To commemorate the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2026), on the morning of May 19, at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Room of the 5th Naval Region Command (Phu Quoc Special Zone, An Giang Province), a delegation from the Navy, led by Vice Admiral Nguyen An Phong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Navy, held a ceremony to offer incense in remembrance of President Ho Chi Minh.
Vice Admiral Nguyen An Phong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Navy, offers incense in commemoration of President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Navy Command.
In a solemn atmosphere, the delegation respectfully offered flowers and incense to express their profound respect and boundless gratitude for the immense contributions of President Ho Chi Minh - the brilliant leader of the Vietnamese revolution, the national liberation hero, a world cultural figure, the beloved father of the Vietnamese People's Armed Forces, and to recall the special affection that Uncle Ho had for the Navy.
Throughout his revolutionary career, President Ho Chi Minh visited and worked with the Navy three times. Each visit marked a significant milestone, demonstrating his deep concern and strategic direction for the development of the Navy in the cause of protecting the sacred sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.
The first time was in 1959.
Two months after the Coastal Defense Department was transformed into the Naval Department, on March 30 and 31, 1959, President Ho Chi Minh personally visited the Naval troops at the Naval Training School and several islands in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong for the first time.
During the visit, Uncle Ho affectionately inquired about and showed concern for each officer and soldier. He "shared sticky rice and roasted meat brought from Hanoi for the comrades on duty on the ship"; he "poured water and distributed candy to each officer and soldier"; "Knowing that the soldiers on the island lacked fresh water and books, Uncle Ho instructed the officer from the General Department of Logistics who accompanied him to research and ensure that the soldiers could bathe twice a week with fresh water and promised to send a radio receiver to the officers and soldiers on the island."
President Ho Chi Minh and Comrade Nguyen Luong Bang on Navy Ship 524 on March 31, 1959 (President Ho Chi Minh's first visit to the Navy). Photo: Navy Command.
Besides showing concern, Uncle Ho also kindly instructed, reminded, and entrusted the Navy with great responsibilities: “Sailors must love the sea; having ships, they must diligently study technical skills to use the ships well and fight effectively”; “Officers and soldiers must strive to overcome difficulties, endure hardships, be at ease with their duties, actively study military, political, and cultural subjects, and increase production to improve their living conditions.” In particular, after visiting the workplace, rest areas, kitchen, and training grounds of the Naval Training School, and speaking with the teachers and students, Uncle Ho instructed: “You must constantly strive to improve yourselves and contribute to the rapid growth of the Navy.”
The second time was in 1961.
On March 16, 1961, President Ho Chi Minh visited Ha Long Bay and a naval unit. Speaking to naval officers and soldiers, he instructed: “ Our coastline holds a very important strategic position. Therefore, the tasks of the navy, both in the short and long term, are very arduous but also very glorious. We must know how to fight in a way that suits our people, the terrain of our coastline, and the weapons and equipment we possess. Our navy must learn from modern combat experience, but we must not forget the ancient traditions of our ancestors in fighting invaders .”
President Ho Chi Minh and a delegation of Chinese naval officers visited Hai Phong port during a visit to the Naval Command on March 15, 1961 (President Ho Chi Minh's second visit to the Naval Command). Photo source: Naval Command.
These teachings reflect a far-sighted vision regarding the strategic role of the sea and islands in the cause of national defense, especially when the country was still divided. Uncle Ho's emphasis on adapting tactics to the conditions of our people, terrain, and weapons clearly demonstrates the flexible military thinking of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, adhering closely to reality, using weakness to overcome strength, and small forces to defeat large ones. At the same time, Uncle Ho reminded naval officers and soldiers to learn from modern combat experience but not to forget the glorious tradition of fighting foreign invaders passed down from their ancestors. This is a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition, of innovation and identity, forming the foundation for the sustainable growth of the Vietnam People's Navy in its journey to protect the sacred sovereignty of the nation's sea and islands.
