PANO – The General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army on April 27th held a solemn ceremony to mark the 100th birthday of General Hoang Van Thai, first Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and former Deputy Defence Minister (May 1st 1915-2015).

In his speech, Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, highlighted General Hoang Van Thai’s contributions and achievements during his over 40-year revolutionary career.

Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan addresses the ceremony...
... and studies books and documents on General Hoang Van Thai at the exhibition

General Hoang Van Thai devoted all his life to the Party’s ideal and the country’s independence. When he was alive, he always fulfilled all tasks assigned by the Party, State and Army, had greate ideas, making considerable contributions to the development of the Vietnam People’s Army.

For all these, General Hoang Van Thai was presented with many noble orders, medals and merit certificates by the Party, State and other nations.

Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan affirmed that troops of the General Staff would continuously learn and uphold the late general’s example to effectively fulfill all assigned missions.

In addition, the VPA’s General Staff kicked off an exhibition on books, photos and documentaries on General Hoang Van Thai.

PANO would like to introduce some images capturing General Hoang Van Thai’s over 40-year revolutionary career:

General Hoang Van Thai at a meeting during the Border Campaign in 1950

General Hoang Van Thai visits a DKZ battery on Bach Long Vi Island in May 1957

General Hoang Van Thai visits troops of an anti-aircraft unit in 1958

General Hoang Van Thai in a Mig-21’s cockpit during the inspection tour to Sao Do Air Force Regiment (called Regiment 921 of the Air Defence and Air Force Service) in 1972

General Hoang Van Thai works with the Engineering Arm Command in 1974

General Hoang Van Thai, General Vo Nguyen Giap and other members of the Central Military Commission, in 1975

Translated by Pham Huy