Maintaining firmly and intensifying the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over the army is an immutable principle in building the force, Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh has stated.

The minister made the remark at a December 2 workshop on the Vietnamese army in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang where late President Ho Chi Minh founded the Vietnam People’s Army on December 22, 70 years ago.

Participants, who are generals, veterans, professors and history witnesses, recalled the tradition of the army with glorious victories gained and made proposals to build a strong force that can stand firm in any circumstances.

To mark the 70th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 25th All People’s Defence Day (December 22), 70 military and police officers who made great work performances and excelled in learning and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example will be praised at a programme on December 7.

The General Politics Department launched a competition on the two events three months ago and received over 3.7 million entries. Outstanding works will be honoured at an art programme on December 9 in Cao Bang.

More than 500 military officers, young volunteers and history witnesses will take part in a programme from December 8-10, starting from Hanoi to historical relic sites related to the foundation of the army in the northeastern province.

Within the framework of the programme, poor locals will be provided with free eye surgery and treatment, while new houses will be presented to poor policy beneficiaries and young officers.-VNA