President Truong Tan Sang on Jan. 21 applauded the navy forces’ resolve in national defence and maintaining a peaceful environment during his Tet visit to the Navy High Command on Jan. 20.

President Sang said through activities to raise public awareness of sea and island sovereignty, relations between the public and the navy forces have been tightened and Vietnamese navy forces’ prestige in regional forums has been heightened.

He called on the forces to increase training, boost external affairs in national defence and raise their responsibility in protecting sea and island sovereignty.

Navy Commander Admiral Nguyen Van Hien said in 2011, the Vietnamese navy forces effectively performed their tasks of protecting the country’s sea and island sovereignty and rescue at sea.

The Navy High Command also carried out activities to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea, he said./.