Vietnam People’s Army turns 80: celebrations in Cuba, Brussels

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Defence Attaché Col. Bui Xuan Phong highlighted the historical significance of the VPA establishment and the festival, as well as the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the Vietnamese and Cuban Parties, States, armies and people.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long elaborated on the pivotal decision by the Vietnamese Party and State to designate December 22, 1989 as the All-People's Defence Day. This decision, he noted, not only continues the tradition of defending the nation but also reaffirms the Vietnamese Party’s stance that the entire population must be involved in building and safeguarding the country, with the army serving as the core force.

He reiterated Vietnam's steadfast commitment to its "Four No's" defence policy: no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases or use of Vietnamese territory against other countries, and no use of force or threat of force in international relations.

Vietnam remains a steadfast friend and comrade, with its people and army consistently united, supportive and cooperative, standing side by side with the just revolutionary cause of the Cuban people, he said.

Delegates revisited the past by watching historical documentary footage of the Vietnamese struggle for national liberation and reunification.

A similar ceremony was also held in Brussels on December 12 by the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium, the Vietnamese Delegation to the European Union (EU) and the Vietnam Defence Attaché Office in Belgium and the EU.

On the occasion, the opening of the office was also celebrated, marking a new step in the development of Vietnam's defence relations with its partners while also paving the way for deeper and more sustainable cooperation.