Young people nationwide join army

Young people wave at their families at a see-off ceremony

Thousands of young people nationwide are leaving home to join the army for their military service in late February.

A ceremony to see off newly-recruited soldiers in Hanoi’s Dan Phuong district on February 20 was attended by General Luong Cuong, Chairman of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA); Nguyen Duc Chung, Chairman of Hanoi city People’s Committee and Chairman of the city’s military service council; Major General Nguyen Hong Thai, Commander of the Hanoi Capital Command, among other guests.

On behalf of the new soldiers, Vuong Chuong Dinh from Dan Phuong’s Phuong Dinh commune said he felt proud to follow the path of older generations. 

Hugging his mother at the ceremony, Tran Van Quang said he is resolved to be a good soldier, adding that he wants to improve his knowledge so that he can contribute to local development after completing his military service.

At similar ceremonies in other districts of Hanoi, newly conscripted soldiers said they are eager to fulfil their duty as citizens to the motherland.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the VPA Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong attended a ceremony in the northern province of Ha Nam.

In the north central province of Thanh Hoa, all 27 districts, towns and cities also held send-off ceremonies for new soldiers on February 20.

The same day, the northern province of Quang Ninh also completed the hand-over of all newly-conscripted soldiers to the army.

In Vietnam, military service is compulsory for young men aged between 18 and 25 years old, while women can volunteer.