Ho Chi Minh City Command was awarded the Third Class Military Exploit Medal.

The Ho Chi Minh City Command was honored to receive the Third Class Military Exploit Order from the President for its "exceptionally outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness, building the People's Army, strengthening national defense, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland".

On September 2, the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh City Armed Forces' tradition day (September 4, 1945 - September 4, 2025) and receive the Third Class Military Exploit Order.

Attending the event were former President Nguyen Minh Triet; former President Truong Tan Sang; former Vice President Truong My Hoa; former Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh; Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang; Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong, Deputy Minister of National Defense ; Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc, along with leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, Military Region 7 and Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City Command 80 years of promoting the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers

On September 4, 1945, at house number 72 La-g-răng-đie-e street (now Ly Tu Trong street, Ho Chi Minh City), patriotic union members set up an altar to the Fatherland and solemnly swore an oath: never to retreat in the face of danger, never to be discouraged by difficulties, and to join the people in protecting the country. That oath marked the birth of the Saigon - Cho Lon - Gia Dinh armed forces, the predecessor of the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces.

Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong, Deputy Minister of National Defense, awarded the Third Class Military Exploit Order to the Ho Chi Minh City Command.

PHOTO: THUY LIEU

After April 30, 1975, the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces entered a new phase, with the task of maintaining order and security and stabilizing people's lives being given top priority. Officers and soldiers of the city's armed forces have steadfastly suppressed crime, reformed society, cleared mines, collected weapons, reclaimed land and overcame the consequences of war.

When the gunshots rang out at the southwestern border, the city's armed forces set out again, joining the army and people of the whole country in fighting to protect the border, while also fulfilling their international duty to help the Cambodian people escape the Pol Pot genocide. For more than 10 years, the city's soldiers have fought and helped their friends build the government and army, and fostered the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship.

During the renovation period, the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces have continuously grown, successfully fulfilling their advisory role to the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and People's Committee on military and defense work; building a solid defense zone; maintaining political security and social order and safety, making an important contribution to the strong, dynamic and creative development of Ho Chi Minh City, a major center of economy, culture, science and education of the whole country.

On July 1, 2025, the Military Command of Binh Duong province, the Military Command of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and the Border Guard officially merged into the common roof of the Ho Chi Minh City Command.

"Merger does not destroy our identity, but makes us richer in tradition, richer in experience, stronger in force, and more steadfast in character. Each unit, each land, each person brings a part of the quintessence, a part of history, a part of the soul to blend together into a new strength. That is the strength of solidarity, of affection, of faith and aspiration," said Colonel Nguyen Thanh Trung, Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Command.

Entering a new phase, the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces must continue to promote the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, be closely attached to the people, take the people as the root, and consolidate the people's hearts and minds, the decisive factor for victory in all circumstances.

On August 22, 2025, President Luong Cuong signed Decision No. 1674/QD-CTN on awarding the Third Class Military Exploit Order to the Ho Chi Minh City Command (Military Region 7, Ministry of National Defense) for its "exceptionally outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness, building the People's Army, strengthening national defense, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland".

Ho Chi Minh City Command received the Third Class Military Exploit Medal

PHOTO: DUY PHU

At the same time, on August 21, 2025, the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee signed Decision No. 792/QD-UBND on awarding the traditional flag to the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces for their "outstanding achievements in building and defending the Fatherland" on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the city's armed forces' traditional day (September 4, 1945 - September 4, 2025).

Building a streamlined, disciplined, modern armed force

In his speech, Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong, Deputy Minister of National Defense, requested the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, People's Committee and Military Region 7 Command to focus on leading and directing the city's armed forces to thoroughly grasp the Party's guidelines and the State's laws and policies on military and national defense, especially the strategy of protecting the Fatherland in the new situation. At the same time, proactively forecast, grasp the situation, and promptly advise to effectively organize the implementation of local military and national defense tasks; build a national defense associated with people's security, consolidate the people's hearts and minds, combine socio-economic development and foreign affairs with national defense and security tasks.

Along with that, it is necessary to take care of building a clean and strong Party organization, promoting the exemplary role of cadres and Party members, linking the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style with patriotic emulation movements. At the same time, building a streamlined, disciplined, elite and modern city armed force; innovating training, applying science and technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation to enhance combat strength, closely coordinating with the police to maintain political security and social order and safety.

Finally, pay attention to military rear policies, care for soldiers' lives, promote mass mobilization work, participate in building new rural areas, prevent natural disasters and epidemics, thereby further enhancing the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the new era.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc presented the traditional flag of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces.

PHOTO: DUY PHU

To maintain the stable development of Ho Chi Minh City, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc emphasized that the Ho Chi Minh City armed forces need to continue to promote the strength of great national unity, firmly adhere to the goals of national independence and socialism, build a national defense associated with people's security and a solid "people's hearts and minds position". At the same time, it is necessary to take advantage of the strength of the times and the support of international friends. Mr. Duoc also requested the city's armed forces to excellently complete all tasks, contributing with the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army to establish new achievements, maintaining the absolute leadership of the Party and the centralized management of the State in the cause of national defense and security.

Besides, it is necessary to build a revolutionary, disciplined, elite and modern people's army; build a strong political base, absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, the State and the people; and firmly uphold the ideals and goals set by the Party.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-tu-lenh-tphcm-duoc-tang-thuong-huan-chuong-quan-cong-hang-ba-185250904163923113.htm