Attending the ceremony were comrades: Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of National Defense ; Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Political Commissar of the Navy... Attending the ceremony were also comrades who were former leaders of the Navy through the periods; generals, heroes of the armed forces, historical witnesses, representatives of generations of veterans who participated in combat and served in combat during this historical period...

At the ceremony to commemorate generations of Navy veterans who directly participated in clearing mines and magnetic bombs of the US imperialists, representatives of agencies, units and generations of Navy officers and soldiers today reviewed the traditional history, honored and expressed gratitude for the great sacrifices and contributions of our army and people; promoted national pride and self-esteem, promoted traditions and lessons learned in history, and contributed to firmly managing and protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland in the new situation.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong emphasized: The victory of the Northern army and people against the US imperialists’ blockade of rivers and seas, in which the Navy was the core, main, and direct force, became a miracle in the resistance war against the US to save the country and one of the typical victories of the Vietnam People’s Navy. It was a victory of the ideology of daring to fight, determined to fight, knowing how to fight and determined to win; it was a victory of intelligence and courage that created many ways to destroy and dismantle to neutralize all types of mines and magnetic bombs that the US imperialists continuously improved and upgraded. It was a victory of the mettle and indomitable will of the Vietnamese people; it was a victory of the combination of primitive and modern techniques, of the close coordination between forces both inside and outside the army.

Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam speaks at the ceremony. Photo: KIM NGOC

During both times of fighting the enemy's blockade, the Navy actively and proactively coordinated closely with many components and forces, creating a widespread anti-blockade formation, destroying more than 13,000 mines and magnetic bombs, smashing the extremely sinister plot and blockade of the US imperialists.

That victory is a testament to the strategic talent in leading the revolutionary war, the people's war policy, the talented leadership of our Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the timely and correct direction of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and directly the Party Committee and the Navy Command. That is the victory of Vietnamese military art in general and the Navy's art of warfare in particular, which has brought into play the combined strength of all forces (main force, local force, militia and self-defense force and the entire people), of the central and local departments, ministries and branches, creating a combined strength to defeat the enemy's extremely vicious blockade war.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong read a speech at the ceremony. Photo: KIM NGOC

History records the feat of fighting blockades with mines and magnetic bombs as a vivid reality, of great historical significance and profound topicality. This is a valuable theoretical and practical basis for the Vietnam People's Navy to continue researching, applying, and developing military art and combat art, ready to defeat all wars of aggression and conflicts at sea, including blockade wars on river and sea battlefields.

Speaking at the ceremony, on behalf of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam highly appreciated and warmly congratulated the achievements and feats of the Navy and the forces directly involved in the fight against the US imperialists who blockaded the rivers and seas of the North with mines and magnetic bombs. At the same time, he emphasized: The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense respectfully express their gratitude to the heroic martyrs, wounded and sick soldiers, martyrs' families, leaders, commanders, officers and soldiers of the units who participated in the battle to achieve this historic feat.

Delegates attending the celebration. Photo: KIM NGOC

Faced with the requirements of the new situation, the Deputy Minister of National Defense requested the Navy to continue promoting its traditions and lessons learned from the victory against the US imperialists' blockade of the rivers and seas of the North, and focus on performing a number of tasks well.

First of all, it is necessary to regularly do well the work of political and ideological education; thoroughly grasp the Party's guidelines and viewpoints on the task of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands; focus on building a politically elite Vietnam People's Navy. Focus on in-depth education on the situation of the task, making each officer and soldier always imbued with the sacred value of each island and sea of the Fatherland. Focus on innovating and improving the quality of training, the level of combat readiness to meet the requirements of the task in the new situation; training closely with the plan to manage and protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands; promote creativity, strive to master modern weapons and technical equipment...

Some art performances at the celebration. Photo: KIM NGOC

Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam also requested the Navy to play a core role in building a solid national defense and people's war posture at sea; proactively coordinate closely with forces and local Party committees and authorities to create a solid defense posture for the coast - sea - islands and defense zones. Actively participate in programs to develop the economy - society of the sea and islands; do better in mass mobilization, propaganda, mobilization, guidance, support, and assistance for fishermen to make a living at sea, prevent natural disasters, and perform rescue operations.

Scene of the celebration. Photo: KIM NGOC

Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam respectfully thanked the coordinating agencies, units, Party committees, authorities and people of localities, especially the coastal provinces and cities and the brave and determined army and people of Hai Phong city for always paying attention, helping, coordinating and creating favorable conditions for the Army units in general and the Vietnam People's Navy in particular to successfully complete all tasks, including fighting against the US imperialists' blockade of rivers and seas in the North.

DUY DONG