Freshly elected Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent best wishes to army units during his New Year visit to the Defence Ministry headquarters on January 30.

Trong, who is also National Assembly Chairman and Secretary of the Central Military Party Committee, sent warm sentiments and wishes for a Happy New Year to the entire army, “who stay alert to safeguard the national airspace, land territory, the sea, islands and borders for national peace and people’s happy lives”.

He also hailed the ministry for helping officers and soldiers across the country celebrate the nation’s biggest holiday.

“These preparations are of great significance for soldiers on duty on frontline islands and remote border areas,” said the Party leader.

In this regard, Trong was assured by Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh, who is a Party Politburo member, of the stability along borderlines, on islands and in other important areas.

The defence minister also pledged that the entire army would remain ready to promptly respond to any situation even while celebrating Tet.

The ministry has shipped supplies, including foods and other necessities for Tet to the Truong Sa archipelago, for armies and ordinary people there to celebrate the lunar New Year festival in full.

The ministry has also sent delegations to visit and present gifts for families of fallen soldiers and war invalids and sanatoriums caring for war invalids, while shipping supplies to army units in disadvantaged regions.

On the day, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended a meeting at the Party Central Committee Office with the participation of former Party General Secretaries Do Muoi, Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh./.