This morning, the Navy held a ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding and received the Ho Chi Minh Medal.

President Luong Cuong attended and gave a speech. Also attending were Chief of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army - Senior Lieutenant General Trinh Van Quyet, leaders of central and local departments, ministries, branches, generals, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Heroes of Labor...

navy 1 review.jpg
President Luong Cuong reviews the honor guard of the Vietnam People's Navy

Rapidly develop modern forces

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem - Commander of the Navy said that 70 years ago, on May 7, 1955, the Coastal Defense Department - the predecessor of the Vietnam People's Navy was established. From the first units with a limited number of officers and soldiers, the Navy has gradually grown to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

During the resistance war against the US to save the country, the Navy achieved resounding victories, especially the first victory on August 2 and 5, 1964, driving away the destroyer Maddox and shooting down enemy aircraft. The service also fought steadfastly in two air wars of destruction and blockade of the rivers and seas of the North, protecting the country's vital sea route.

The feats of the Navy commandos on the Cua Viet - Dong Ha battlefield, with their daring battles, destroying hundreds of enemy ships, have become a legend in the history of the Vietnamese revolution. The Navy also played an important role in opening a strategic sea transport route - the "Ho Chi Minh Trail on the sea", supporting the southern battlefield.

The peak was in the 1975 Spring Campaign, when the Navy contributed to liberating the Truong Sa archipelago and islands in the Central and Southwestern seas, completing the sacred mission of defending the islands.

After the country's reunification, the Navy continued to fulfill its noble international duty, helping Cambodia escape genocide and assisting Laos in building its naval force.

"In the period of innovation, the Navy quickly developed its forces towards modernization" - Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem affirmed.

In the context of the complicated developments in the East Sea, President Luong Cuong affirmed that the Vietnam People's Navy always maintains political will, grasps the situation, handles flexibly and resolutely protects the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

The President also acknowledged the efforts of the Army in improving combat capacity, mastering modern weapons and equipment, and building a national defense posture at sea.

ah quan 9.jpg
President Luong Cuong presents the Ho Chi Minh Medal to the Vietnam People's Navy.

The President requested the Navy to continue to promote its glorious tradition and thoroughly grasp the Party and State's guidelines and policies on protecting the Fatherland and sovereignty over seas and islands. In particular, the President emphasized the building of a strong, modern, and elite Navy, ready for all situations, while playing a core role in building a national defense and a people's war posture at sea.

The President also directed to strengthen Party building work and expand international cooperation with other navies. He believed that with its 70-year heroic tradition, the Navy would continue to excellently fulfill all assigned tasks, worthy of the trust of the Party, State and People.

According to President Luong Cuong, there is a lot of work this year: the National Assembly will meet until the end of June, mainly reviewing and amending a number of articles of the Constitution, laws and resolutions of the National Assembly; focusing on arranging and organizing the apparatus to be streamlined, effective and efficient.

"I request that comrades in the Party Committee of the Command and units need to thoroughly grasp and have plans to successfully carry out the functions and tasks of the Army, combat, and production under any conditions or circumstances," the President emphasized.

On this occasion, the Vietnam People's Navy was honored to receive the Ho Chi Minh Medal for the third time, recognizing the great contributions of the Navy in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Many foreign newspapers commented that it was "beyond imagination" and "terrifying" when three Vietnamese naval commandos (the youngest was only 17 years old) sank a 15,000-ton enemy oil tanker in 1969 in shark-infested waters.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-xay-dung-hai-quan-tinh-manh-hien-dai-san-sang-moi-tinh-huong-2398503.html