Mexico City (VNA) - Mexican journalist Pedro Estrada Vega has described the victory of the August Revolution in 1945 as a historic milestone of great significance to Vietnam and an inspiration to peoples worldwide in their struggles for independence and self-determination.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Mexico on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Vietnam's August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), Estrada said the revolution’s historical values continue to be reflected in today’s image of a peaceful, dynamic and increasingly integrated Vietnam.
He said the August Revolution, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, led the nationwide uprising to victory and marked a decisive turning point in Vietnam’s history. The victory paved the way for President Ho Chi Minh to read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).
According to the Mexican journalist, the significance of the August Revolution extended beyond Vietnam, inspiring peoples fighting colonialism and seeking self-determination. Vietnam demonstrated that anation, even when materially weaker, can still win and defend its independence through determination, unity, and unwavering faith in its goals.
Estrada described President Ho Chi Minh as one of the most influential leaders in the 20th century, saying his revolutionary thought and activities not only shaped Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation but also inspired anti-colonial movements across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
He also referred to UNESCO’s 1987 recommendation that member states join in commemorating the centenary of Ho Chi Minh’s birth, recognising his contributions to national liberation, peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.
Pedro Estrada said that President Ho Chi Minh has been well known in Mexico for decades, citing former Mexican President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río (1934–1940), who once compared President Ho Chi Minh with Mahatma Gandhi - two prominent leaders of the struggle for national independence in Asia and exemplars of integrity, dedication, selflessness, and wholehearted service to their people.
Turning to Vietnam today, Estrada said he is particularly impressed by the country’s transformation in recent decades. While Vietnam was once often portrayed internationally through images of war and the struggle for independence, the “S-shaped country” is now increasingly known for its dynamism, development and proactive international integration.
The journalist said he has witnessed these changes firsthand during three visits to Vietnam over the past three years, each lasting about a month. He praised the country’s achievements in economy, society, culture, science, education and tourism, saying its people had left an equally strong impression on him.
Estrada further said that he had made friends with many Vietnamese people and received their support and warmth during his travels, giving him a closer watch on the country he has spent years studying and writing about. “I love Vietnam, I love the Vietnamese people,” he said, adding that Vietnam and its people will always remain in his heart.
He also noted that despite their geographical distance, Vietnam and Mexico share historical experiences, with both peoples having fought for independence and undergone difficult periods of economic and social transformation. Such shared experiences have fostered mutual understanding and provided a foundation for bilateral friendship.
Recalling the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Mexico diplomatic relations in 2025, Estrada praised the positive development of bilateral ties over more than half a century. He expressed his admiration for Vietnam, describing it as “a beautiful country, a model of development and fairness” and saying he hopes to return many more times.
Eighty-one years after the autumn of 1945, Vietnam has travelled a long road from winning independence and safeguarding sovereignty to national development and international integration. Through the eyes of a Mexican journalist who has visited the country repeatedly, today’s Vietnam is defined not only by its proud history but also by its development achievements, people and increasingly close friendship with Mexico./.
