Addressing a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of the armed forces of Military Region 9 (December 10, 1945 – 2025) on December 8 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, the Party chief stated that in the current era of development which gives new challenges and missions, it is crucial to boost soldiers’ scientific and technological proficiency, focusing on realistic training, rigorous exercises, and practical scenarios to ensure combat readiness and victory in all situations.

He underscored the need to consistently carry out effective mass mobilisation work, strengthen the close bonds between the military and the people, and build a solid “people’s defence posture,” tightly link national defence and security tasks with socio-economic development, effectively implement economic – defence projects in the region, ensure the sound policy work, and actively contribute to social welfare activities.

The Military Region 9 forces were requested to remain proactive and ready to assist local residents in preventing and overcoming natural disasters and epidemics, serving as a trusted support for the people on this front — truly embodying the roles of a fighting force, a working force, and a production force of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).

To effectively fulfill its role as a campaign- and strategic-level unit of the Ministry of National Defence in the key southwestern region, the Party leader asked for continued thorough implementation of the Party’s military and defence policies, especially the national defence strategy in the new context and breakthroughs identified in the resolution of the Military Region 9’s 11th Party Congress and the VPA’s 12th Party Congress, and those issued by the Politburo in 2025, along with action programmes suited to its military and defence duties.

He called for building a strong Party organisation in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organisation and personnel; and further promoting the studying and following of President Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and lifestyle.

The Military Region 9 armed forces must concentrate on building and strengthening a strong all-people national defence posture closely linked with the people’s security posture to establish solid defensive zones, towards proactively thwarting all hostile plots, and maintaining peace and stability in the region and the country's sovereignty, he said.

Attention must be paid to effectively carrying out defence diplomacy with Cambodia and its royal armed forces; coordinating closely with units of the Ministry of National Defence in defence diplomacy, especially with ASEAN countries; grasping relevant situations; proactively providing strategic advice and handling border, sea and island issues; and resolutely counter all schemes aimed at undermining or disrupting Vietnam’s relations with Cambodia and other ASEAN nations, he said.

The General Secretary expressed his confidence that, guided by the Party, the State, and directly by the Central Military Commission and Ministry of National Defence, all leaders, officers, soldiers, and personnel of the Military Region 9 will continue to develop, accomplish their missions with excellence, and fully deserve the trust and expectations of the Party, State, and people.

On this occasion, the Party chief, who is also Secretary of the Central Military Commission, presented the “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” title to the Military Region 9 armed forces in recognition of its significant contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party, State, and people.

Earlier the same day, Party General Secretary To Lam and the working delegation offered incense and flowers at the Victory Monument, the monument to heroes and martyrs, and the memorial site to honour President Ho Chi Minh in Can Tho city.

Military urged to be core force in national defence and development

VOV.VN - The Vietnam People’s Army serves not only as a core force in national defence but also as a leading entity in building a peaceful, prosperous, and civilised nation, said Party General Secretary To Lam at the 12th Congress of the Army’s Party Organisation.