General Phan Văn Giang, Minister of National Defence, speaks at the event. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam will invite some countries to participate in the march on the occasion of National Day, September 2, said General Phan Văn Giang, Minister of National Defence.

Speaking on the press meeting held on Thursday evening to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Việt Nam Revolutionary Press Day, which was organised by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, Giang revealed that the number of participating foreign countries is not large, it would still affirm that Việt Nam is respected and admired by friends around the world.

In addition, naval forces will join the upcoming march and parade for the first time including navy, coast guard, fisheries surveillance and naval air force.

At the meeting, General Giang reviewed the history of Việt Nam's revolutionary press as well as the military press.

The Minister said that in war, for the army, it was guns and bullets, while for journalists, it was cameras and pens. All volunteered to go forward.

He assessed that the press agencies had published and broadcast many news and articles reflecting the contributions of military officers and soldiers, militia and self-defence forces participating in the march at the 70th anniversary of Điện Biên Phủ Victory, and the 50th anniversary of National Reunification Day.

The published articles have directly contributed to promoting the image, prestige and position of the army, spreading the qualities, values ​​and fine traditions of Uncle Hồ's soldiers.

General Giang also recalled the image of the Việt Nam People's Army joining the march for the first time on the Red Square in Russia. Here, the soldiers sang the song Kachiusa loudly.

Besides, the foreign army sang the song ‘Như có Bác Hồ trong ngày vui đại thắng’ (As if Uncle Hồ were on the great victory day) when participating in the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification in HCM City.

All of those emotional images were vividly conveyed by the press, according to General Giang.

Việt Nam is preparing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, which also marks the 80th anniversary of the General Staff under the Việt Nam People's Army.

He hopes that the press will continue to convey the message that Việt Nam is consistent in its independence and self-reliance foreign policy, building a modern army to protect people's lives and territorial integrity so that people in the country and peace-loving friends around the world can clearly understand.

General Giang requested defence economic groups to focus on political tasks, work with the people to protect the border, landmarks and territorial integrity.

In the defence industry, units pay special attention to the policy of self-reliance, self-strengthening and modernity to build a strong and elite army.

The General stated that from this year, the sector will build a revolutionary, disciplined, elite and modern army and surpass the five-year target set by the 13th National Party Congress.

"We have all the basic conditions to move straight to modernity," General Giang affirmed.

To successfully complete all assigned tasks, the Minister requested ministries, sectors and press agencies continue to closely coordinate with the Ministry of National Defence, the General Department of Politics under the Việt Nam People's Army and military units to promote the effectiveness of the work of education about military, national defence and army building tasks.

Along with that, the army should coordinate well in advising, directing, providing information, handling important and complicated issues in a timely, strict and proper manner. — VNS