On 17/8, the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security held a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the People's Public Security Force and the 20th anniversary of the National Security Protection Day.

The ceremony was attended by General Secretary To Lam, former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, President Luong Cuong, former President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and two former National Assembly Chairpersons Nguyen Sinh Hung and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

General Secretary To Lam said this was an occasion to express deep gratitude for the dedication and glorious traditions of the public security force. On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the General Secretary congratulated the force and pinned the Gold Star Order onto its traditional flag.

General Secretary To Lam pins the Gold Star Order onto the traditional flag of the People's Public Security Force. Photo: Hoang Phong

General Secretary To Lam pins the Gold Star Order onto the traditional flag of the People's Public Security Force. Photo: Hoang Phong

According to the General Secretary, throughout two long and heroic wars of resistance, the public security force, together with the entire nation and army, crushed all sabotage plots and schemes of the enemy. This ensured the security of the home front, political security, social order, and safety. Since the reunification of the country, the public security force has continued to affirm its core and leading role in protecting the nation during peacetime. From the early days, when the revolutionary government was still in its infancy, the public security force became a steel shield protecting the Party, the revolutionary government, and the people's achievements.

80 years is a long enough journey for the public security force to demonstrate its intellectual prowess and outstanding growth. The entire force has persistently and promptly fought against crime, ensured political security and cybersecurity, and thwarted all plots of rebellion and overthrow.

In addition, General Secretary To Lam said there are many moving stories about the people's public security officers. Examples include tense confrontations with forces opposing the revolution and government, and sabotaging the unity between the army and the people; breathtaking pursuits of criminals; countless nights spent poring over files in complex cases of corruption, waste, negativity, and economic crimes; and moments of intellectual combat in cyberspace to protect digital sovereignty and national sovereignty in a globalized world.

General Secretary To Lam at the ceremony. Photo: Hoang Phong

General Secretary To Lam at the ceremony. Photo: Hoang Phong

Behind each victory, according to the General Secretary, lies intelligence, sweat, discipline, will, camaraderie, and humanity. These successes also come at the cost of time spent away from home, enduring sun and rain, unhealed wounds, and families and children silently waiting for their loved ones to return.

In the coming period, the General Secretary said there will be many complex developments in high-tech, transnational crimes, money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other security issues.

The General Secretary requested that every officer thoroughly understand the people-centered approach, prioritizing the interests of the nation, the people, and the country above all else. "Every officer must maintain political resolve, qualities, ethics, lifestyle, working style, and match words with deeds. Ensure every task is completed effectively and practically."

The General Secretary also suggested continuing to build a clean and strong Party Committee within the People's Public Security Force, persistently combating corruption, waste, and negativity within its ranks. The public security sector needs to proactively forecast and assess the situation accurately, detect and handle threats to national security and complex security and order incidents promptly and effectively, avoiding passivity and surprise.

In leadership, the General Secretary requested innovative thinking, reasonable decentralization and delegation of authority, coupled with inspection, supervision, and administrative reform. This will help build a friendly, professional, and modern public security force.

"All of this is to ensure that people can work, study, create, and contribute with peace of mind. Each special case and investigation must be conducted rigorously, upholding the law objectively, without prohibited areas or exceptions, for justice, national honor, and the people's trust," the General Secretary said.

Delegates at the ceremony. Photo: Hoang Phong

Delegates at the ceremony. Photo: Hoang Phong

At the ceremony, Major General Phan Van Lai, Hero of the People's Armed Forces and former Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Public Security, said he is 95 years old, a Party member for 75 years, and has served in the public security force for 76 years. He has lived through two wars and witnessed and contributed to the growth and strength of the public security force.

His generation were pioneers, "ready to sacrifice themselves for the country's freedom, territorial integrity, and the people's independence." Although retired for over 30 years, Major General Lai said he still follows every change and development of the people's public security force. He lives a happy, healthy, and meaningful life to set an example for his descendants and future generations of heroic public security officers.