80th anniversary of Vietnam People's Army celebrated in Algeria

Close to 200 guests, including representatives from Algeria’s political parties and ministries, ambassadors, defence attachés from nations, members of the Vietnamese expatriate community in Algeria, and employees of the oil and gas joint venture of Groupement Bir Seba (GBRS) joined the event.

In his address, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh hailed the pioneering and central role of the VPA in the country’s past struggle for independence and reunification, and its current process of national construction and defence. He applauded the army’s contributions to peacekeeping, disaster relief, and international cooperation, which show Vietnam’s aspirations for a world of peace and shared prosperity.

The Ambassador underlined the characteristics of Vietnam’s national defence, which is based on all people, peaceful, and self-defence and to actively, proactively, resolutely and perseveringly prevent risks of war. He also reaffirmed the nation’s “Four No’s” defence policy – not engaging in military alliances, not affiliating with one country to oppose another, not allowing foreign countries to establish military bases or use Vietnamese territory to oppose other countries, and not using force or threatening to use force in international relations.

Vietnam’s Defence Attaché to Algeria Colonel Nguyen Hoang Long reviewed the tremendous achievements of the VPA. He noted that in the new era, the army continues to uphold its heroic traditions and increase its capabilities and readiness to fulfill its duties.

December 22 was designated as the day of the All People’s Defence Festival to show the tradition of all people engaging in the fight against enemies to safeguard the country and also to affirm the Communist Party of Vietnam’s viewpoint that all people participate in national construction and defence, with the people’s armed forces serving as the core, Long said.

He highlighted the festival as an opportunity to honour Vietnam’s national traditions, the noble image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers," and to educate the public on patriotism and socialist ideals.

The establishment of the Vietnam Defence Attaché Office in Algeria 20 years ago has been a crucial link in maintaining and developing the historical and friendly relationship between Vietnam and Algeria as well as between the Vietnam People’s Army and the Algerian National People’s Army.

Recent high-level exchanges and training cooperation between the two armies have obtained significant results and promise further growth in the time to come, he added.

On this occasion, the Embassy and Defence Attaché Office of Vietnam in Algeria launched a screening of a film introducing to international friends the formation and development of the VPA as well as displaying photos capturing historical milestones in struggles for national protection in the past, national construction and expanded international cooperation at present.