Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Friday grants the first-class National Defence Medal to the General Department of Military Intelligence. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Friday granted the first-class National Defence Medal to the General Department of Military Intelligence under the Ministry of National Defence to mark its 75th founding anniversary (October 25).

The PM praised the department for fulfilling its responsibilities as a strategic intelligence agency of the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, inheriting the tradition of “being strong, resilient, independent, creative, smart and solidarity to win".

The unit has inherited and brought into full play the intelligence tradition of its predecessors, learning from global intelligence experience and summarising many valuable experiences through practical activities, deeply absorbed with the teachings of late President Hồ Chí Minh, he said.

To continue its glorious tradition and carry out its tasks, the department’s staff must preserve the special trust and love given by the Party, State and the Army, he said.

Defence intelligence officers need to understand and apply the Party's directions on military-defence missions to continue to perform well its role as a strategic intelligence agency, he said.

He urged the department to streamline its apparatus to operate a compact, strong, professional, effective and functional system and build a contingent of intelligence officers with political bravery, strategic vision and professional knowledge to take on missions.

The PM believed that with its glorious history and tradition of 75 years along with its existing strengths, the General Department of Military Intelligence would continue to grow and complete all assigned tasks, becoming a key force, living up to the trust of the Party, State, Army and people.

On October 25, 1945, the defence intelligence room under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army was established. Since then, October 25 has become the traditional day of the national defence intelligence force.

The defence intelligence force made contributions to the national liberation in the wars against French colonialism and American imperialism as well as national construction and protection.

The department was honoured to receive the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in the Đổi Mới (renewal) period, the Gold Star Medal, Hồ Chí Minh medals, the first-class independence medal, first-class military merits medals and the first-class national defence medal, among others. VNS