Plan to organize a conference to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Plain of Jars - Xieng Khouang Defense Campaign

On the morning of March 18, the Ministry of National Defense coordinated with Nghe An Provincial Party Committee to organize a conference to discuss the plan to organize a scientific seminar to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Plain of Jars - Xieng Khouang Defense Campaign. Attending the conference were Major General Nguyen Hoang Nhien - Director of the Institute of Military History; Major General Nguyen Duc Hoa - Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region 4...

On the side of Nghe An province, there were comrades: Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department...

Conference scene. Photo: Tien Hung

According to Major General Nguyen Hoang Nhien, the Plain of Jars - Xieng Khouang Defense Campaign was the first time in the history of the national liberation struggle that the Vietnam People's Army allied with the Lao Revolutionary Armed Forces to deploy defense on a complete campaign scale. Defeating the largest-scale attack by the Lao and Thai puppet troops under the support of the US Air Force. This campaign also helped maintain the Plain of Jars strategic area, contributing to the failure of the Nixon Doctrine in Laos. This campaign showed that defense is an inevitable form in carrying out strategic tasks, protecting land, and maintaining key targets and areas.

Major General Nguyen Hoang Nhien speaks at the conference. Photo: Tien Hung

“The victory of the Plain of Jars – Xieng Khouang defensive campaign was the result of the Party’s correct leadership, the strength of the solidarity and fighting alliance between the armies and people of Vietnam and Laos. Among them, there was a huge contribution from the army and people of Nghe An province,” said Major General Nguyen Hoang Nhien, adding that the conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the campaign is a place to pay tribute to the great contributions of the armies and people of the two countries in the struggle for national liberation and defense. At the same time, the conference is also an opportunity to draw lessons and develop the theory of Vietnamese military art to apply to the cause of building the army and strengthening national defense. Arousing and fostering the patriotism of the army and people... Therefore, the conference needs to be organized solemnly, worthy of history.

Leaders of Nghe An province speak at the conference. Photo: Tien Hung

At the conference, delegates discussed and agreed on the detailed plans proposed by the organizing committee. In particular, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh said that Nghe An province will closely coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and Military Region 4 to successfully organize this historic event.

“In addition to its historical significance, the Workshop is an event that strengthens the special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, as well as between Nghe An and Xieng Khouang provinces. The Workshop will also be a highlight to promote tourism activities of the two countries in general and Xieng Khouang and Nghe An provinces in particular. Therefore, the province will direct relevant agencies and units to closely coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and Military Region 4 so that the Workshop takes place solemnly and meaningfully, commensurate with the historical event taking place at the Plain of Jars - Xieng Khouang”, said comrade Le Hong Vinh.

Also at the conference, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department Nguyen Thi Thu Huong suggested that a press conference should be held early to have careful preparation; it is necessary to coordinate with the Central Propaganda Department to propagate this event.

As planned, the scientific conference with the theme "50 years of the Plain of Jars - Xieng Khouang Defense Campaign - Victory and lessons learned" will be held on May 20 in Vinh City, with the participation of many leaders of the Party, State, Central Committees, Ministries and Branches; Heads and former Heads of the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, the General Department of Politics; Commanders of agencies, units and localities; historical witnesses; research agencies, scientists inside and outside the military.

Tien Hung