Border guard celebrates 50th anniversary of service

Hanoi (VNA/VNS) - National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong has applauded
contributions of border guards to national construction and defence over the past 50
years.

Trong passed the compliment at a ceremony in Hanoi on March 2 to mark the 50 th
anniversary of the border guard forces and the 20 th anniversary of the All
People's Border Guard Day.

He stressed the need to build the Vietnam border guard into seasoned and modern
force to match the current conditions and their tasks.

Border guards should also keep close contact with people, particularly ethnic
minority people in remote and mountainous areas and to work with local authorities
to effectively implement policies on poverty reduction and eliminating illiteracy
for ethnic minority people, thus helping to strengthening the link between the Party
and people, he said.

On behalf of the Party and State, the NA chairman awarded the border guard forces
the title "Hero of the People's Armed Forces" in recognition of their achievements
and contributions to national construction and defence.

Defence Deputy Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Khac Nghien said the border guard forces always try
their best to fulfill their tasks under any circumstances.

The border guard forces have a key role in implementing socio-economic development
programmes, protecting the national sovereignty and security, building a peaceful
and friendly border line with other countries and creating favourable conditions for
the country's international integration, he said.-Enditem