The third time in 1962
The third time President Ho Chi Minh visited the Navy was on November 13, 1962. He visited the 135th Regiment at Van Hoa Island, Quang Ninh (now the 135th Squadron, 170th Brigade, Region 1 of the Navy). There, he told the naval officers and soldiers about the famous General Tran Khanh Du of the Tran Dynasty who used a stratagem to seize the supply ships of the Yuan army invading our country. He instructed them: “As naval soldiers, you must cherish the islands as your own homes, diligently transforming and developing them into rich, beautiful, and beneficial land for yourselves and for the country.” His teachings inspired patriotism and love for their homeland among the soldiers, fostering a spirit of protecting the sea and islands as if protecting their own homes.
President Ho Chi Minh visits the 135th Naval Regiment - Van Hoa Island on November 13, 1962 (President Ho Chi Minh's third visit to the Navy). Photo source: Navy Command.
The Vietnam People's Navy will forever remember President Ho Chi Minh's teachings.
Bearing in mind President Ho Chi Minh's teachings, over 71 years of building, fighting, and maturing, generations of officers and soldiers of the Navy have bravely overcome all difficulties and fierce hardships, achieving many outstanding victories, some of which have gone down in the nation's history as legendary pages.
During the heroic and indomitable resistance war against the US, the Navy closely coordinated with other forces, bravely fighting to repel the destroyer USS Maddox and the US strategic air attack, achieving victory in the first battles on August 2nd and 5th, 1964; together with the people and army of North Vietnam, they defeated two escalating wars of destruction waged by the US Air Force and Navy; they were the first and core force in clearing thousands of mines and magnetic bombs on the rivers and seas of North Vietnam; they created unique and daring naval commando tactics, fighting behind enemy lines in the Cua Viet - Dong Ha battlefield and a unique transportation method, creating the legendary sea route named after President Ho Chi Minh, providing support to the battlefield in the South; they closely coordinated with other forces to liberate island and port lines and swiftly, boldly, and unexpectedly attacked and liberated the Truong Sa archipelago, contributing to the great and complete victory of the nation. He successfully completed his noble international mission in Cambodia and assisted the Laotian army.
Submarine sailors actively study, learn, and follow President Ho Chi Minh's teachings. Photo: Naval Headquarters.
Throughout their careers in building and defending the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands, facing countless challenges and hardships, especially in the face of extremely complex developments at sea, naval officers and soldiers have always stood firm at the forefront, firmly grasping the situation, promptly advising and proposing to the Party, State, Central Military Commission, and Ministry of National Defense to handle situations effectively and promptly, ensuring the correct policies, preventing any unexpected surprises, and firmly protecting the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.
Effectively implementing the program "The Vietnamese Navy as a support for fishermen to venture out to sea and maintain their livelihoods" and the "Navy sponsoring fishermen's children" activities; combining civilian outreach with propaganda and mobilization of fishermen to refrain from illegal fishing; actively participating in disaster prevention and mitigation, search and rescue operations, and protecting the lives and property of the people... Through these efforts, the solidarity between the military and the people is strengthened, contributing to consolidating and enhancing the all-people national defense posture and the "people's hearts and minds" at sea, linking sustainable marine economic development with the firm protection of the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.
Following Uncle Ho's teachings, "In the past, we only had night and forests. Today, we have day, sky, and sea. Our coastline is long and beautiful; we must know how to preserve it," before his sacred spirit, naval officers and soldiers pledge to always be absolutely loyal to the Party, the Fatherland, and the People; steadfast in Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and the goals and ideals of the Party; diligently study, train, and cultivate themselves in all aspects; focus on building strong and comprehensive agencies and units, and exemplary, clean, and strong Party organizations, contributing to building a "lean, efficient, and strong" Navy, revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern, excellently fulfilling the tasks entrusted by the Party, the State, and the People, worthy of the trust and love of the Party and beloved Uncle Ho; achieving many new victories, accomplishments, and heights, continuing to write the glorious history of the Army and the Navy, which has been awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces three times.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/can-bo-chien-si-hai-quan-nho-bac-457298.html
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