On October 15, the General Department of Political Affairs under the Vietnam People's Army held a ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense to recognize outstanding military women for the 2020 - 2025 period.
More than a summary of a five-year emulation movement, the event was a heartfelt tribute to the “steel roses” - women in uniform who embody both strength and grace, standing resilient in the ranks of the Vietnam People’s Army.
Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Party Central Committee member, Ms. Võ Thị Ánh Xuân, attended the conference and presented gifts to Heroic Vietnamese Mother Lê Thị Mạnh, honoring her profound sacrifices.
General Trịnh Văn Quyết - Party Central Committee member and Director of the General Department of Political Affairs delivering keynote remarks.
He emphasized: “In every era, women in the military have stood as symbols of loyalty, sacrifice, and Vietnamese wisdom. They are not only a solid support in the rear but also a pioneering force in numerous fields, including those requiring high technical skills and firm political will.”
General Quyết also highlighted the role of military women in the digital age, urging them to continue nurturing tradition while embracing innovation:
“They must be both the flame-keepers and flame-bearers - preserving values and inspiring progress in our efforts to build a professional, elite, and modern military.”
General Trịnh Văn Quyết presents awards to 63 outstanding collectives.
Among the awardees was Lieutenant Colonel Đặng Thị Thái Huyền, a director and Deputy Head of the Military Cinema Department. A passionate storyteller, she has turned cinema into a cultural front where soldiers fight with heart and history. From The Returned, Blessed Land, and Night on the Border to Red Rain - a film that garnered over 8.3 million views - her works capture profound emotional truths and national memory.
“Red Rain is more than a film. It's a tribute to those who fell and a wake-up call for today’s generation,” she shared emotionally.
In her eyes is the dual strength of a soldier and the sensitivity of a woman - two contrasting forces blended into the unique essence of military women.
Senior Lieutenant General Lê Huy Vịnh and Ms. Nguyễn Thị Minh Hương, Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union, present awards to 175 outstanding individuals.
During the 2020–2025 period, the military women’s movement saw remarkable transformations. Thousands of practical initiatives and impactful models, such as “Military Women in Digital Transformation,” “Companions of Young Soldiers,” and “Women’s Creative Startups” - have been widely implemented. These initiatives have significantly improved the material and spiritual lives of service members and their families.
At the close of the conference, the organizing committee awarded certificates of merit to 63 collectives and 175 individuals, selected from over 2,000 women's unions and 90,000 female members across the armed forces.
Each award serves as recognition of silent yet enduring dedication and a testament that, in every role and position, military women continue to shine with intelligence, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to serve.
Translated by MINH KIÊN
VNQD