Reclaim power for the people.

Recalling the autumn of the 1945 Revolution, the people of Son La and the entire nation are once again filled with national pride. The success of the August Revolution was the first great victory of our people since the Party's leadership, marking a turning point in the history of the Vietnamese nation. Power was transferred to the people, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born – the first workers' and peasants' state in Southeast Asia; ending the feudal monarchy in Vietnam; and concluding more than 80 years of our people's subjugation under colonial and fascist rule. The Vietnamese people, from a state of slavery, became citizens of an independent country, masters of their own destiny. Vietnam, from a semi-feudal colonial country, became an independent, free, and democratic nation.

Northwest Square, Son La city, during the Autumn Independence Day season.
Photo: Huy Ngoan

In Son La, amidst the rising revolutionary fervor, based on the Central Party Committee's directive "The Japanese-French conflict and our actions," comrades Le Trung Toan and Chu Van Thinh developed a plan to prepare for an armed uprising to seize the district capital, establish the Mai Son guerrilla base, and then expand to other localities. Meanwhile, on July 22, 1945, influenced by the Van-Hien Luong war zone (belonging to Phu Tho and Yen Bai), and in coordination with the Liberation Army detachment of the war zone, the Phu Yen district's National Salvation Youth force successfully seized power. Phu Yen, being the first locality to seize power, boosted the revolutionary spirit of the people of Son La and spurred the Muong Chanh uprising to act swiftly.

In a short period starting from August 19, 1945, the successful uprising in Muong Chanh inspired the people of Mai Son and other ethnic groups in the province to rise up in rebellion to seize power and achieve successive victories in the districts of Muong La, Thuan Chau, Mai Son, and Yen Chau.

In the provincial capital, on August 26, 1945, a large rally was held on Khau Ca Hill, with thousands of people attending to support the Viet Minh and the revolutionary government. The Provisional Revolutionary Committee introduced itself to the people, declaring: The uprising in Son La has been completely victorious. From now on, the people of all ethnic groups are masters of their villages and their country.

Researching the history of seizing power in Son La, Mr. Ha Ngoc Hoa, of the Provincial Historical Science Association, affirmed: The victory of the August Revolution in Son La was the result of the preparatory process of the prison Party cell since 1939. This leadership was demonstrated in the creative application of the Party's correct political line to the specific conditions of the locality, in the unity of thought and organization, in the close relationship with the masses, and especially in the fierce fighting spirit of the people. Because they had been educated by the Party beforehand, even though the number of Party members was very small, the local cadres and the people had a very high revolutionary spirit, rising up to overthrow the oppression and exploitation of imperialism and its collaborators.

The revolution shattered the harsh colonial rule that had lasted for 57 years since the French invasion of Son La; it overthrew the feudal bureaucracy and feudal lords that had ruled the people of Son La for thousands of years. The people of Son La escaped oppression and slavery, becoming masters of their own country, homeland, and villages, uniting to build a prosperous life and protect national independence and freedom under the leadership of the Party.

Strengthening the people's trust in the Party and the government.

Following the August Revolution, the Communist Party of Vietnam became the ruling party, continuing to lead the people to achieve many great victories, conducting two protracted wars of resistance, defeating the French colonialists and the United States, the most formidable imperialist powers at the time, with brilliant victories: the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954, "renowned throughout the world and shaking the earth"; the "Dien Bien Phu in the air" in 1972; and the Great Spring Victory of 1975, unifying the country and achieving many important and comprehensive achievements in the renovation process. "Our country has never had such a foundation, potential, position, and international prestige as it does today." Our Party always focuses on building and rectifying the Party, consolidating a clean and strong political system; leading the construction of a "State of the people, by the people, and for the people," maintaining the people's trust in the Party and the State.

