68th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army

Today 22/12/2012 marks the 68th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) ( The letters in the left-corner contain the mean "Victory"

We have the honor to introduce The VPA and the process of its founding, fighting, building and growing up
Following the instructions from President Ho Chi Minh – the founder and the leader the Vietnam Communist Party, the venerated leader of the Vietnamese people and the beloved father of the Vietnamese Armed Forces, on December 22, 1944, in the Viet Bac war zone, Vo Nguyen Giap organized the first regular army - the Vietnamese Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army- the predecessor of the present-day Vietnam People's Army. That is the founding day of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA)

The VPA was originally established in December 1944 with only 34 soldiers, into a force of more than 1 million troops by 1975. It achieved numerous victories during the resistance wars against French colonialists and US imperialists. 

For the past 68 years since its establishment (December 22, 1944 – December 22, 2012), under the clear-sighted leadership of the Vietnam Communist Party (Marxist - Leninist ) and President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnam People’s Army, having the love and protection from the people and enjoying the assistance from the people and the armed forces of the countries of the world that love peace, independence and freedom, has brought into full play the patriotic traditions of the nation, fought persistently and valiantly, and together with the entire people, carried out a long and protracted war of resistance, defeated wars of aggression’ gained back, independence and freedom, and defended the socialist Motherland.

In 1954 , The VPA won the internationally significant victory at the battle of Dien Bien Phu - the first time that the army of an Asian colonial country defeated the troops of a powerful European country. The victory put a stop to the French occupation of Vietnam which had lasted for more than 80 years.
From 1956-1975, with Vietnamese party and people, VPA carried its war of resistance against the US imperialists, which culminated in the great victory of Spring 1975.
Then, The VPA were forced to fight other foreign invaders, Chinese expansionist rulers and the PonPot puppet, overcome the difficulties and challenges to protection of every inch of national territory.
Those great victories provides fresh impetus for VietNam to steadily advance to socialism and successfully realise the goal of a powerful nation living in an equal, democratic and civilized society.

The Vietnam People’s Army, which bears the nature of the working class and the profound characteristics of the nation and the people, is an army that is from the people, by the people and for the people. The targets of fighting of the Vietnam People’s Army are for the freedom and independence of the Motherland, for socialism and for the happiness of the people. 

Today, in the process of industrialization and modernization of the country, the Vietnam People’s Army is promoting its key role in reinforcing, and building a strong all-people’s national defense. The Army is closely associated with the people in remote areas to eradicate hunger, alleviate poverty and overcome the consequences brought about by natural disasters, raising the standard of their material and spiritual life and fulfilling the international duties. The Vietnam People’s Army, together with the entire Party and people, maintains the political stability, ensures the sustainable working life of the people, and builds the country into a rich people, a strong nation and an equitable, democratic and civilized society.

The Vietnam People’s Army is increasingly expanding its friendly and cooperative relations with the armed forces and the people of other countries in the world on the basis of respecting mutual sovereignty and interests, and for peace, stability and development. 

The VPA is a politic army having been contributing to world peace by own its strength.
The Vietnam People’s Army has had the honour of being called by the Vietnamese people as the Heroic Army and “Uncle Ho’s Army” (Uncle Ho is the informal name of President Ho Chi Minh). It has been awarded by the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam four Gold Star Medals-Vietnam’s most noble medals.

Source: FB - Socialist VIETNAMs View