The General Secretary demanded that the Navy must be a solid fulcrum for fishermen to venture out to sea, cling to the sea, and build an increasingly solid national defense posture of the entire people and the “posture of people’s hearts” at sea.

On the morning of February 28, in Hai Phong city, the Navy (Ministry of National Defense) held a Ceremony to receive the title of People’s Armed Forces Hero (for the third time).

The General Secretary, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, attended and delivered a guiding speech at the ceremony.

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Attending the ceremony were members of the Politburo.

Also attending were members of the Party Central Committee, former members of the Party Central Committee, leaders of the Party and State; leaders of central and local committees, ministries, and sectors; leaders of the Ministry of National Defense, heads of units under the Ministry of National Defense; leaders and commanders of the Navy through various periods; generals, People’s Armed Forces Heroes, Labor Heroes of the Navy; leaders, commanders, and representatives of officers and soldiers of agencies and units under the Navy.

Shining brighter the noble quality “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers – Navy Soldiers”

Recalling the history of the Navy’s construction, combat, and growth, the Vice Admiral, Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission, Navy Commander stated that in response to the task requirements of managing and protecting the sovereignty of the nation’s seas and islands, after the North was completely liberated, on May 7, 1955, the Coastal Defense Department, the predecessor of the Navy, was established.

Over the past 70 years, the Navy has continuously developed and matured, achieving many glorious feats of arms, some of which have become legendary, like the miracles of our Army and nation in the Ho Chi Minh era.

During the resistance war against the US for national salvation, the Navy went into battle and won the first battle on August 2 and 5, 1964, driving the Maddox destroyer out of the northern waters, shooting down aircraft, and capturing American pilots alive; together with the military and people of the whole country, they fought courageously, defeating two wars of escalation of destruction and blockade of the North by US imperialism; trained and used naval commandos to fight the enemy on the Cua Viet-Dong Ha battlefield; opened the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea to transport supplies to the southern battlefield; participated in the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, liberating the South to reunify the country and liberating the Truong Sa archipelago and the southwestern islands, contributing to the complete and great victory of the nation.

After the country’s reunification, the Navy continued to excellently fulfill its glorious international duties in Laos and Cambodia.

In the cause of protecting sea and island sovereignty, the Navy has always affirmed absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland, and the people; regularly researched and accurately forecasted the situation, proactively advised and proposed to the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, the Party, and the State, and flexibly and correctly handled situations, especially difficult and complex situations at sea, avoiding passivity and surprise, firmly protecting sea and island sovereignty, maritime economic activities, and maintaining a peaceful and stable maritime environment for national development.

In response to the task requirements of protecting sea and island sovereignty in the new situation, the Navy has focused on building towards “lean, compact, and strong,” with a full range of force components: surface ships, submarines, naval aviation, coastal artillery-missiles, naval infantry, and naval commandos. Many new and modern types of vehicles, weapons, and equipment have been put into service. Training and education work has been emphasized; combining training with building regularity, management, and discipline training, contributing to improving the overall quality and combat strength of the entire Navy.

International integration and defense diplomacy have been implemented by the Navy proactively, synchronously, flexibly, and effectively, increasingly going into depth and substance on both bilateral and multilateral levels, prioritizing cooperation with the armies and navies of neighboring countries, major countries, strategic partners, and traditional friends; continuously building trust, enhancing the prestige and position of the Vietnam People’s Navy internationally, building a peaceful and stable sea area, contributing to protecting the Fatherland from afar and early.

With the motto “rescuing the people

Hai Phong city

Hai Phong is a major port city in northern Vietnam, historically known as a crucial industrial and maritime hub since the French colonial era in the 19th century. Today, it serves as a key economic gateway and is famed for its vibrant street food, French colonial architecture, and as the access point to the scenic Cat Ba Archipelago.

Coastal Defense Department

The “Coastal Defense Department” is not a widely recognized specific cultural site or historic place. It likely refers to a general administrative or military unit responsible for managing coastal fortifications. Historically, many nations have had such departments, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries, to oversee the construction and operation of coastal artillery batteries and naval defenses against seaborne threats.

Maddox destroyer

The term “Maddox destroyer” most likely refers to the **USS Maddox (DD-731)**, a U.S. Navy Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer. It is historically significant for its involvement in the **Gulf of Tonkin Incident** in August 1964, when it reported being attacked by North Vietnamese forces, an event that directly led to the escalation of U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. The ship served in both World War II and the Vietnam War before being decommissioned in 1969.

Cua Viet-Dong Ha battlefield

The Cua Viet-Dong Ha battlefield was a critical area of intense combat during the Vietnam War, particularly in 1972. Located in Quang Tri Province, it centered on the Cua Viet River mouth and the city of Dong Ha, which served as a major strategic gateway and supply route. The fierce battles here were pivotal in halting the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive and were a defining chapter in the conflict’s history.

Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea

The Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea was a covert maritime supply route used by North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, primarily from 1959 to 1975. It involved a fleet of camouflaged transport ships and trawlers that sailed along the coast and through international waters to deliver troops, weapons, and supplies to communist forces in South Vietnam. This seaborne network was a crucial, complementary counterpart to the more famous overland Ho Chi Minh Trail, helping to sustain the war effort despite a U.S. naval blockade.

Truong Sa archipelago

The Truong Sa archipelago, known internationally as the Spratly Islands, is a chain of islands, reefs, and atolls in the South China Sea. Historically, Vietnam asserts a long-standing presence and administrative control over the islands, citing historical documents and activities. Today, it is a strategically significant area, with parts controlled by Vietnam and other parts claimed or occupied by several neighboring countries, making it a focal point of regional maritime disputes.

Laos

Laos is a landlocked Southeast Asian nation with a rich history centered around the ancient kingdom of Lan Xang, the “Land of a Million Elephants,” established in the 14th century. Its culture is deeply influenced by Theravada Buddhism, visible in its many historic temples and daily life. A significant modern historical site is the Plain of Jars, an enigmatic archaeological landscape, while the capital city of Vientiane and the old royal city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcase its unique architectural and spiritual heritage.

Cambodia

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation best known for the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex, the world’s largest religious monument and the heart of the powerful Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries. Its more recent history includes the devastating Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, but today it is a constitutional monarchy with a rich cultural heritage centered around Theravada Buddhism and its ancient temple architecture.