Festival of the working class and working people around the world

International Labor Day on May 1 is a day of celebration and action for the international labor movement and for workers around the world, with many activities held to honor those directly involved in national economic development efforts.

Every year, workers around the world celebrate International Workers' Day, honoring workers - the core force, the pioneers, directly contributing to the construction and development of the country. No country can succeed and prosper without the dedication of its workforce.

Labor Day

From the second half of the 19th century, capitalism entered the monopoly stage, industrial production increased rapidly, especially strongly developing in some countries such as: England, France, Germany, America...

Along with the progress of the capitalist economy, the bourgeoisie increased its exploitation and impoverishment of workers. Contradictions increased, and the struggles between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie took place on an increasingly large scale.

In particular, the issue of working time is of great significance. The slogan “8-hour work day” appeared early in England and gradually spread to other countries.

On May 1, 1886, in Chicago (USA), responding to the call of the "American Federation of Labor," tens of thousands of workers across the city went on strike, held rallies and demonstrated in the streets (40 days without going to work at the factory).

The slogan “Eight-hour workday” became the common voice of the working class. Workers across the United States spoke out in support of the Chicago workers’ demands. Workers in France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, etc. also held many rallies in response.

From the struggles of workers, the governments of some countries were forced to enact the 8-hour workday law.

To recognize the achievements of the workers' movements in various countries, at the founding congress of the Second International, convened on July 14, 1889, delegates of the working class passed a resolution to make May 1 the day of solidarity and struggle of workers around the world.

Since then, May 1st has become International Labor Day - a festival of the working class and working people around the world.

Implementing the Resolution of the Second International, on May 1, 1890, for the first time, International Workers' Day was celebrated on a world scale. Workers in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy and many other countries went on strike, held rallies, and took to the streets to demonstrate carrying banners reading "8-hour work day" and "Workers of all countries unite."

Today, May 1st International Labor Day has become a holiday in many countries around the world, dedicated to honoring labor and building labor solidarity around the world; a festival of the working class and working people around the world, a day of solidarity of the working class and oppressed peoples around the world in the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.

This holiday is celebrated as an official holiday in more than 80 countries around the world; with many celebration programs and activities to further raise social awareness about International Workers' Day, the role and rights of workers.

International Labor Day in Vietnam

In Vietnam, since the early years of the 20th century, leader Nguyen Ai Quoc spread Marxism-Leninism into Vietnam, helping Vietnamese workers understand the world communist, workers' and trade union movements, especially the Russian October Revolution and International Labor Day on May 1.

Right in the first Platform, our Party identified the role and historical mission of the Vietnamese working class as the revolutionary leadership class, the core of the worker-peasant alliance.

On May 1, 1930 - for the first time in the history of the workers' movement in Indochina, the working class of our country under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam demonstrated in the streets to demonstrate revolutionary solidarity with international workers, and at the same time directly fight against the French colonial imperialists, demanding that France improve working conditions, increase wages and implement the 8-hour labor law. That was the starting point for the entire 1930-1931 high tide, culminating in the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement.

After the country gained independence, on February 18, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 22c, stipulating that May 1 is one of the official holidays of our country. On April 29, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh signed Decree No. 56, stipulating that workers are entitled to receive salary on May 1, International Labor Day.

On May 1, 1946, for the first time in our country's history, International Labor Day was solemnly celebrated in Hanoi, with the participation of 200,000 working people.

Since then, International Labor Day has become one of the country's major holidays, a festival of the working class and working people of Vietnam.

Since 1975, the celebration of International Labor Day in Vietnam has become increasingly meaningful as this day takes place right after the day the entire Party, people and army celebrate the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30).

This is an opportunity for the working class and laborers nationwide to review the tradition of fighting against foreign invaders; enthusiastically respond to patriotic emulation movements to express their remembrance and deep gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, thereby increasing their determination to follow the revolutionary path chosen by the Party and Uncle Ho, to build and firmly defend the Fatherland.