Symposium looks at northern border defence war, defence experience
The northern border defence war in 1979 and Vietnam’s defence experience were the main themes of a scientific symposium held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 4.
At the scientific symposium held in HCM City on April 4 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The northern border defence war in 1979 and Vietnam’sdefence experience were the main themes of a scientific symposium held in HoChi Minh City on April 4.
On February 17, 1979,China launched a large-scale attack on Vietnam’s territory along all thenorthern border line shared by the two countries from Phong Tho (Lai Chauprovince) to Mong Cai (Quang Ninh province).
Exercising theirlegitimate right to defence, Vietnam’s army and people fought back with greatfortitude.
Suffering heavy losseswithout achieving the attack’s initial aim, and being condemned byinternational opinions, China withdrew all its military forces from Vietnam onMarch 18 that year.
Former Director of theVietnam Military History Institute Vu Quang Dao said that various lessons canbe drawn out from the northern border defence war, including the importance ofupholding national independence and remembering President Ho Chi Minh’steaching, that “nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”.
The war also taughtVietnam to keep vigilant, building strong defence regions and combiningtraditional military techniques with modern warfare, he added. –VNA
Lieut. Gen Porfiry Ivashko, one of the first experts and advisors of the former Soviet Union (now Russia) sent to Vietnam right after the northern border defence war began in the country 40 years ago (February 17, 1979), has asserted the just struggle of Vietnamese people.
It is the courage and resolve of soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army that contributed to the victory of the northern border defence war in Vietnam 40 years ago (February 17), said Russian Major General Viktor Demyanenko.
The war to defend the northern border of Vietnamese people 40 years ago (February 17, 1949) was spotlighted in a recent seminar held at the Ho Chi Minh Institute under Saint Petersburg State University of Russia.
The art of command during the northern border defence war in 1979 is analysed in an article by Associate Professor and Doctor Ho Khang, former deputy director of the Vietnam Military History Institute.
Many activities have been held in the northernmost province of Ha Giang on February 17 and 18 to pay tribute to martyrs and veterans who joined the war defending the northern border four decades ago.
Despite realising that he had been scammed, the tourist still paid the fare, took a photo of the license plate as evidence and sent a report to the authorities.
Through personal relationships or professional dealings, Chairman of Phuc Son Group Nguyen Van Hau gave a total of over 130 billion VND to local leaders in Vinh Phuc and Quang Ngai provinces. These officials used their positions to execute tasks as requested by Hau, enabling him and Phuc Son Group, as well as Thang Long company, to carry out projects, participate in tenders, and win contracts.
Total tourism revenue is projected to reach 280 trillion VND (10.7 billion USD), with hotel occupancy rates averaging 68% and the sector’s contribution to the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) estimated at 7–7.5%.
Amid complex developments in the region, the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel continues to advise Vietnamese citizens who remain in the conflict zone to stay calm, maintain regular contact with the embassy, and strictly follow instructions and warnings from local authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), and the embassy.
Kon Tum aims to eliminate all substandard housing by October 31. Authorities will continue to review and prioritise support for households in serious hardship, especially those who rendered service to the nation, the poor, and victims of Agent Orange, while ensuring transparency and preventing policy abuse.
Vietnam has achieved many remarkable results, such as the smoking rate among adults decreased from 23.8% in 2010 to 20.8% in 2021. The rate of exposure to secondhand smoke decreased from 73.1% to 45.6%.
More than half a century after the war, millions of unexploded bombs and mines remain buried underground, threatening lives and hindering development in many localities.
According to the indictment, during the execution of various projects and procurement packages across the provinces of Vinh Phuc, Quang Ngai, and Phu Tho, Phuc Son Group's Chairman and General Director Nguyen Van Hau, who is also Chairman of the Thang Long investment, trade and real estate JSC, either personally committed, directed subordinates, or worked with partner entities to carry out unlawful activities related bidding and accounting procedures.
According to Ben Tre authorities, the province will continue to strengthen IUU fishing prevention by enforcing central directives and enhancing public awareness and compliance among local fishing communities.
Trial operations at the new public administrative service centres in Thanh Khe and Ngu Hanh Son wards show that the reception and processing of citizens' documents on the new wards’ data system have been smoothly handled by the staff, enabling quick settlement and facilitating easy access to public services for the people.
The event, the 12th of its kind jointly, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and Chris Geyskens, Chairwoman of the Belgium chapter of the Hoi An – Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin.
The Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual school has positioned itself as a prestigious education establishment, nurturing generations of Vietnamese and Lao students while preserving Vietnamese culture and language as well as strengthening the special bonds between the two countries
For households of people with meritorious service and relatives of fallen soldiers, the province supported the construction and renovation of 2,374 houses, achieving 100% of the set target, 342 newly built and 2,032 renovated.
Held under the theme “Pride and Aspiration”, this year's “Glory to Vietnam” programme aimed to inspire the Vietnamese people's ambition to reach new heights during the era of integration and development.
According to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC), this year’s campaign provided long-term aid for 3,785 individuals and organisations. Support included houses, clean water systems, school meal facilities, books, and livelihood assistance, with a total value of more than 118 billion VND.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
At the scientific symposium held in HCM City on April 4 (Photo: VNA) 
