(VOVworld)- The 5^th National Congress of the War Veterans’ Association opened in Hanoi today attracting more than 500 delegates representing more than 2.6 million war veterans. Party, State, National Assembly and government leaders participated at the event. The Congress will focus on measures to encourage the Association’s members to bring into play the fine characteristics of Uncle Ho soldiers, further contribute to national development and assist one another to develop the economy. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong says: “The Association needs to strengthen political and ideological education to make its members more aware of the Party’s guidelines and the State policies, maintain firm political stance, and be faithful to the revolutionary ideology of Marxism- Leninism, and Ho Chi Minh Thought. It’s important to boost the emulation movements, the campaign of following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example  and update war veterans on the country’s issues, newly arising problems, and complications of national and international political, economic, and social issues, thus creating an ideological consensus for defeating hostile forces’ sabotage attempts”.