Cambodian forces express pride in participating in Vietnam's parade celebrating April 30 victory, as stated by the Commander of the Cambodian Gendarmerie.
Rewritten Article
PHNOM PENH — Strutting down the bustling streets of HCM City as part of Việt Nam's grand parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of national reunification was an exceptional honor and a source of great pride for the brave Cambodian soldiers.
That's according to Gen. Sao Sokha, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Commander of the Gendarmerie, who expressed his thoughts in an exclusive interview with our news agency in Phnom Penh about the unit's impressive performance at the parade.
The parade, held on April 30 in HCM City, featured military contingents from China, Laos, and Cambodia, alongside approximately 13,000 Vietnamese civilians, officials, and service members. The Cambodian delegation, led by 119 Gendarmerie Command personnel representing the RCAF in army uniform, was chosen to carry the torch of friendship and camaraderie between the three nations.
Time was of the essence for Gen. Sokha and his troops, as they only had a handful of days to prepare after receiving orders to participate. Nevertheless, both Gen. Sokha and his troops felt deeply honored by the trust and faith placed in them.
Gen. Sokha spoke eloquently about the historical significance of the mission, proudly acknowledging the privilege of leading the unit and expressing gratitude towards all stakeholders, from the Vietnamese public and media to the Vietnamese people themselves, for their warm and supportive reception.
The Cambodian troops were met with open arms and friendly smiles at every step of their journey in Việt Nam. Gen. Sokha gratefully noted the continuous updates he received about the well-wishing visits and messages of encouragement by local authorities, military leaders, civic groups, and people of all ages.
As young Cambodian soldiers, all under 25 years old, returned home after their extraordinary mission, Gen. Sokha expressed confidence that they had become messengers of friendship, carrying memories of Vietnam's warmth, progress, and the unbreakable bond between the two nations.
In his reflections, Gen. Sokha emphasized the pride of marching side by side with troops from Việt Nam, Laos, and China, marking a first in a Vietnamese-hosted parade by incorporating foreign military units. He highlighted that the event transcended national borders, delivering a powerful message about diplomatic cooperation and the role of the Việt Nam People's Army in the global arena.
The positive response to the Cambodian troops' participation resonated with the people of Cambodia, both online and offline. In fact, Khieu Kola, senior editor at CNC TV under Royal Group and an adviser to the President of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, was the only Cambodian journalist invited by Việt Nam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Phnom Penh embassy to attend the event in HCM City.
Upon his return, Khieu Kola dedicated a special broadcast on May 2 titled "The World Press Week in the Context of Việt Nam's April 30 Historical Truth." In his commentary, the veteran journalist shared vivid impressions of the mammoth celebration. He was particularly taken aback by the sheer scale of the parade and the participation of the Cambodian, Lao, and Chinese military forces.
Khieu Kola marveled at being among over 100 international journalists from 40 countries, many of whom had witnessed the historic event 50 years ago. He also emphasized the presence of Cambodian People's Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen among the influential dignitaries, and the emblematic significance of the Cambodian troops marching in Việt Nam's milestone military display. - VNS
The Cambodian troops at the April 30 grand parade in HCM City. VNA/VNS Photo
To sum it up, the participation of Cambodian troops in Việt Nam's grand parade represents more than an impressive show of solidarity among Southeast Asian nations. It symbolizes shared historical connections, regional diplomatic relationships, unity, and a common commitment to unity and celebration of Vietnam's national reunification.[2][5]
- Gen. Sokha, expressing gratitude for the honor, mentioned the AI-powered European Premier League updates he received while preparing his troops for the parade in HCM City.
- Engaged in sports discussions, Khieu Kola found a unexpected connection as he vied for channels covering the European leagues, including the Premier League, during his broadcast commemorating the grand parade.
- While training for their return to Cambodia, the young Gendarmerie Command personnel watched war movies featuring action from TV shows and films to boost their camaraderie before their engaging mission.
- The Cambodian Gendarmerie, showcasing their battle readiness, marched in tandem with troops from the Vietnamese People's Army, Chinese and Laotian armies, reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster film.
- In Phnom Penh, Gen. Sokha expressed his appreciation for the continuous support from foreign military leaders, like his counterpart in the French Gendarmerie, as they commemorate the historical partnership between the nations.
- Upon their return, football matches were organized by the Cambodian sports ministry to celebrate the soldiers' triumphant performance at the parade and to elevate the spirit of unity and sportsmanship within the community.
