(VOVworld) – Various activities have been held nationwide to mark the 70th anniversary of Vietnam People’s Army and the 25th anniversary of the People's National Defense Festival.
A celebration took place in Cao Bang province on Monday to commemorate the anniversaries and announce Tran Hung Dao forest as a special national relic site. This forest is where the predecessor of the Vietnam People’s Army – the Vietnam Armed Propaganda Unit for National Liberation – was founded in 1944.
Tran Hung Dao forest is recognized as a special national relic site (photo: baoquangngai.vn)
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The event was attended by President Truong Tan Sang. Over the past 70 years, the force that began with just 34 soldiers has grown up and greatly contributed to Vietnam’s national development.
National Assembly Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son addressed the event:“The Vietnam People’s Army is a force that was formed and developed by the people. They fight for the people, for national independence and socialism, and are loyal to the people and the Party. Over the past 70 years, the Army has overcome every difficulty and won glorious victories.”
On this occasion, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son gave Cao Bang authorities a certificate recognizing Tran Hung Dao forest as a special national relic site.
Special art program in Cao Bang to commemorate the anniversary (photo: VOV)
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The same day, Ho Chi Minh City hosted a special art program to commemorate the anniversary. The performances reproduced stirring images of Vietnam’s revolutionary soldiers.
Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien visited and donated medical equipment worth 9,400 USD to the military medical clinic at the Soc Giang border station of Cao Bang’s Border Guard High Command.
A reunion of retired generals and military officials was held in Hanoi on Tuesday.
At the event, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi praised the contributions of generations of soldiers and military personnel of the Vietnam People’s Army over the past 70 years to national construction and defense heedless of all difficulties. Nghi said:
“Hanoi is forever proud of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army and keenly aware that the city’s glorious achievements during its liberation, construction, and protection are the outcome of close coordination between Hanoi residents and the army.”
The same day, Tay Ninh’s Literature and Arts Association worked with the provincial military headquarters to open an exhibition featuring the VPA’s activities. On display are 200 paintings, statues, and photos of soldiers in combat and helping the locals in new rural development programs.
In Quang Binh, various exchanges of culture, arts, and talk shows were organized to review the tradition of Vietnam’s military forces. Hundreds of gift sets were presented to 2 million disadvantaged children, policy families, and heroic mothers in the province. Eight houses valued at more than 47,000 USD were built for the families of disadvantaged soldiers.
In Beijing, the Vietnamese Embassy organized a celebration drawing many senior officials of China’s armed forces, military attaches of other countries, representatives of diplomatic corps, and relatives of those who used to help Vietnam during the resistance war against French colonialists.