Present at the ceremony were also former Party General Le Kha Phieu, former State President Tran Duc Luong, former Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Van An, Head of the Party Central Committee for Mass Mobilisation Ha Thi Khiet and many other Party and State leaders.

In his speech, Lieutenant General Tran Hanh, VWVA Chairman reviewed the outstanding 20 year- recorded achievements since its establishment in 1989.

The association has now more than 2.5 million members taking part in 160,000 association’s chapters.

On behalf of the Party and State, Party leader Manh praised the significant contributions made by the association to the country’s renovation process especially to building and safeguarding the Party, the administration and the socialism regime.

Mr Manh called on the association to enhance war veterans’ movements by boosting socio- economic development, reducing poverty and actively taking part in charitable activities and increasing international cooperation.

He also asked the Party organisations, administrations and fatherland fronts at all levels to create the best possible conditions for the association to fulfill its tasks in the new period towards the goal of rich people, a strong nation and a just, democratic and civilized society.

On the occasion, General Le Van Dung presented the Independence Order, first class to the VWVA.