The great social and economic achievements that Vietnam has made in the doi moi (renovation) process, especially in overcoming the recent global economic crisis, have proved the Communist Party’s sound leadership, said Ho Chi Minh City Party leader Le Thanh Hai.
He was speaking at a meeting held February 1 in the HCM City Theatre to mark the 80th anniversary (February 3) of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

High-ranking Party and Government officials at central and local levels, revolutionary veterans, army and labor heroes, and representatives of the consulates general of China, Russia, Cuba, Laos and Cambodia attended the event.
Reviewing the Party’s outstanding history of the past 80 years, Mr. Hai said the apposite policies of the Party in various areas have brought victory after victory to the Vietnamese revolution.
"Under the Party's leadership, our nation successfully carried out the August Revolution in 1945, eliminating the feudal and colonial regime and setting up the State of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam," Mr. Hai said.
“The Party later drove two resistance wars against colonialists and imperialists to success, liberating the entire nation, unifying the country, and contributing to peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress,” Mr. Hai added.
“Our nation is eternally grateful to the revolutionary martyrs who devoted and sacrificed themselves for the Fatherland’s independence and freedom, such as Tran Phu, Le Hong Phong, Ha Huy Tap, Nguyen Van Cu, Le Duan, Phan Dang Luu, Vo Van Tan and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, to name a few.
“A division of the Party, the city Party Committee, established in March 1930, has also overcome much hardship and [made many] sacrifices to contribute to national liberation, especially to the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975 to liberate South Vietnam and unify the country.
“In peacetime, the Party adopted the doi moi policy that helped step up industrialization and modernization of the country; boost economic growth; improve people’s lives; enhance the image and position of Vietnam in the world; and build Vietnam into a strong country with wealthy people and a just, democratic and civilized society,” Mr. Hai said.

The Party leader emphasized that last year, despite heavy impacts of the global financial crisis, the country in general and HCM City in particular, under the leadership of the Party and Government, made great efforts to maintain growth and secure social security, creating advantageous conditions for stronger achievements in 2010.
He called on all city Party members, Government officials and citizens to overcome challenges to fulfill this year’s development targets, including GDP growth of at least 10 percent, maintaining national defense and security, and improving people’s quality of life.
On behalf of the city’s academics and workers, Dr. Tran Hoang Ngan, deputy head of the Economics University, and Tran Thi Hong Van, head of the Trade Union of the Nissei Electric Vietnam in Linh Trung Export Processing Zone, expressed their determination to follow the Party’s leadership and contribute to the city’s development.
The same day saw many cultural events held to welcome the Party’s anniversary, including two photo exhibitions held in Lam Son Park and the Labor Culture Palace in District 1 to highlight the Party’s milestones and achievements.
An exhibition of hundreds of books was also launched at the Nguyen Hue Book Store, showcasing the Party’s activities, and the career and life of late President Ho Chi Minh and other revolutionary leaders.