Addressing the congress, the President of the Association, Nguyen Anh Lien, said that over the past five years, the organization has made a great effort to help the former comrades-in-arms enjoy social benefits.

In its next term (2009-2014), the association, which now has a membership of 350,000, will continue to support its members in overcoming hunger and poverty, and improving their living standards, Mr Lien said.

Meanwhile, State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan urged the association to continue improving its role as a reliable source of support for its members, educating the younger generations on history and revolutionary traditions, and serving as a consultant for the Party and State.

Ms Doan presented the Armed Forces Hero title to the General Unit of Young Volunteers for Liberating South Vietnam and the Second Class Labour Order to the Association of the Former Young Volunteers for its outstanding deeds in building socialism and safeguarding the fatherland.