Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam needs to demonstrate its position of strength in all fields, from politics and economics to society, defence-security and diplomacy, in a bid to safeguard independence and sovereignty for the sake of national prosperity and happiness.

Speaking at a ceremony to launch the new academic year at the National Defence Academy in Hanoi on September 16, the Cabinet leader said Vietnam had overcome a number of challenges in recent years, including the global economic crisis, natural disasters, epidemics and violations of its sovereignty in the East Sea.

In response to these challenges, the country has made progress in socio-economic development, consolidated defence and security efforts, and reinforced external relations, he noted, adding that the people’s armed forces, including the academy, have contributed substantially to these achievements.

Stressing that internal strength is a determinant of national power, PM Dung urged the defence sector to strengthen its armed forces and proactively deal with risks and challenges to national security.

He said as a leading institution for military training and strategic defence research, the academy needs to work harder to improve the quality of teaching and provide a scientific basis for the country’s defence strategy.

He also called upon academy staff to broaden their research and prediction models on hostile forces and acts of hostility and to include response mechanisms.-VNA