The General Secretary stated that looking back over the past 50 years, we are even more proud and appreciative of the feats and achievements of previous generations.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), continuing activities in Ho Chi Minh City, on the afternoon of April 21, General Secretary To Lam, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, met with representatives of generals, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, spies, Saigon commandos, guerrillas, former youth volunteers, and frontline laborers who participated in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

Also attending were Politburo members, Party Central Committee Secretaries: Phan Dinh Trac, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission; Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission; Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Head of the Central Inspection Commission; Politburo members: General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense; General Luong Tam Quang, Secretary of the Central Public Security Party Committee, Minister of Public Security; Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; former Politburo members, former Deputy Secretaries of the Central Military Commission, former Ministers of National Defense: General Pham Van Tra, General Ngo Xuan Lich; Party Central Committee Secretaries, Party Central Committee members, leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, leaders of central departments, ministries, branches, leaders of functional agencies under the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, etc.

Protecting the Fatherland "early, from afar"

In the jubilant atmosphere of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day, General Secretary To Lam expressed his joy and respectfully sent his best regards and congratulations to the comrades, generals, heroes of the People's Armed Forces, and those who directly participated in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

The General Secretary emphasized that the victory of April 30, 1975 was not only a victory of indomitable will and the strength of great national unity under the leadership of the Party, but also a symbol of the aspiration for national independence, freedom and peace. It was the crystallization of the blood and heroic sacrifices of millions of compatriots and soldiers across the country.

Today's and future generations always appreciate, are grateful and proud because in the common achievements of the country, there are always contributions and dedications of comrades, generals, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces participating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, especially the great sacrifices of cadres, soldiers and people of all walks of life who made the country resound with triumph, survive and develop.

The General Secretary stated that looking back over the past 50 years, we are even more proud of and appreciate the feats and achievements of previous generations; we are even more deeply imbued with the incomparable precious value of independence and freedom for the nation, the happiness of the people; the value of peace, unity and development of the country.

More confident in the cause of national renovation and construction, more confident in the strength from the historical roots of the Vietnamese people to lead our country steadily towards socialism in the era of national growth.

That is the will and aspiration of our entire Party, people and army; it is the responsibility of today's generation towards our ancestors and future generations.

At the meeting, informing the delegates about some main directions of the Party and the People's Army in the coming time, the General Secretary clearly stated that the task of maintaining peace, stability, security and order for development is also our strategic issue.

With the rapid, strong, and unpredictable movements of the world and regional situation as it is today, we are required to be clear-headed, decisive, steadfast, and calm in handling all situations, both geopolitical and geo-economic.

To maintain national sovereignty, independence and autonomy, the task of enhancing national defense and security potential must never be neglected. The People's Army and the People's Police must be cared for to have enough strength to fight and win every war, must be the support of the people, must truly be a fighting army, a working army and a productive labor army.

In the field of national defense, promoting the spirit of the great victory of Spring 1975, the People's Army has strived to excellently fulfill the task of firmly protecting the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland and national interests; national defense and security potential has been consolidated and enhanced in many aspects.

Building a national defense posture associated with a people's security posture and a solid people's hearts posture. The People's Army and People's Police forces are built to be revolutionary, disciplined, elite, gradually modernized, politically strong, and are the core forces to protect the Fatherland "early on, from afar."

Have appropriate countermeasures and solutions, promptly and effectively handle situations, avoid being passive or surprised, maintain independence, a peaceful and stable environment to build and develop the country.

The Army Party Congress must be truly exemplary and representative.

The General Secretary said that with the spirit of urgency, seriousness, science, caution, and certainty, the functional agencies of the Ministry of National Defense are continuing to review the Project on organizing local military forces "refined, compact, and strong" to meet the requirements of tasks in the new situation, reporting to the Central Military Commission to submit to the Politburo and the Secretariat for consideration and decision.

The General Secretary emphasized a number of issues such as: Researching and proposing not to organize district-level military agencies and merging provincial-level military agencies and Border Guards; reviewing military agencies in administrative units in border areas and key defense areas; directing the construction of military defense areas in accordance with the two-level local government organization model; organizing and building militia and self-defense forces in administrative units to be rearranged, reorganized, and synchronized with the system of local military agencies at all levels.

Maintain and strengthen the Party's absolute and direct leadership in all aspects over the Vietnam People's Army; promote the strength of the entire political system in the process of implementing the adjustment of the organization of two-level local military agencies in accordance with their functions, tasks, weapons, equipment and techniques.

Building a strong, compact and elite Army with a balanced and reasonable organizational structure and number of troops among the force components, suitable to the requirements and tasks of protecting the Fatherland in the new situation; ensuring that the Army has enough strength to defeat all enemies in all forms of war.

The General Secretary shared that the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense have actively implemented the Resolution of the 13th Central Committee on the Strategy for National Defense in the new situation; strengthened leadership and direction of the entire army to maintain and improve combat readiness, ensuring victory in all situations; led the implementation of Resolution No. 05 of the Politburo on the organization of military forces until 2030 and the following years; continued to promote the core role of the Army in building all-people national defense, civil defense, building a "people's heart posture," firmly protecting the airspace, sea, border, inland, and cyberspace.

Actively participate in building a strong local political base; proactively implement all plans and be the core in preventing and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, searching and rescuing, developing the socio-economy in conjunction with strengthening national defense and security, building new rural areas, and sustainably reducing poverty in strategic areas, remote areas, border areas, and islands.

The General Secretary emphasized actively innovating to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of building a politically strong Army; further improving the effectiveness of international integration and defense diplomacy in accordance with the spirit of the Politburo's Conclusion on international integration and defense diplomacy until 2030 and the following years.

Enhance bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation, create intertwined interests, and strengthen strategic trust with partners, especially neighboring countries, major countries, and traditional friends.

Continue to maintain, integrate deeply and improve the effectiveness of foreign affairs in a number of areas, including United Nations peacekeeping activities, contributing to raising Vietnam's international position and prestige; complete quality work in logistics, finance, planning and investment, national defense economics, associated with promoting thrift practice, preventing and combating corruption, negativity, and waste...

The General Secretary noted that the Central Military Commission must pay special attention to leading the building of a clean, strong, exemplary and representative Party organization in the Army; carefully prepare all aspects, especially documents and personnel, well organize party congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term and the 12th Party Congress of the Army - the Party Congress of the Army must truly be a model and representative Congress.

Closely combine planning and perfecting the team of key officials with perfecting the team of Party committee members for Party congresses at all levels.

The General Secretary said that after three reorganizations since 2018, the People's Public Security force has been significantly streamlined and operates effectively and efficiently. Currently, the Ministry of Public Security does not organize district-level police, but has taken on a number of new tasks, especially the policy of bringing police to communes, which has been supported by the people.

In addition to the task of ensuring political security and social order and safety, the Ministry of Public Security has also made many contributions to the task of strategic advisory and socio-economic development, maintaining peace and safety for the lives of each citizen. The People's Army and the People's Police are increasingly closely linked, like brothers in one family, a solid support for the people.

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam respectfully presented gifts to delegates attending the meeting./.