(VOVworld) - A ceremony was held in Vientiane, Laos on Friday to mark the 71^st anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 26^th National Defense Day. Colonel Tao Van Thai, Vietnamese Defense Attaché in Laos hailed the development of the Vietnam People’s Army with many achievements over the past 71 years under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He said the Vietnam People’s Army will join Vietnamese people nationwide to protect Vietnam’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and contribute to national development and international integration.