PM says Viet Nam must show strength

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Viet Nam needs to demonstrate its economic, political, military and diplomatic strengths in a bid to safeguard its independence and sovereignty.

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Speaking at a ceremony to launch the new academic year at the National Defence Academy in Ha Noi yesterday, the cabinet leader said Viet Nam had weathered numerous challenges in recent years, including the global economic crisis, natural disasters, epidemics and violations of its sovereignty in the East Sea.


In response to these challenges, the country has made progress in its socio-economic development, consolidated defence and security efforts, and reinforced external relations, he noted, adding that the people's armed forces, including the academy, had contributed substantially to these achievements.

Stressing the importance of the armed forces, PM Dung urged the defence sector to strengthen its capabilities and proactively deal with risks and challenges to national security.

He said as a leading institution for military training and strategic defence research, the academy needed to work harder to improve the quality of teaching and provide a scientific basis for the country's defence strategy.

He also called upon academy staff to broaden their research and prediction models on hostile forces and acts of hostility and to include response mechanisms.