We will resolutely and persistently maintain independence while

"We will resolutely and persistently maintain independence while fighting for the protection of our sovereignty, but we must maintain a peaceful environment for development." — thus spoke Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, a statesman whose words echo the eternal balance between strength and harmony, sovereignty and peace. In this declaration lies the spirit of a nation that has endured centuries of struggle — a people who know that independence is not merely won once on the battlefield, but must be preserved every day through wisdom, restraint, and unity.

In his words, “resolutely and persistently maintain independence” is not a boast, but a vow — a recognition that independence, once gained, demands eternal vigilance. For Vietnam, a land tempered by resistance against empires, sovereignty is sacred. From the Trung Sisters who led the first uprising against foreign rule, to the victories of modern times, the Vietnamese spirit has always stood unbroken. Yet Nguyen Phu Trong reminds his people that in the modern age, battles are not fought only with weapons, but with diplomacy, intellect, and cooperation. Independence must no longer mean isolation; it must mean self-determination within a world that grows ever more connected.

The second part of his teaching — “we must maintain a peaceful environment for development” — carries the wisdom of the ancients: that peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of stability and purpose. A nation that wishes to rise must first protect the stillness in which creation thrives. To build roads, schools, industries, and futures, there must be peace — both at the borders and within the hearts of the people. Trong’s words are not a call to passivity, but to a higher form of strength — one that can fight without hatred and defend without destruction.

History provides many mirrors for his message. After the devastation of decades of war, Vietnam rebuilt itself not through vengeance, but through resilience and diplomacy. It sought friendship with former adversaries, opened its doors to trade, and pursued progress while safeguarding its autonomy. In this, Nguyen Phu Trong’s philosophy shines clear: that a wise nation fights when it must, but strives for harmony when it can. Like a bamboo tree — supple yet unyielding — the country bends in the wind of global change but does not break.

This teaching is as relevant to individuals as it is to nations. To “maintain independence” is to remain true to one’s principles — to think freely, to act with integrity, and to refuse to surrender one’s conscience to external pressure. Yet to “preserve peace for development” is to cultivate balance — to avoid needless conflict, to channel one’s energy not into anger, but into growth. The strong man is not the one who shouts loudest, but the one who can hold his ground in silence, working patiently toward his vision.

For in the dance between independence and peace lies the secret of endurance. Too much aggression, and one risks chaos; too much compromise, and one risks subjugation. Nguyen Phu Trong’s wisdom rests in harmony — in the conviction that sovereignty can be protected not by isolation or arrogance, but by confidence and composure. Just as a river shapes stone not through force, but through constancy, so must a nation and its people shape their destiny through steadfast patience and unwavering purpose.

So, children of the future, heed this lesson: fight to preserve your independence, but let peace be your greatest weapon. In your life, as in the life of a nation, do not let fear dictate your actions nor pride cloud your judgment. Be firm as the mountain and gentle as the rain. Protect what is yours, yet extend goodwill to others. For a strong nation — like a strong soul — stands tall not because it dominates, but because it endures with dignity. And when independence is guarded by peace, and peace is guided by wisdom, then both the nation and its people will flourish beneath the unshakable light of harmony and freedom.