Phuc made his statement while receiving veterans, who tookpart in the historical trail, and representatives of the Vietnam People’s Navyin Hanoi on October 19. The gathering was to mark the 60th anniversary of HoChi Minh Trail at Sea.
The State leader affirmed that the opening of the traildemonstrated the strategic vision, creativity, wisdom and ingenuity of theParty and President Ho Chi Minh, making an important contribution to improvingthe nation’s combat capacity and creating a new development step for theSouthern revolution at the time.
Phuc noted the sea is not only a living space but also a sacredterritory of the nation.
He also emphasised the need to continue to fully protect Vietnam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands in all situations; maintain an environment of peace and stability at sea for national development; and settledisagreements and disputes by peaceful means in line with the Party andState's policy and stance, and Vietnamese law and international law,especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The President wished each veteran to continue promoting thetradition and being an example of revolutionary heroism, courage, iron will,and relentless efforts to build the country toward prosperity.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea was set up on October 23, 1961 to help with the transportation of weapons from the North to aid the southern liberation army.
During the resistance war against the US imperialists, the route was considered a “true legend” and a miracle of the Vietnamese nation, contributing to the 1975 spring victory./.