Traditional gathering to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day.

Comrade Tong Thi Phong visits the photo exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day.

Attending the meeting were: Ms. Tong Thi Phong, former Member of the Political Bureau and former Standing Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam; Mr. Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Thai Hung, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Ms. Trang Thi Xuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Vi Duc Tho, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province; members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee; leaders of the Provincial People's Council and People's Committee; former provincial leaders; representatives from districts, cities, departments, agencies, and mass organizations; and a large number of officers, soldiers of the armed forces, and former military personnel. Also present were leaders of the Military Commands of Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, Hua Phan, and Oudomxay provinces (Lao People's Democratic Republic).

Delegates attending the traditional gathering.

At the traditional gathering, delegates reviewed the glorious 80-year tradition of building, fighting, maturing, and developing the heroic Vietnam People's Army. These were the immense contributions and selfless sacrifices of generations of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army to the cause of national liberation, reunification, and the protection of the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland throughout the past 80 years.

Retired and former military personnel attended the meeting.

The birth of the Vietnam People's Army was a great turning point in the Vietnamese revolution, marking the maturity of the Party's leadership and President Ho Chi Minh's ideology. Starting with only 34 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam Liberation Propaganda Team, our army quickly developed the nation's tradition of resisting foreign invaders and its military art of "using few to defeat many," "using small forces to win against large ones." From the initial victories at Na Ngan and Phay Khat to the glorious Dien Bien Phu campaign that shook the world, completely defeating the invading French colonialists and leading the North towards building socialism. From the opening battle of Buon Ma Thuot to the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign that completely liberated the South and unified the country, the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army in general, and the armed forces of Military Region 2 and Son La province in particular, overcame all difficulties and hardships, and with ingenuity and creativity, achieved many great victories. The footprints of the Army's officers and soldiers have been deeply imprinted across the battlefields of Northwest Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and Southern Vietnam, as well as in the friendly lands of Laos and Cambodia, writing golden pages of national tradition and making their mark in world history with the most glorious chapters.

Leaders of the Military Commands of the provinces of neighboring Laos attended the meeting.

During the period of renovation and accelerated industrialization and modernization of the country, the Vietnam People's Army has done a good job advising the Party and the State on building a national defense system, a people's war strategy, and a solid defense zone. It has continuously improved its overall quality and combat strength, built a firm political stance, maintained ideological stability, proactively and effectively countered the "peaceful evolution" strategy and subversive riots of imperialism, maintained political stability, and successfully fulfilled the task of protecting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the new situation.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee delivered a speech at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized the immense role of the Vietnam People's Army in the struggle for national liberation, the defense of the Fatherland, and the building of the country. He also expressed deep gratitude to the generations of officers and soldiers who have dedicated and sacrificed themselves for the independence and freedom of the nation.

The comrade suggested that the provincial armed forces continue to promote widespread dissemination of the glorious 80-year history of building, fighting, maturing, and developing the Vietnam People's Army; and the position and significance of the National Defense Day. Focus on building a strong Provincial Military Party Committee in terms of politics, ideology, organization, ethics, and personnel; continuously improve the leadership capacity and combat strength of party organizations and party members. Organize the "Determined to Win" emulation movement effectively, linked with the implementation of "Promoting the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style" and the "Promoting traditions, contributing talents, and living up to the name of Uncle Ho's soldiers" campaign…

Provincial leaders presented gifts to the delegates.

On this occasion, the Provincial People's Committee presented 500 gifts to the leaders of the Military Command of the four provinces of Laos and the delegates attending the meeting.

Vu Tuan