Tran Hung Dao Forest has been recognized as a Special National Monument.

On the evening of December 15th, a ceremony was held in Cao Bang province to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2014), the 25th anniversary of the National Defense Day (December 22, 1989 - December 22, 2014), and to announce the designation of Tran Hung Dao Forest as a Special National Historical Site.

The event was attended by President Truong Tan Sang; Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son; General Ngo Xuan Lich, Head of the General Political Department; Head of the Central Committee's Mass Mobilization Department Ha Thi Khiet; and representatives from central and local ministries, departments, and agencies. Also present were veteran officials, representatives of the family of General Vo Nguyen Giap, along with 34 families of soldiers from the Vietnam Liberation Army Propaganda Team, and a large number of local people.

The commemoration ceremony reviewed the 70-year journey of building, fighting, winning, and maturing of our Army. In the spring of 1944, after traveling across five continents and four seas, leader Nguyen Ai Quoc returned to directly lead the revolutionary movement. In October 1944, at Pac Bo - Ha Quang (Cao Bang), leader Nguyen Ai Quoc issued a directive to establish the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army and entrusted Comrade Vo Nguyen Giap with its formation.

A scene from the art program at the commemoration ceremony (Photo: Cao Bang Newspaper)

Following President Ho Chi Minh's directive, on December 22, 1944, in the Tran Hung Dao forest, Tam Kim commune, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province, the Vietnam Liberation Propaganda Team was established. This was a testament to the wise and skillful leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, and the culmination of our nation's thousands of years of history in fighting for national liberation and defense. It was a significant political and military event, a turning point for our Party and nation.

From its initial main force of 34 soldiers, over the past 70 years, our Army has gradually developed and grown stronger alongside the entire Party and army, successfully carrying out the August 1945 revolutionary uprising, achieving many glorious victories in the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism, unifying the country to build and firmly defend the Fatherland and socialism. At the same time, it has excellently fulfilled its international duties. Our Army has become the heroic army of the heroic Vietnamese nation.

The commemoration also served as an occasion to remember General Vo Nguyen Giap - the elder brother of the Vietnam People's Army. At the same time, it emphasized the significance, historical value, traditions, and importance of the Tran Hung Dao Forest National Special Historical Site.

Speaking at the commemoration ceremony, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son stated: Under the education and training of President Ho Chi Minh, the army, born from the people and fighting for the people, quickly grew strong and mature, remaining absolutely loyal to the Party and the country, fighting for national independence and socialism. Under the leadership of the Party, the brilliant command of General Vo Nguyen Giap and other generals, our army fought and defeated the world's most formidable imperial powers, firmly protecting national independence and sovereignty, leading the people to peace, and advancing towards building socialism.

An army born from the people, growing and maturing from the people, fighting for the people, serving the people, loyal to the Party, fighting for national independence and socialism. Throughout 70 years of arduous struggle, construction, and growth, our army, together with the entire nation, has forged glorious chapters in history, moving from one victory to another.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son affirmed that Cao Bang has made immense contributions to the national revolution. Of the 34 soldiers of the Vietnam Liberation Propaganda Team in the past, 25 were sons and daughters of ethnic groups from Cao Bang. Many of them later achieved remarkable success, becoming high-ranking generals in the Army and senior Party officials. In peacetime, the cadres and people of Cao Bang's ethnic groups continue to achieve great accomplishments, building a more prosperous and beautiful homeland, firmly protecting local security and defense, and contributing to the nation's socialist construction.

On behalf of the Party Committee and people of Cao Bang province, Comrade Ha Ngoc Chien, Secretary of the Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee, respectfully expressed gratitude for the affection and attention of the Party, State, and Army to the military and people of Cao Bang province. The entire Party Committee and people of Cao Bang province pledge to continue to unite under the leadership of the Party, to continue to uphold the revolutionary traditions of their homeland, to build an increasingly prosperous and happy life for the people, and to firmly protect the national border.

At the ceremony, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son respectfully presented the Certificate recognizing Tran Hung Dao Forest as a Special National Historical Site to Cao Bang province.

At the commemoration ceremony, the audience enjoyed a spectacular artistic program consisting of three parts: The legend of the revolutionary army that originated from the people and fought for the people; the epic of "hundred victories in a hundred battles" of the heroic revolutionary armed forces – the People's Army of Vietnam; and the Tran Hung Dao forest, a special national historical site and a golden historical tradition of the People's Army of Vietnam.

The program included revolutionary songs and dance choreography, beginning with the song "Homeland Festival" and ending with "Cao Bang in a New Era" and "That Soldier".

According to VOV