, accelerate industrialization and modernization, and foster international integration, while steadfastly building socialism and safeguarding the Fatherland.

Since then, Vietnam has undergone continuous renewal, development, and international integration, particularly during the 40-year "Doi Moi" (Renovation) process initiated and led by the Party.

In the aftermath of national reunification, the country faced countless difficulties and challenges. However, as the saying goes, difficulties are not meant to defeat us, but to be overcome by us. 

In that spirit, the entire Party, people, and armed forces have remained united and resolute, sharing a common will and determination to overcome difficulties with the mindset that “adversity tests true strength, just as fire tests gold.”

Through these tireless efforts, Vietnam has transitioned from an underdeveloped nation to a middle-income developing country. The nation’s landscape and people’s living standards have undergone profound transformations; socio-political stability has been maintained; national defense and security have been fortified; the country’s overall strength has been significantly bolstered; and foreign relations have been increasingly expanded.

At the same time, progress in social equity, cultural development, and the national new rural development program has achieved significant results, bringing about profound changes from urban to rural areas.

Within these national achievements are the substantial contributions and tireless efforts of the Party organizations, authorities, and people of the former Tien Giang Province and Dong Thap Province, now merged into today’s Dong Thap Province.

In the years immediately following liberation, the Party committees, authorities, and people of the two provinces strengthened unity and worked together to rebuild and develop their homeland. 

Since then, the socio-economic landscape of both localities has continued to advance, especially in recent years. 

Specifically, during the 2020–2025 period, key socio-economic indicators consistently met or exceeded targets; economic growth remained high; and the number of newly established enterprises steadily increased.

Cultural and social sectors also recorded positive progress; social welfare was ensured; poverty reduction, job creation, and housing support for low-income households received close attention and direction, contributing to improved living standards. Political security and social order have remained stable.

The year 2026 marks the first year of implementing the Resolution of the first Dong Thap Provincial Party Congress and the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress. The province enters this phase with a solid foundation built on the achievements of the 2020–2025 term, particularly those of 2025.

At the same time, on June 30, 2025, the merger of Tien Giang and Dong Thap provinces into the new Dong Thap province opened up new development space and created fresh momentum to strengthen connectivity between the Mekong Delta and the key economic region of the Southeast.

This provincial integration creates a synergistic platform to leverage their respective strengths thereby creating outstanding potential for robust, comprehensive, and sustainable development in a new historical phase.

On that basis, Dong Thap is cultivating a core value system for its people of the “Pink Lotus Land” with core standards: patriotism, unity, honesty, self-reliance, diligence, cooperation, compassion, dynamism, and creativity. The province is focusing on building its culture and people by promoting these cultural values as internal strength to enhance its image, drive innovation, and create breakthroughs in thinking and action across the entire political system and among the people.

Dong Thap’s local identity is shaped by highly representative and symbolic values, bearing a strong imprint of the distinctive riverine culture of the Mekong Delta.

In addition, the province has inherited a strong tradition of unity and solidarity, with shared determination and a common will—from leadership to grassroots—undaunted by difficulties and resilient in the face of challenges.

This “distinctive asset” stands as a valuable legacy of the Dong Thap Party organization, vividly proven through decades of efforts to overcome hardships over more than half a century since the historic April 30, 1975.

Therefore, in the joyful and vibrant atmosphere marking the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, there is every reason for confidence and expectation that 2026 in particular, and the 2025–2030 period as a whole, will usher in a new phase of development—one of continuous progress and advancement, further enhancing Dong Thap’s position not only within the region but across the country.

By DONG THAP
Translated by X.QUANG