On the morning of 9/7, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, chaired a meeting with agencies to discuss defense diplomacy activities for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on 2/9.
General Chien stated that inviting the five nations to participate in the parade demonstrates the traditional friendship, solidarity, and close ties between the people and army of Vietnam and these traditional allies. This also affirms Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification, being a friend and reliable partner to all countries.
In addition to the five countries participating in the parade, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense sent invitations to the defense ministries of eight countries: Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan to attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.
To date, the Cuban Ministry of National Defense has responded to the invitation, stating that the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba will attend the celebration in Hanoi. Laos and Cambodia have expressed support for sending troops to participate in the parade.
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Chinese troops participate in a parade rehearsal for the 30/4 celebration in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duc Dong |
Chinese troops participate in a parade rehearsal for the 30/4 celebration in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duc Dong
General Chien also chaired a meeting to discuss the construction of a monument dedicated to soldiers from countries that supported Vietnam during its wars. The monument is planned to be located at the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi.
The monument, honoring military experts from the Soviet Union/Russian Federation, China, Laos, Cambodia, and Cuba, will be made of bronze. The design and construction will be undertaken by the respective countries or by Vietnam based on their requests. A bas-relief made of solid green stone will accompany the monument.
The Department of Propaganda and Training has collaborated with the Vietnam Military History Museum and the Department of Foreign Affairs to invite leading Vietnamese sculptors to research and prepare design drafts for the statues representing the five countries. These drafts will then be submitted to the respective countries for feedback.
General Chien requested that the construction progress be expedited, with the first group of statues completed before 15/8. The entrance and central area where the statues will be displayed should be finished before 10/8.
During the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country in April, the defense ministries of China, Laos, and Cambodia sent over 100 soldiers to participate in a parade in front of the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City.
Son Ha
