Vietnam holds grand ceremony marking 80 years of its army today
VOV.VN - A grand ceremony was solemnly held at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi on December 20 to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 – 2024) and the 35th Anniversary of All-People National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 – 2024).
The ceremony was attended by leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, and Army, revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, military generals of generations, and other distinguished guests.
A highlight of the ceremony was a 30-minute epic art programme featuring exceptional musical and dance performances that encapsulated the history of the army’s establishment, battles, and victories. The programme also emphasizes the army’s crucial role in the cause of national construction and defense.
The grand ceremony was held by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the President, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense.
The event was broadcast live on the national radio and television systems.
The army was founded on December 22, 1944, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, tasked with safeguarding the nation’s independence, freedom, and territorial integrity. The army achieved numerous legendary triumphs, such as the victory of the August 1945 Revolution, of the 1945 Dien Bien Phu campaign over French colonialism, and of the 1975 Ho Chi Minh Campaign over American imperialism, significantly contributing to national liberation and reunification.
In peacetime, the army has actively engaged in socio-economic development, assisting in building infrastructure, promoting rural modernization, supporting poverty reduction programmes, and partaking in disaster relief, search-and-rescue operations. Many military units have also participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions, enhancing Vietnam’s international standing.
