Hanoi (VNA) – The Central MilitaryCommission and the Ministry of National Defence held a grand ceremony in Hanoion December 21 to celebrate the 30th All People’s Defence Festival and the 75thfounding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) (December 22).

Party General Secretary, State President andSecretary of the Central Military Commission Nguyen Phu Trong sent a basket of flowersto congratulate the event.

The ceremony was attended by Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, along withincumbent and former Party and State leaders. It also saw the presence offoreign senior military officials, revolutionary veterans, Vietnamese HeroicMothers, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, and Heroes of Labour.

In his speech, Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich, ViceSecretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence,expressed deep gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh – the “beloved Father” of thepeople’s armed forces, Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap – the “Eldest Brother” of the VPAand an outstanding commander-in-chief, along with historical leaders, nationalheroes, martyrs and people who heroically fought and sacrificed for the sake ofthe country’s independence and freedom, the people’s happiness, and the loftyinternational missions.

He also acknowledged the nationwide people’sjoint efforts to build strong all-people defence, along with the precioussupport from the militaries and people of other countries for the Vietnamesearmy and people in the struggle for national liberation in the past andnational development and safeguarding at present.

The minister noted after 30 years of the AllPeople’s Defence Festival, the national defence has been increasingly enhanced,adding that the combination of economic, cultural and social aspects withdefence and security has been strengthened. Meanwhile, defence diplomacy hasbeen intensified both bilaterally and multilaterally, helping to maintain peaceand security for the country.

Officers and soldiers of the whole army pledgeto be absolutely loyal to the Party, State, people and socialist regime. Theyare determined to successfully perform the army’s functions and forever be aspecial political force, an absolutely loyal combatant force, and the coreforce in joining the people to firmly safeguard the nation, Lich affirmed.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, PMPhuc bestowed a first-class Military Exploit Order upon the VPA and somehigh-ranking officers of the army in recognition of their particularlyexcellent achievements in the VPA building, defence consolidation, andcontributions to socialism building and national protection.

Addressing the ceremony, the PM stressed thatunder the absolute and direct leadership of the Party and President Ho ChiMinh, upholding patriotism and the nation’s military art, and with the supportof the people and international friends, over the last 75 years, the VPA hasjoined hands with the people to obtain great victories in liberating andsafeguarding the nation and fulfilling international missions.

The VPA has continually overcome everydifficulty and challenge while resolutely and persistently fighting to firmlyprotect the country’s sovereignty and territory. It has also taken the lead innatural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue activities, andsettlement of war consequences, while effectively taking part in socio-economicdevelopment, economic-defence zone building, and the construction of thecountry’s strategic works, he said.

Applauding the VPA’s achievements, PM Phucaffirmed that those prominent successes have substantially helped reinforce thegreat national unity bloc and promote defence capability and the all people’sdefence, thus deserving the trust and noble rewards granted by the Party, Stateand people.

Prior to the ceremony, a delegation of theCentral Military Commision and the Ministry of National Defence paid tribute toPresident Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid wreaths at the Monument to WarHeroes and Martyrs./.