Russian Major General recalls Vietnam’s war to defence northern border
It is the courage and resolve of soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army that contributed to the victory of the northern border defence war in Vietnam 40 years ago (February 17), said Russian Major General Viktor Demyanenko.
It is the courage and resolve of soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army that contributed to the victory of the northern border defence war in Vietnam 40 years ago (February 17), said Russian Major General Viktor Demyanenko. (Photo: VNA)
Moscow (VNA) – It is the courage and resolve of soldiers of the VietnamPeople’s Army that contributed to the victory of the northern border defencewar in Vietnam 40 years ago (February 17),said Russian Major General Viktor Demyanenko.
Demyanenko was among 21 officers of the former Soviet Union (present-dayRussia) sent to Vietnam to help the country during the struggle to defence itsnorthern border in 1979.
The 90-year-old Major General told a Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent thathe is proud to be one of the three people who advised then Party GeneralSecretary Le Duan to withdraw a major army corp from the southwestern border toassist the northern border.
The corp, together with the BM-21 rocket artillery unit, created a shieldprotecting Hanoi capital city, he recalled.
Demyanenko lauded courage of local forces, especially civil defence force,during the struggle, saying Vietnamese people followed President Ho Chi Minh’s teachingthat “nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.”
He highlighted the tactics characterised by surprise attacks used by theVietnamese army given a range of difficulties facing the country at that time.
Demyanenk, who worked for the military sector for 45 years, stressed that apartfrom a strong army, modern equipment and contributions of different forces, thestrength is in patriotism and courage.
The Major General said he had always tried his best to protect Vietnam as hishome country, and expressed his love for the Southeast Asian nation.-VNA
The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and the Vietnam Association of Historical Science (VAHS) jointly held a national conference in Hanoi on February 15 to discuss the northern border defence war (1979-2019).
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Vietnam’s war to defend its northern border, Dr Tran Huu Huy, member of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, analysed the victory and historic lessons drawn from the war.
A seminar was held at the military school of the northernmost province of Ha Giang on February 15 to recall the war that defended the northern border 40 years ago.
Lieut. Gen Porfiry Ivashko, one of the first experts and advisors of the former Soviet Union (now Russia) sent to Vietnam right after the northern border defence war began in the country 40 years ago (February 17, 1979), has asserted the just struggle of Vietnamese people.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
It is the courage and resolve of soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army that contributed to the victory of the northern border defence war in Vietnam 40 years ago (February 17), said Russian Major General Viktor Demyanenko. (Photo: VNA) 
