The draft 14th National Congress Document broadens the concept of national defense by adding "foreign affairs and international integration" to the group of key tasks. It continues to emphasize building a strong all-people national defense, people's security, and a firm people's posture. Simultaneously, it shifts towards an approach that closely links national defense and security with socio-economic development, science and technology, environmental protection, and digital transformation.

VnExpress interviewed major general Tran Duc Thuan, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's National Defense, Security, and Foreign Affairs Committee, regarding this content.

Major general Tran Duc Thuan, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's National Defense, Security, and Foreign Affairs Committee. Photo: National Assembly Portal

"Major general, the draft 14th National Congress Document adds many new requirements, such as a modern defense industry, technological self-reliance, and protecting sovereignty in cyberspace. In your opinion, what are the most pivotal points?"

"I believe there are two truly outstanding points. First, the concept of 'strategic autonomy' is elevated to a higher level this time, clearly reflected in directives like technological self-reliance, developing a dual-use defense and security industry, and increasing the localization of critical systems. In the context of great power competition expanding into core technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and even outer space, we can only ensure security by proactively developing core capabilities, avoiding dependence."

"The second point is the inclusion of the task of protecting national sovereignty in cyberspace in the draft document. This is a very important development in strategic thinking. Cyberspace is now a true sovereign domain, standing alongside land, sea, air, and outer space. Cyberattacks, data interference, or perception warfare directly impact socio-political stability, making the addition of this content essential and consistent with non-traditional security trends and modern warfare."

"The defense and security industry is identified as a pillar to ensure strategic autonomy. So, which technologies should Vietnam prioritize to create effective deterrence?"

"With limited resources, we need to focus on four core capability groups. The first is missile technology and modern air defense and air force. This field creates direct deterrence, especially sensor technology, target designation, and high-precision guidance."

"Next is national-level cyber warfare and cyber defense capabilities. This includes systems for simulating attacks and defenses, malware analysis technology, and protecting critical digital infrastructure. At the same time, the Army and Public Security must focus on mastering new material technology, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and autonomous vehicles. This encompasses reconnaissance UAVs, armed UAVs, kamikaze UAVs, and unmanned marine vehicles. This represents a trend in modern warfare, offering low cost but high effectiveness."

"Furthermore, dual-use technologies such as microchips, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, positioning, and navigation must be synchronously implemented. These technologies will not only serve national defense but also economic development, thereby forming a sustainable dual-use industrial ecosystem."

P-28 cruise missile displayed at the Defense Expo 2024. Photo: Giang Huy

"The draft sets the goal of building a lean, strong, and compact Army and Public Security force. In the context of multi-domain operations, in your opinion, what criteria are needed for force restructuring?"

"Over the past term, the Army and Public Security have effectively implemented the streamlining policy. However, to meet the requirements of national defense in the new situation, further restructuring is needed. Streamlining must go hand-in-hand with automation and digitalization; it is not just about reducing numbers but focusing on enhancing quality and organizing more flexibly based on big data and artificial intelligence. Concurrently, specialized forces for multi-domain operations need to be clearly formed, such as cyber warfare, electronic warfare, and space warfare, at a level appropriate for Vietnam's conditions, along with non-traditional defense forces for disaster, biological, or environmental situations."

"Another requirement is to adjust the organizational structure towards dual-use, so that technical, logistics, or industrial units can serve both combat missions and socio-economic development tasks. Finally, enhancing inter-service coordination on a digital platform is crucial, because in modern warfare, speed and accuracy are decisive factors."

"The all-people national defense and people's security posture face many non-traditional threats. In your opinion, how should coordination mechanisms among forces be adjusted to operate more effectively?"

"In recent times, coordination has generally been effective, especially in preventing and combating floods, droughts, and ensuring cybersecurity. However, to better meet new requirements, I believe it is necessary to complete the legal framework for civil defense and non-traditional security, clearly defining roles and authorities in various situations such as extreme natural disasters, epidemics, cyberattacks, or energy and food crises."

"The State needs policies to establish a non-traditional security operations center, integrated from central to local levels. This center would integrate digital maps, population data, environmental resources, and disaster warning systems to ensure rapid and accurate responses. Alongside this, enhancing the capacity of citizens and businesses is vital, because the all-people national defense posture is only strong when citizens have basic knowledge of cyber defense, disaster prevention, and biosecurity, and businesses fully fulfill their responsibilities regarding supply chains and critical infrastructure."

"In the 2026-2030 period, what should the National Defense - Security section of the document emphasize to align with the new context, major general?"

"The draft document has covered the topic quite comprehensively. However, in the context of the strong development of the 4.0 technological revolution, it is necessary to further emphasize the task of protecting digital sovereignty and national data security. The more digitized we become, the greater the risks of cyberattacks, data leaks, and information manipulation. Therefore, this issue must be regarded as a strategic national security concern."

"Moreover, as strategic competition among major powers intensifies, we must continue an independent, self-reliant, and multilateral foreign policy, and strengthen defense and security diplomacy in a balanced, trustworthy, and substantive manner. Completing the regional defense and national civil defense models is also very important, especially as the two-tier local government model is being implemented."

"Each locality needs a defense plan tailored to its specific characteristics, from coastal areas and borders to major cities or key industrial zones. And, of course, the role of science and technology must be appropriately elevated, because a modern national defense cannot be built without technologies such as artificial intelligence, outer space, sensors, new materials, or semiconductors."

Son Ha