A meeting was held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 20 to mark the 65th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22).

Addressing the event, Le Thanh Hai, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, reviewed the army’s courageous exploits and times of valour during the past struggle for national liberation and unification, as well as its contributions to national construction and defence.

He noted that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam over the past 65 years, the army has grown constantly, overcome numerous difficulties, liberated and reunified the nation, and stalwartly defended the fruits of the revolution.

He said the army has maintained political security and social order and joined hands with the entire population to successfully implement the Doi Moi (Renewal) process initiated and led by the Party.

Upholding the army’s glorious traditions, Mr Hai said the city’s armed forces vow to train regularly, increase their combative spirit and establish close links between national defence and people’s security to lay a firm foundation for prosperous development in both the city and the country.

Lieutenant General Le Thanh Tam, president of the HCM City War Veterans Association, affirmed that the veterans remain a key political force in the community and they will do their utmost to help younger generations understand the heroic tradition of the Vietnam People’s Army.