(VOVworld) - A national meeting opened in Hanoi on Saturday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army, the 25th anniversary of the National Defence Day on December 22nd, and to present the Gold Star Order for the force.
 |
| President Truong Tan Sang confers the Gold Star Order on the Vietnam People’s Army’s flag (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA) |
The event aims to review the force’s glorious history over the past 70 years in national construction and defense.
The meeting had the attendance of Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, President Truong Tan Sang, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and many other state leaders, generals, revolutionary veterans, heroic mothers, heroes of the people’s armed forces, representatives of diplomatic corps in Hanoi, and the city’s people from all walks of life.
 |
President Truong Tan Sang delivers a speech at the meeting in Hanoi on December 20th
(Photo: Tri Dung/VNA) |
President Truong Tan Sang reviewed the establishment and development of the Vietnamese army and thanked international friends for supporting Vietnamese armed forces and people for Vietnam’s liberation, construction and defense today.
He said the Vietnam People’s Army under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh is a force which has the characteristics of the working class, is for the nation and people and for socialism. Over the past 70 years, with the support of all people, the army has made great victories, safeguarded the socialist regime, and fulfilled its international mission, consolidating its firm position as a revolutionary force, a special political power and winning the Party’s trust.
President Sang said: “We’re consistent in securing national independence in line with socialism, fully tapping the national strength considering economic development as the key factor, party building the factor, and culture as the fundamental foundation for the society. The consolidation of the national security and defense, a vital and regular mission, need to be closely linked with socio-economic development, strengthening of defense and security, and external relations, and the whole people’s defense.”
President Sang said as a peace loving country, Vietnam has always attached importance to keeping peace and stability for socio-economic development, adding: “We have pursued a military policy of self-defense without using or threatening to use force in international relations and resolving any differences and territorial conflicts in peaceful means based on international laws. We have always modernized our army to maintain their military power for self-defense purposes. As our country has experienced many war sufferings, we always respect sovereignty and territorial integrity and benefits of any country based on principles of the UN Charter. We also ask other countries to respect our national sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests.”
Sang stressed that Vietnam does not threaten to use force in international relations but will protect itself from any hostile act and defeat any scheme of the hostile forces. Vietnam has comprehensive promoted military diplomacy and international integration on national defence as well as taken part in the UN’s peace keeping force for humanitarian purpose.
On the same day, President Truong Tan Sang presented Gold Star Order to the Vietnam People’s Army for their great contribution to nation’s revolutionary cause.
 |
| Major-general Tran Quang Phuong, Political Commissar of the Military Region 5 High Command, addresses the celebration |
Various activities have taken place at home and abroad on this occasion. The Military Region 5 High Command organized a meeting with the participation of representatives of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Lao People’s Army. Major-general Tran Quang Phuong said the region’s force will continue to consolidate the political foundation, improve people’s trust by increasing help for the local in socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and programs to pay tribute to those who have rendered great service to the nation and to build new rural areas.
To commemorate the event, reunions of retired generals and military officials, meetings, and ceremonies to burn incense to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and martyrs were organized across to review the 70-year history in fighting and growth.
On Friday, Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao visited and presented gifts to those who have made great contributions to the national struggle and liberation.
Ho Chi Minh City authorities visited and congratulated the municipal Veterans’ Association, the headquarters of the Border Guard, and the High Command of the southern region’s Border Guard. At the separate meetings, the delegation expressed their gratitude to the contributions by veterans and border guards to the national struggle, liberation, and security and defence protection of the city.
Also on Friday, a live TV broadcast was held featuring celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army and the 25th anniversary of the National Defence Day on December 22nd.
In his address, Senior Lieutenant-General Ngo Xuan Lich, Chief of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, said: “to meet requirements of the national construction and defense in the new circumstance, Vietnam People’s Army’s soldiers and military staff promise to do the utmost to deserve the title Uncle Ho’s soldiers toward turning the Vietnamese revolutionary military forces into a modern and elite army. We pledge to be loyal to the Party, the nation, and the people and resolutely defend the national independence and territorial and maritime sovereignty and the socialist regime.”
On this occasion, many exhibitions and art performances were organized to reproduce the glorious tradition of the Vietnam People’s Army.
 |
| The delegates being introduced to exhibited items (Photo: qdnd.vn) |
More than 1,000 Vietnamese and international books and documents on the history of the Vietnamese armed forces and Public Security are on display at an exhibition in Hanoi.
More than 100 photos featuring the army’s development and achievements over the past 70 years are exhibited at the Cultural Center in Buon Ma Thuot city.
Quang Ngai province’s Museum has opened an exhibition showcasing around 200 objects, documents and photos about the resistance war from 1945 to 1975 in Quang Ngai province. On this occasion, Gia Lai’s Literature and Art Association introduced 120 fine art work and photos to mark the event.
Celebrations were also held abroad including in the US, France, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, and Russia. Vietnamese embassy in France and its Military Attaché Office held a ceremony on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 25th anniversary of the All-People's Defense Festive Day. Vietnamese ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son said, in the context of increasing tension threatening peace and sovereignty in many countries, Vietnamese Army has always shown their responsibility and actively taken part in international cooperation activities to assure security and peace in the region and the world. So far, Vietnamese Army has exchanged delegations with more than 80 countries and established Military Attaché Offices in 36 countries.
On the same day, a ceremony to mark this event was held by Vietnamese embassy in Japan and its Military Attaché Office. Japan’s Deputy Defense Minister Akira Sato said the 70th anniversary was an important milestone in the development of Vietnamese Army. He expressed his hope that Vietnam People’s Army will continue developing vigorously and make more contribution to peace and stability in the region and the world.