The Three Declarations of Independence in Vietnamese History

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Throughout its history, Vietnam has had three Declarations of Independence: "Nam Quoc Son Ha" (981), "Binh Ngo Dai Cao" (1428), and the Declaration of Independence in 1945 read by President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi.

1. "Nam Quoc Son Ha"

"Nam Quoc Son Ha" is considered Vietnam's first Declaration of Independence, asserting the sovereignty of Dai Viet. According to historical records, it is a divine poem recited by deities to assist Le Hoan against the Song invaders in 981 and Ly Thuong Kiet in 1077. The poem is a classical Chinese seven-character quatrain without an original title; "Nam Quoc Son Ha" is derived from its first four characters.
 

The poem exists in at least 35 different textual versions and 8 variations in sacred texts. The "Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu" (Complete Annals of Dai Viet) is the first official history book to record it. The Sino-Vietnamese transcription is:

Nam Quốc Sơn Hà Nam đế cư
Tiệt nhiên phận định tại thiên thư
Như hà nghịch lỗ lai xâm phạm
Nhữ đẳng hành khan thủ bại hư

Translation by Lê Thước and Nam Trân:

Mountains and rivers of the Southern country, the Southern Emperor resides
Distinctly allotted in the celestial book
How dare the invaders trespass upon our land
They will surely see themselves defeated

2. "Binh Ngo Dai Cao"

"Binh Ngo Dai Cao," composed by Nguyen Trai in 1428 on behalf of Binh Dinh Vuong Le Loi, announces the victory over the Ming invaders and asserts Dai Viet's independence. It is regarded as Vietnam's second Declaration of Independence. The title means "Great Proclamation on the Pacification of the Wu" (with "Wu" referring to the Ming Dynasty).
 

In 1427, the Lam Sơn uprising forces defeated the Ming reinforcements led by Lieu Thang and Moc Thanh. Vuong Thong, the Ming commander holding out in Dong Quan citadel, sought peace. Le Loi agreed, providing provisions for the Ming troops to withdraw. In 1428, Le Loi tasked Nguyen Trai with writing "Binh Ngo Dai Cao" to inform the nation.

Written in classical Chinese prose (bien ngau), the proclamation has been translated into Vietnamese by scholars like Ngo Tat To, Bui Ky, and Tran Trong Kim. It consists of five sections:

• Affirming the principles of humanity and the independent sovereignty of Dai Viet.
  
• Denouncing the heinous crimes of the Ming invaders.
  
• Depicting the leader of the Lam Sơn uprising and initial hardships.
  
• Detailing the ten-year resistance and glorious victory.
  
• Emphasizing the significance of the uprising and declaring peace.
  

Nguyen Trai not only declared independence but also affirmed equality with China, highlighted the role of the people in history, and explained the just cause behind the Lam Sơn uprising—relying on the populace.

3. The Declaration of Independence in 1945

The Declaration of Independence of Vietnam in 1945, drafted and read by President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945, is considered the third Declaration of Independence in Vietnam's history.
 

Amid the August Revolution of 1945, the Viet Minh leveraged Japan's surrender to initiate a general uprising nationwide starting August 14, 1945. Riding the wave of success, on August 26, 1945, at 48 Hang Ngang Street, Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh chaired a meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. The committee decided to prepare the Declaration of Independence and organize a massive rally in Hanoi for the Provisional Government to debut, marking the official proclamation of Vietnam's independence and the establishment of the Democratic Republic.

On August 30, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh invited several individuals to contribute to the draft Declaration. He made further revisions on August 31. On September 2, 1945, he read the Declaration before hundreds of thousands of people at Ba Dinh Square, officially founding the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

The Declaration comprises three parts:

• Legal basis.
  
• Practical basis.
  
• Proclamation of independence.
  

Excerpt from the Declaration:

"A people who have courageously opposed French domination for more than 80 years, a people who have courageously sided with the Allies against the Fascists for several years—such a people must be free! Such a people must be independent... Vietnam has the right to be a free and independent country—and in fact, it is so already. The entire Vietnamese nation is determined to mobilize all its spirit and resources, to sacrifice their lives and property, in order to safeguard their independence and liberty."