Event marking the 80th anniversary of the Vietnamese Army and 35th National Defense Day

On the evening of the 19th, the Defense Attaché Office of Vietnam in South Korea held an event at the Lotte Hotel Seoul to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 35th anniversary of National Defense Day.

The event was attended by officials from South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, Navy, Army, Air Force, and Military Academy, as well as defense attachés from other countries stationed in Korea, defense industry representatives, scholars, and members of South Korean media.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Nguyen Thi Thai Binh, the minister-counselor and deputy chief of mission in South Korea, along with embassy officials, representatives of the Vietnamese community, the Chamber of Commerce, and military students from Vietnam currently studying in South Korea.

In her opening remarks, the Minister of Counselor, Deputy Chief of Mission Nguyen Thi Thai Binh, welcomed everyone celebrating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 35th National Defense Day.

She emphasized, "Over the past 80 years, the Vietnam People’s Army has safeguarded Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, overcoming numerous challenges.

She also highlighted that "the Vietnam People’s Army continues to play a crucial role in defending the nation’s independence and territorial integrity while also making significant contributions to the economy, social activities, disaster response, and epidemic control."

The Vietnam People’s Army has been actively involved in the international community, particularly in United Nations peacekeeping missions, earning high praise from countries around the world and UN leaders.

In the subsequent speech, Colonel Le Hiep Lam expressed gratitude to South Korean Ministry of National Defense officials, defense attachés from other countries, embassy staff, the Vietnamese community in South Korea, and invited guests.

He reflected on the founding, combat history, and development of the Vietnam People’s Army, stressing that it has played a vital role as a trusted military force of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the state, and the people.

He also mentioned that the Vietnam People’s Army has made significant achievements through its active participation in international missions.

Colonel Le Hiep Lam also highlighted the “Four No’s” defense policy and the current state of defense cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea and its progress. He stated, "Following our national foreign policy, we have made notable achievements in defense diplomacy," emphasizing that "defense cooperation with South Korea strengthens our comprehensive relationship and serves as a cornerstone of our partnership."

The “Four No’s” defense policy is a peaceful strategy aimed at maintaining independence and neutrality, which includes principles such as not participating in military alliances, not engaging in confrontations with any country, not allowing foreign military forces to be stationed on Vietnamese territory, and refraining from the use or threat of force in international relations.