The meeting was attended by Tong Thi Phong, former Politburo member and former Standing Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly; Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; members of the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and leaders of the provincial People's Council and People's Committee; representatives from districts, Son La city, departments, agencies, organizations, and a large number of officers and soldiers, and veterans. The event also saw the presence of leaders from the Military Commands of Laos’ Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, Houaphanh and Udomxay provinces.

At the get-together, the delegates reviewed the VPA’s glorious 80-year fighting, growing, and developing journey.

The establishment of the Vietnam People's Army was a historic turning point for the Vietnamese revolution, marking the maturity of the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. Beginning with only 34 officers and soldiers from the Vietnam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army, the army soon developed a rich tradition of fighting foreign invaders and mastering military arts.

From the first victories in Na Ngan and Phay Khat to the famous Dien Bien Phu Victory, which defeated French colonialism, leading the North to advance toward socialism. From the opening battle of Buon Me Thuot to the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, which liberated the South and reunified the nation, the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army, especially those of Military Region 2 and Son La province, overcame all difficulties, creating many great victories. The footprints of the army's officers and soldiers were etched in the battlefields of the Northwest, the Central Highlands, and the South, as well as in Laos and Cambodia, writing golden pages in the history of the nation and leaving their mark on world history with the brightest moments.

In the period of renovation and promoting national industrialization and modernization, the VPA has done a good job of advising the Party and the State to build an all-people defence system, a people’s war strategy, and solid defence areas. They have continuously enhanced their overall quality and combative strength, fostered a firm political mettle, maintained ideological stability, and proactively countered the "peaceful evolution" strategy and imperialist-backed riots, ensuring political stability and successfully carrying out the task of protecting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the new situation.

Addressing the function, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People's Committee Trang Thi Xuan emphasized the tremendous role of the Vietnam People's Army in the nation's struggle for independence, national defence, and development. She also expressed deep gratitude to the generations of officers and soldiers who have contributed and sacrificed for the nation's independence and freedom.

Xuan urged the provincial armed forces to continue promoting the widespread dissemination of the 80-year glorious history of the army, as well as the significance of the All-People Defense Festival. She stressed the importance of building a strong provincial Military Party Organization in terms of politics, ideology, organization, ethics, and personnel, and continually improving the leadership and combat readiness of the Party organizations and their members.

On this occasion, the provincial People's Committee presented 500 gift packages to the leaders of the Military Commands of the four Lao provinces and delegates attending the meeting.