The event was attended by Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Defense Minister General Nguyen Tan Cuong; Deputy Defense Ministers Sr. Lt. Gen. Vo Minh Luong and Sr. Lt. Gen. Vu Hai San; Deputy Chiefs of the General Staff Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia and Lt. Gen. Pham Truong Son; and Deputy Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Quang Minh.
The exchange takes place from December 19 to 22, gathering the military ceremonial bands and the police ceremonial bands from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, China, Malaysia, and Myanmar.
    |
 |
|
Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia speaks at the event |
Speaking at the event, Gen. Nghia emphasized that the exchange is not only an artistic playground, but also an opportunity to strengthen friendship and solidarity among the armed forces and nations in the region and around the world. The performances by military bands from various countries convey messages of peace-loving, cooperation, and sustainable development. They serve as a bridge connecting soldiers who share the aspiration to build a peaceful and prosperous world. This exchange also contributes to enhancing the solidarity, friendship, and cultural cooperation between the Vietnam People’s Army and the militaries of other countries regionally and globally. It is also an opportunity for delegates to explore and gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam's land, people, and the proud traditions of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army.
At the opening ceremony, delegates, people, and visitors enjoyed joint and individual performances on stage as well as street parades along prominent streets (Nguyen Tri Phuong, Dien Bien Phu, Doc Lap, Hoang Van Thu, and Hoang Dieu) by military bands from various countries.
|
|
 |
|
Performances at the event |
Each performance of the military bands reflected discipline, unity, and resilience, the core values of the armed forces of each nation. Under the direction of their conductors, military ceremonial bands blew a fresh vitality to familiar songs such as "Nhu co Bac trong ngay vui dai thang" (As If Uncle Ho were here on the day of great victory), "Tien ve Ha Noi" (Marching to Hanoi), "Noi vong tay lon" (The great circle of unity), "Viet Nam que huong toi" (Vietnam, my homeland), "Trai tim nguoi chien si" (The soldiers’ heart), and "Nguoi Cong an than yeu" (Beloved police officer). The vibrant performances drew a picture of international solidarity and friendship and perfectly aligned with the theme of the exchange, "Music Connecting Friendship."
Translated by Tran Hoai