Vietnamese newspapers gave wide coverage to activities marking the anniversary on Monday. The Vietnam People’s Army newspaper and the People newspaper ran editorials asserting the Vietnam People’s Army’s role as a heroic army of a heroic people, as well as beliefs in the army’s strong future development.

On this occasion, General Phung Quang Thanh, Politburo member and Minister of National Defense, visited and congratulated several former state and army leaders including Former Party Secretary and Senior Lieutenant-General Le Kha Phieu, former State President General Le Duc Anh, and former Defense Minister General Pham Van Tra.

Ho Chi Minh City organized a get-together for senior army leaders who have contributed to national liberation. Nguyen Thanh Nguong, who received the title “Hero of the People's Armed Forces”, spoke at the event: "This is a great opportunity for us to reunite and review the army’s glorious victories and traditions. In these days, we often recall memories of our comrades who laid down their lives for national independence."

Marking the event, Ho Chi Minh City’s Youth Union organized a ceremony to honor 43 outstanding young soldiers who earned the title “Uncle Ho’s soldiers”.

Laotian newspapers ran articles praising the achievements of the Vietnam People’s Army over the past 70 years as well as its support for Laos. The articles said that Laos will do its utmost to consolidate its traditional friendly relationship with Vietnam as well as the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation for prosperity, peace and mutual development.

Lao Defense Minister Sengnuan Sayalath hailed the Vietnam People’s Army on Monday for its successful conduct of international missions in the Lao and Cambodian revolutions. He delivered the praise at a meeting in Vientiane hosted by the Lao Defense Ministry to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. Senior Lieutenant General Sayalath took the Vietnam People’s Army as a model for the Lao People’s Revolutionary Army to follow to build a modern and elite army in the new context.  

Lao artists perform in the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army. (Photo: VNA)

On Monday, the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia offered wreaths at the memorial monument of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Phnom Penh. A celebration of the 70^th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 25th anniversary of the All-People's Defense Day in Phnom Penh was attended by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tia Banh.

Thousands of people including many war veterans headed to Vung Chua - Dao Yen or Swallow Island in the central province of Quang Binh to pay tribute to General Vo Nguyen Giap on the 70^th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army.

People around Vietnam pay tribute to General Vo Nguyen Giap. (Photo: VOV)

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Bong, head of the Roon border station in Quang Binh province, said: “People who were with General Giap during the war flock to his grave despite cold rain and long travel. They come here to pay their respects to the national hero.”