Various activities mark 75th anniversary of Vietnam People’s Army

An art programme, themed “Forever shining traditions of Uncle Ho’s soldiers,” took place on the campus of the Ho Chi Minh City High Command on Saturday night with unique musical and dance pieces.

The elaborately staged performances replicated the memorable and heroic historical milestones of the Vietnamese people and army in the past struggle for national independence through different periods.

* The Ministry of Defence held a ceremony on December 21 to honour the army’s trainers and athletes who obtained outstanding results at the recent 30th SEA Games in the Philippines. Accordingly, the athletes from the army brought home 14 gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals for the Vietnam sports delegation. In particular, swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien was the most impressive performer with a collection of six individual golds and two silvers. Meanwhile, young swimmer Tran Hung Nguyen also grabbed two golds and one bronze, and broke the SEA Games record in the men’s 400m individual medley.

At the ceremony, Minister of Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich presented certificates of merit to the trainers and athletes. On the occasion, military-run telecom group Viettel awarded a gift of VND20 million to each member of the army sports delegation at the 30th SEA Games.

* On the morning of December 21, Phu Yen province held a ceremony to celebrate the 30th All People’s Defence Festival and the 75th anniversary of the VPA.

Authorised by the State President, the Chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee bestowed the Vietnamese Heroic Mother title upon 10 local mothers who made significant and brave efforts towards the cause of national liberation, construction and protection. In addition, an individual was presented with the National Protection Order, second class, while another 13 individuals who perform outstandingly in combat training and building the people’s army forces received the third-class National Protection Order.

* On the same day, the Border Guard Command of Soc Trang province inaugurated and handed over four great unity houses, worth over VND60 million each, to disadvantaged households in Vinh Hai and Lac Hoa communes in Vinh Chau town.

* On December 20, the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba held a ceremony in Havana to mark the 30th All People’s Defence Festival and the 75th anniversary of the VPA, and introduce the 2019 White Paper on Vietnam National Defence to participants.

Delegates highlighted the deep, comprehensive and reliable relations and cooperation between the VPA and the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces – one of the most vivid and clearest manifestations of the pure, exemplary and faithful relationship between the two nations which was founded by President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, and has since been nurtured by generations of leaders of the two countries.