In his article "Forever worthy of the title Uncle Ho's Soldiers", published on 23/9, Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the army has grown under the leadership of the Party and the guidance of President Ho Chi Minh. Over eight decades, whether in war or peace, the army has excellently fulfilled its duties, serving as a shock force against foreign aggression, pioneering in mobilizing the masses, and leading in production labor. This echoes President Ho Chi Minh's praise: "Loyal to the Party, devoted to the people, fulfilling every task, overcoming every difficulty, and defeating every enemy."

According to the General Secretary, the 2020-2025 term of the Army Party Committee was a challenging period. The country was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and climate change, while having to streamline the apparatus, implement the two-tier local government model, and restructure the socio-economic development space. In this context, the entire army upheld its heroic traditions, demonstrating the mettle, intellect, and qualities of Uncle Ho's Soldiers in the new era.

A key achievement was the adjustment of organization and forces towards a leaner, stronger, more mobile, and flexible structure. The standing forces are closely linked with the widespread militia and self-defense forces and a strong reserve force. Many units have been consolidated, and their organization and equipment have been arranged to suit the national defense strategy and modern warfare. This forms the basis for building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern army.

Party General Secretary To Lam. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Party General Secretary To Lam. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Alongside force restructuring, the quality of training and combat readiness has been enhanced. Large-scale exercises with live ammunition, civil defense, and regional defense have been deployed synchronously, honing organizational, command, and joint combat capabilities. The capacity for situational awareness, strategic forecasting, and advising the Party and State in handling defense and security situations has become increasingly proactive and flexible, contributing to maintaining independence and sovereignty, and preventing passive or unexpected situations.

Beyond its combat role, the army has also affirmed its role as a task force. During epidemics, natural disasters, floods, landslides, or forest fires, soldiers are always present in the most difficult places, becoming a source of trust for the people. "The troops have truly become a solid support in times of danger," the General Secretary wrote.

The army also promotes its function as a production labor force, participating in infrastructure development in remote, border, and island areas; effectively exploiting defense-economic projects; contributing to poverty reduction; and consolidating the "people's hearts and minds defense posture". The defense industry has transformed itself, mastering many technologies, successfully producing modern weapons and technical equipment, while also developing dual-use products serving both defense and civilian life, creating dual economic-social and security value.

Defense external relations have been expanded, with the army proactively engaging in bilateral and multilateral cooperation and actively participating in international forums. Vietnam's United Nations peacekeeping units have performed well, leaving a positive image of the country, its people, and its army in the eyes of international friends.

In addition, political and ideological work has been widely organized. Emulation movements and the campaign "Promoting tradition, contributing talent, worthy of Uncle Ho's Soldiers in the new era" have aroused responsibility and determination, strengthening faith and absolute loyalty.

On that foundation, the 2020-2025 term has witnessed many outstanding and comprehensive achievements. The army has excellently fulfilled all three basic functions, affirming its core role in the cause of national construction and defense.

Military units participating in the parade on the 80th National Day march on Hung Vuong Street. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Military units participating in the parade on the 80th National Day march on Hung Vuong Street. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

However, the international and regional context continues to evolve complexly. Strategic competition among major countries is increasing; traditional and non-traditional security challenges are intertwined; the Asia-Pacific region, including the East Sea, harbors many unpredictable instabilities. These factors pose new and higher demands on the army.

The General Secretary emphasized that the task for the 2025-2030 period is "extremely heavy but also glorious". The army must enhance its leadership capacity and combat strength, upholding the principle of absolute and direct Party leadership in all aspects. The entire army needs to proactively grasp the situation, make accurate forecasts, and provide timely advice to the Party and State; while perfecting the military-defense institutions and effectively mobilizing resources to build a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern army with firm political mettle and high scientific and technological proficiency.

The central orientation is to continue promoting the three functions: combat force, task force, and production labor force. The army plays a core role in building a whole-people defense posture associated with the people's security posture; consolidating the regional defense system; closely combining defense with economics, culture, society, and foreign affairs to create comprehensive strength, turning the "people's hearts and minds defense posture" into a solid foundation for national defense.

In the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the army must take the lead in researching, applying, and mastering military science and technology, promoting comprehensive digital transformation, and developing modern combat capabilities, especially in cyberspace, electronics, and space. The defense industry must receive in-depth investment, with the construction of modern research institutes and factories, manufacturing high-tech weapons and equipment, and developing dual-use products. Combining defense with economics will both ensure independence and autonomy and directly contribute to national development.

Military equipment at the parade commemorating the 80th National Day. Photo: Thanh Tung

Military equipment at the parade commemorating the 80th National Day. Photo: Thanh Tung

The General Secretary also emphasized Party building within the army. The Army Party Committee needs to be pure, strong, and truly exemplary; enhance its capacity to concretize and implement the Party's resolutions and guidelines; innovate ideological work, inspection, and supervision; build a contingent of cadres and party members with qualities, capacity, and prestige commensurate with their tasks; and maintain unity, discipline, and order.

Another key point emphasized by the General Secretary is the long-term strategy for talent. The army must focus on discovering, fostering, and utilizing high-quality human resources; selecting young cadres and soldiers with qualities, capacity, and a desire to contribute, ready to shoulder important responsibilities. The entire army needs to consider the development of high-quality human resources as a central task, linked with improving training quality, combining science and technology with education, and building a generation of officers and soldiers with knowledge, bravery, and a spirit of dedication.

Promoting the tradition of the heroic Army of a heroic nation, in the coming term, the Army Party Committee and the entire army need to continue affirming their particularly important role in the revolutionary cause; always being a loyal and reliable political and fighting force of the Party, State, and People.

"It is necessary to effectively implement the goal of building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern People's Army, ready to accept and excellently complete all tasks, contributing to firmly building and defending the Fatherland in the new era of development," the General Secretary said.

Vu Tuan