Attending the event were Hoang Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; and Nguyen Thai Hung, member of the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council, among others.

Delegates reviewed the 80-year glorious journey of the provincial armed forces. On August 26, 1945, the successful uprising to seize power in Son La marked a historic milestone in unifying the armed forces across districts and communes into the Son La provincial armed forces.

Over the past 80 years, under the leadership of the Party, the love and support of the ethnic communities, and the assistance of units and localities, the provincial armed forces have written a golden chapter of tradition: “Loyalty, self-reliance, solidarity, bravery, and victory.” Officers and soldiers have actively and proactively overcome difficulties, and joined with local ethnic groups in successfully carrying out the cause of renovation, contributing to socio-economic, and cultural development, firmly ensuring national defence and security, defeating hostile forces’ “peaceful evolution” strategy; and maintaining political security and social order.

Speaking at the event, Khanh praised the outstanding achievements and glorious victories of the provincial armed forces over the past 80 years. He expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for the great contributions and sacrifices of generations of officers and soldiers in defending the country and ensuring peace and happiness for the people.

He urged the Party committees, commanders, officers, and soldiers to continue strengthening the political foundation of the provincial armed forces, promoting spiritual values in building firm defensive zones, proactively monitoring and grasping local situations, and focusing on bettering mass mobilisation and social welfare works.

They were requested to be ready to take the lead in disaster response, rescue, and relief efforts; join hands in building new-style rural areas, and support socio-economic development, and poverty reduction. The provincial Party leader also emphasised the need to build the provincial armed forces to be truly “revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern,” thereby successfully fulfilling the mission of building and defending the Fatherland in the new era.

On this occasion, the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee awarded certificates of merit to four collectives and four individuals with outstanding achievements in implementing activities to celebrate the 80th traditional day of the provincial armed forces (August 26, 1945-2025).