In his address to the Congress, General Secretary and President Lam, who is also Secretary of the Central Military Commission, said Vietnam is entering a new era of development with great aspirations, high goals, and urgent requirements. He urged the Vietnam Veterans Association to perform its traditional duties well, vigorously innovate the content and methods of its activities, and improve the quality of the Association's organization. Veterans work in the new situation needs to be thoroughly understood and concretized through practical programs, the top leader said.
“The Association's cadres must be exemplary in political acumen, morality, prestige, responsibility, and ability to mobilize the masses. Cadres must be close to members, close to the people, understand the grassroots, dare to think, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility. Each cadre and member must be a role model of loyalty to the Fatherland, to the Party, and to the People. Their words must match their actions, they must live exemplary lives, be compassionate and disciplined.”
Mr. Lam stressed the need to strengthen substantive coordination between the Vietnam Veterans Association and the People's Police Association in maintaining political security and social order from the grassroots level, consolidating the all-people national defense posture linked with the people's security posture, contributing to the firm protection of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The Party and State leader emphasized that the Association needs to participate more deeply and substantively in building and rectifying the Party and the political system, contribute policy making, implement democracy at the grassroots level, better care for the lives, rights and legitimate interests of veterans and former soldiers, while promoting veterans as a resource for national development.
On this occasion, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam presented the Ho Chi Minh Order to the Vietnam Veterans Association.
