Present at the event were high ranking Party, State and Government leaders, foreign diplomatic corps, military attaches, officers and soldiers.

In his speech, State President Truong Tan Sang said over the past 70 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and people’s support, VPA together with all people have achieved great victory in the past struggles for national independence, and national defence and fulfilled international duties.

In the current national construction and development process, the army is the key force safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and peaceful and stable environment for national development. The army have always heightens vigilance to stamp out all violations of border, sea and island sovereignty.

Over the past 70 years, despite confronting many severe challenges, especially revolutionary turning-point, VPA has always demonstrated its revolutionary spirit, serving the people, standing by the people and fighting for the people. It is a special political force, a sharp revolutionary tool and a loyal political force of the Party, State and people.

Reinforcing the Party’s absolute leadership along with increased State management of the army is crucial, closely-linked, and vital to building  a revolutionary, regular, elite, and gradually modern army, Sang asserted.

The country is committed to settle international disputes and differences by peaceful solutions in accordance with international law. However, Vietnam is ready to defend itself and smash all schemes of hostile forces, President Sang concluded.

On the occasion, the Ministry of Defence was fifth time presented with the Gold Star Order- the highest distinction of the Party and State in recognition of its remarkable contributions to the national revolutionary cause.