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On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of International Workers' Day (May 1, 1886 – May 1, 2026), Nguyen Anh Tuan, President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), sent a congratulatory letter to union members and workers nationwide.
In the letter, President Nguyen Anh Tuan recalled that 140 years ago, International Workers' Day was born from the courageous, unyielding struggle of nearly 40,000 workers in Chicago (United States) demanding an “eight-hour workday.” He said the day has since become a symbol of solidarity and struggle for the rights of progressive working people, the socialist movement, and international workers.
He noted that over 140 years, despite many upheavals in world history, that spirit has retained its value and continues to inspire movements for peace, progress, and social justice worldwide.
President Nguyen Anh Tuan said that in Vietnam, the spirit of International Workers' Day was spread early by Nguyen Ai Quoc—Ho Chi Minh, combining with the tradition of patriotism. He added that it became a driving force for the workers' movement and the revolutionary movement, helping elevate the Vietnamese working class to the political stage and making it the leadership class of the revolution through the vanguard party, the Communist Party of Vietnam.
He further stated that, after nearly a century of formation and development under the Party’s leadership and the unity of the Trade Union, Vietnam’s working class has grown and matured and has contributed to the revolutionary movement.
“In every achievement of each stage of the revolution, every project, every product, every step forward for the country bears the mark of the hands and minds of Vietnam's patriotic, steadfast, hardworking, creative and devoted workers,” President Nguyen Anh Tuan emphasized.
Along with the maturation of the working class, President Nguyen Anh Tuan said the Vietnam Trade Union Organisation has increasingly affirmed its role as a broad political-social organization of the working class.
He described the Trade Union as a trusted representative and a solid support for members and workers through practical and humane programs, including: “Tet Sum Vay,” “Workers’ Month,” “Trade Union Housing,” “Member Benefits,” and “Skilled, Creative Labor.”
According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, the XIV Congress of the Party recently concluded successfully and set out directions and strategic development goals for the country in the era of national ascent, including the determination to successfully achieve two strategic goals for 100 years.
He said these directions and goals have been reflected in the draft Political Report of the XIV Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, submitted to the Congress for adoption and to be implemented in the 2026–2031 term. The report, he said, reflects the responsibility of the working class and the VGCL before the country’s new opportunities.
President Nguyen Anh Tuan said the 140th anniversary of International Workers' Day is an occasion to be prouder of the traditions of the international socialist and workers' movement, the revolutionary tradition of the working class and the VGCL under the Party’s leadership, while looking toward a bright future with strong spiritual motivation and high political will.
He called on the VGCL leadership to hope that every cadre, union member, and worker—regardless of position, field, or production area, whether at home or abroad—will continue to uphold the spirit of International Workers' Day May 1 and the precious tradition of the Vietnamese working class and the VGCL.
He urged workers to promote patriotism, pride, and national identity; strengthen solidarity, responsibility, and creativity; and actively study and train to raise political resolve, professional qualifications, skills, industrial discipline, and work ethic.
He also said workers should foster innovation, promote initiative, advance technical improvements, raise labor productivity, and contribute to achieving the double-digit growth target, building a strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy Vietnam.
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