General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, attended the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang stressed that the Party and State’s decision to confer the prestigious title upon Department 16 for a second time was a great honor and a major responsibility for the unit and the entire General Department II.
He called on all officers, personnel and soldiers of Department 16 to stay absolutely steadfast in the principle of the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over defense intelligence work, while strengthening close ties with the people, improving the leadership capacity and combat capacity of Party organizations, and building a contingent of capable and dedicated cadres and Party members.
The Defense Minister expressed confidence that, under the leadership of the Party, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense and the leadership of General Department II, Department 16 and the entire intelligence force would continue to fulfill all assigned tasks and uphold the proud traditions of Vietnam’s defense intelligence service.
At the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang presented the title "Hero of the People’s Armed Forces" to Department 16 in recognition of its outstanding achievements.
