The event saw the presence of Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chea Kimtha; Vietnamese generals and heroes of the people’s armed forces; foreign guests; 200 war veterans, former volunteer soldiers, and former experts of Vietnam who used to fight and work in the neighbouring country; and Cambodian students.
Le Kim Anh, President of the Hanoi Women’s Union and Chairwoman of the city’s Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, affirmed that the two countries boast friendly neighbourliness, solidarity, and mutual support throughout history.
Shortly after winning the resistance war against the US in 1975, the Cambodian people suffered from a big tragedy caused by the reactionary force of Pol Pot - Ieng Sary. This force also distorted history, provoked, and seriously violated the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Vietnam.
To safeguard the Fatherland’s sacred sovereignty, protect people’s lives and property, and respond to the urgent appeal from the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation, with the noble international spirit of “helping the other means helping oneself”, volunteer soldiers of Vietnam and the revolutionary armed force of Cambodia launched a strategic offensive along the entire borderline to drive off the Khmer Rouge and liberate the Cambodian people from the genocidal regime. On January 7, 1979, Phnom Penh capital was completely liberated, Anh noted.
Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chea Kimtha addresses the event. (Photo: VNA)
At the gathering, former volunteer soldiers and former experts of Vietnam recounted their memories of the time they spent with Cambodian comrades and people while fighting on the southwestern battlefield to free Cambodia from the genocidal regime, and settling this regime’s consequences and rebuilding Cambodia.
On this occasion, 50 gift packages were presented to war veterans, former volunteer soldiers, former experts, and representatives of Cambodian students in Vietnam.