Hanoi (VNA) – The ASEAN Military Music Exchange 2024 concluded on December 22 with a vibrant closing ceremony showcasing captivating performances that combined music and dances.

🐲 With pride, patriotism, and a fervent desire to contribute, singers, dancers, and musicians from participating military bands delivered emotionally resonant melodies. Their performances embodied the spirit of international solidarity and friendship, drawing upon the history, culture, and shared values of the armed forces from the participating nations.

The exchange brought together military bands from the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the Vietnamese Public Security Force, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, the People’s Liberation Army of China, the Lao People’s Army, the Malaysian Armed Forces, and the Myanmar Army.

During the four-day event, the bands staged outstanding performances at various venues across Hanoi, including the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, streets near the citadel and President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 , the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Vietnam Military History Museum.

🎀 The event was part of a series of activities commemorating the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 35th anniversary of the All-People’s Defence Festival. It aimed to promote Vietnam’s culture, people, and the VPA to international partners and friends, particularly within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Additionally, it provided a platform to enhance mutual understanding, trust, and solidarity, strengthening the bonds of friendship among the armed forces of the participating nations.

In his closing remarks, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the VPA and Head of the Organising Committee, commended the participating forces for their significant contributions to the event’s success, despite a tight rehearsal schedule and challenging weather conditions.

He highlighted that the performances by the military bands not only inspired a profound sense of friendship with the VPA and the Vietnamese people but also received warm and heartfelt hospitality in return. This hospitality, characterised by friendliness, a love for peace, and strong solidarity, left a lasting impression on the international participants.

The exchange’s success underscored the VPA’s commitment to fostering solidarity and cooperation for global peace, he said.

🎀 Looking ahead, Nghia affirmed that, in line with Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification, the Ministry of National Defence will continue to enhance international defence relations, including cultural exchanges, aiming to promote peace, cooperation, friendship, and mutual development with armies around the world./.