Minister of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang, announced that Vietnam will invite military delegations from friendly countries to participate in the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2.

The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense hosted an event this evening celebrating the 100th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day.

During the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang reflected on the legacy of revolutionary journalism in Vietnam, especially within the military.

“For us, in wartime it was about guns, bullets, and defeating the enemy. For our comrades in journalism, it was about cameras, video recorders, pens, and brushes - charging forward just the same,” he said, emphasizing the press’s vital role as a “special combat arm” in Vietnam’s wars of resistance.

According to the Minister, the media has extensively covered the dedication of military personnel, militia, and self-defense forces in rehearsals and performances during national events like the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory and the 50th anniversary of national reunification. These stories have helped elevate the image and prestige of the People’s Army, promoting the noble qualities and enduring spirit of Uncle Ho’s soldiers.

He recalled the powerful imagery of Vietnam’s military marching for the first time on Moscow’s Red Square and Vietnamese troops singing “Katyusha,” or foreign military personnel singing “Nhu Co Bac Trong Ngay Dai Thang” during the 50th Reunification Day parade in Ho Chi Minh City. These moments of camaraderie, he said, were brought vividly to life by the press.

As the country prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, which also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, General Giang revealed that select foreign military units will be invited to join the parade. While limited in number, their participation will underscore Vietnam’s international respect and global admiration.

For the first time, the parade will feature maritime forces, including the Navy, Coast Guard, Fisheries Surveillance Force, and Naval Air Force.

General Giang expressed hope that the media would continue conveying Vietnam’s steadfast message of an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, and its “Four No’s” defense principle. This includes building a modern military capable of safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and the lives of its people.

Defense economic units are focused on political missions, standing with the people to protect borders and territorial integrity. In defense industry, the emphasis is on “self-reliance, autonomy, dual-use, and modernization” as Vietnam builds a streamlined and powerful military.

From 2025, Vietnam aims to construct a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern military, bypassing the step-by-step roadmap outlined for 2030 by the 13th Party Congress.

Explaining this acceleration, General Phan Van Giang stated: “We now have all the foundational conditions to move directly into modernization.”

Tran Thuong