Buenos Aires (VNA) - The establishment of the Vietnam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army, the forerunner of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), on December 22, 1944, was a historical inevitability, meeting the development needs of the Vietnamese revolution and marking a turning point in the struggle for national liberation of the Vietnamese people, according to a Brazilian historian.

Journalist and historian Pedro de Oliviera, Secretary-General of the Brazil-Vietnam Friendship Association, granted an interview to a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in South America on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the VPA (December 22, 1944 - 2024) and the 35th anniversary of the All-People Defence Day (December 22, 1989 - 2024).

Oliviera said that with his strategic vision, President Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the VPA, recognised that to successfully achieve the revolutionary cause, it was necessary to organise armed forces. With only 34 soldiers equipped with rudimentary weapons at the beginning, the young army was quickly consolidated in a short time, and then together with the people successfully carried out the August Revolution in 1945.

The journalist, who has spent many years researching President Ho Chi Minh, also highly valued the late leader's thought on all-people defence.

According to him, the historical reality of the Vietnamese people's struggle to build and defend the nation has proven the invincible strength of national unity. It affirms the viewpoint of the Communist Party of Vietnam that the entire people must involve in building and protecting the Fatherland, with the people's armed forces serving as the core.

The 80th founding anniversary celebration is an occasion to honour the profound and significant contributions of the Vietnamese army to the nation’s independence, security, and prosperity, through their heroic victories in defeating the most powerful foreign invaders, he stated, adding that the VPA's resilience, courage, and sacrifices have inspired armed forces worldwide.

Today, the Vietnam People's Army not only contributes to the cause of national building and safeguarding but also actively participates in missions ensuring global security and peace, as well as international cooperation, thus helping strengthen Vietnam's presence and influence on the world arena, Oliviera said.

Since 2014, Vietnam has participated in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions, with approximately 800 officers and soldiers carrying out duties at UN missions.

The historian affirmed that the Vietnam People's Army will always remain a model of heroic combat tradition, resilience, and readiness to sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland./.