Officers and soldiers of the 1st Infantry Battalion, 754th Regiment, study politics and ideology.
Photo: PV

Throughout the revolutionary periods, the Party Committee of Son La province has continuously improved its leadership capacity and fighting strength; strengthened leadership in building a clean and strong Party and political system, and tightened the close relationship between the Party and the people. Cadres, Party members, and people of all ethnic groups in Son La province have upheld revolutionary traditions, the spirit of unity, self-reliance, and self-improvement, striving to move forward.

Currently, the Provincial Party Committee has 17 subordinate Party committees; 829 grassroots Party organizations (328 Party committees, 501 Party branches), 3,890 Party branches directly under grassroots Party committees with 92,460 Party members, and 100% of villages, sub-districts, and residential areas have Party branches. Party committees and authorities from the provincial to the grassroots level focus on institutionalizing the Party's leadership methods, better promoting the role of state agencies, the Fatherland Front, and political and social organizations. They are innovative, proactive, and creative in organizing and implementing tasks related to socio-economic development, national defense, security, and foreign affairs. As a result, Son La has achieved many important and fairly comprehensive achievements in various fields: The province's economy has maintained a relatively high growth rate; The economy has grown rapidly, with the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) at current prices reaching VND 67,735 billion in 2023, averaging VND 51.7 million per person per year. Culture, society, health, and education are increasingly developing; national defense and security are ensured, and foreign relations activities are strengthened.

The Party Committee, government, Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations have promoted the people's right to self-governance and cared for their lives. The motto "The people know, the people discuss, the people do, the people inspect, the people supervise, and the people benefit" has been implemented synchronously and in line with the people's will. The great unity of ethnic groups has been continuously strengthened and maintained. Social security policies have been given attention and implemented. The people's living standards have gradually improved, with the poverty rate at the end of 2023 reaching 14.17%.

Launching the model of a friendly government in Van Ho commune, Van Ho district.

During the August Revolution, the revolutionary movement flourished in Muong Chanh and Muong La. Building on this tradition, the Party Committee and people of all ethnic groups in Muong La district have always been united, overcoming all difficulties, fighting enthusiastically, and engaging in productive labor, achieving many accomplishments and contributing to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Together with the people of the province and the entire country, they have written glorious chapters in the history of their homeland and nation.

Comrade Vu Duc Thuan, Secretary of the Muong La District Party Committee, reported: Currently, the Party Committee has 57 grassroots Party organizations with 6,491 Party members, and 100% of villages and sub-districts have Party branches. The district Party Committee is strengthening the building of a clean and strong Party organization, improving leadership capacity and fighting strength; building an effective and efficient political system; promoting democracy and the strength of ethnic unity; arousing the aspirations and will to strive of cadres, Party members and the people, determined to successfully achieve the goals of economic and social development, ensuring national defense and security. The material and spiritual lives of the people have improved significantly. The poverty rate has decreased to 14.11%. Less than two years after implementing the Resolution of the District Party Congress for the 2020-2025 term, Muong La district has been removed from the list of poor districts according to Decision No. 353/QD-TTg dated March 15, 2022, of the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, in the revolutionary base area of ​​Muong Chanh, Mai Son district, continuing the revolutionary tradition, the Party committee, government, and people are united and working together to build an increasingly prosperous and beautiful homeland. Comrade Nguyen Trong Nam, Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, informed: Muong Chanh is the second commune in Mai Son district to achieve the new rural standard at the end of 2017. The people's lives are improving, with an average per capita income of 45 million VND/year and the poverty rate reduced to 2.65%. The commune is focusing on striving to be recognized as an advanced new rural standard by 2025.

Commemorating the 79th anniversary of the successful August Revolution, the Party Committee, government, and people of all ethnic groups in Son La province uphold revolutionary traditions, wholeheartedly following the path chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and our people; demonstrating determination and striving to successfully implement the Resolution of the 15th Son La Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025, "Enhancing the leadership capacity and fighting strength of the Party Committee, promoting democracy and the strength of national unity; accelerating innovation; ensuring national defense and security; building Son La province into a green, rapid, and sustainable development."

Pham Duc