The congress, attended by over 700 delegates, honored 304 outstanding groups and individuals from the 2020-2025 period. Attendees included leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, and Army, representatives from central agencies, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.

Memories of the Lang Nu Rescue

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Ba, commander of the 98th Regiment, 316th Division, recounted the days he and over 300 officers and soldiers embarked on a rescue mission to Lang Nu village, Phuc Khanh commune (Lao Cai) after Typhoon Yagi in 2024. The flash flood on the morning of 10/9 nearly wiped out the village at the foot of Voi Mountain. The sole access road was destroyed by landslides, forcing the soldiers to march on foot to find a way in. The devastation of the Tay ethnic village brought many soldiers to tears.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Ba, commander of the 98th Regiment, 316th Division, shared the story of the two-week Lang Nu rescue mission involving 300 officers and soldiers. Photo: Hoang Phong

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Ba, commander of the 98th Regiment, 316th Division, shared the story of the two-week Lang Nu rescue mission involving 300 officers and soldiers. Photo: Hoang Phong

During the two-week rescue, the soldiers faced mud, the stench of decay, and the constant threat of further landslides. Many soldiers were injured, including Private Thao Mi Linh, who had a nail pierce his foot but insisted on staying. Ten soldiers volunteered to carry and bury the bodies of the victims.

"We share these stories not to boast, but to remind each other that this is a command from the heart - ethnic love, solidarity, and the tradition of our army," said Lieutenant Colonel Ba. His greatest regret was not being able to recover all the bodies to return to their families.

On the day of their departure, the villagers bid farewell to the soldiers with cassava, sticky rice, and a national flag. That flag is now displayed at the 316th Division's tradition house, a reminder to the officers and soldiers of their duty to the people. "In disaster prevention and search and rescue, we must cultivate a spirit of overcoming hardship and effectively implement the motto of '4 on-site - 3 close - 5 together' with the people," he said.

The Journey of a Blue Beret

Major Vu Nhat Huong, Assistant to the International Cooperation Department, Peacekeeping Department, represented 95 female military personnel out of a total of 1,077 Ministry of National Defense officers who have served and are serving in UN missions.

Major Vu Nhat Huong from the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department shared her journey serving in the UN on the afternoon of 24/9. Photo: Hoang Phong

Major Vu Nhat Huong from the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department shared her journey serving in the UN on the afternoon of 24/9. Photo: Hoang Phong

In 11/2021, Huong became the seventh Vietnamese female soldier to go to the Central African Republic, serving as the first communications officer. In her early days at the mission, she faced harsh weather, insecurity, and the Covid-19 pandemic. "There were times of tension with gunfire at night, and times of homesickness, but I always reminded myself that I carried a national mission and couldn't allow myself to be weak," she said.

As a communications officer, Huong connected the mission with the local community, reflecting the efforts of the blue helmets in protecting civilians. Her team provided over 200 sets of school supplies, clothes, and essential items to children in orphanages and schools, and provided healthcare to over 300 women.

"During a peace festival, a Central African child held my hand tightly and said 'Merci Vietnam' in French. At that moment, I understood that all the effort and sacrifice was worthwhile," Huong said, expressing her hope that more Vietnamese female soldiers would be given the opportunity to serve in UN peacekeeping missions.

Emulation must be the daily rhythm of the army

Listening to these stories, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the congress was a day to honor the will, discipline, strength, wisdom, and dedication of Uncle Ho's soldiers. He congratulated the 54 national emulation heroes and soldiers, the 304 exemplary groups and individuals, and the hundreds of thousands of groups, officers, and soldiers throughout the army who have been honored over the past 5 years.

The General Secretary recalled that since the establishment of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army, the Determined-to-Win Emulation Movement of the Army has been integrated into the nation's shared patriotic emulation. Thanks to emulation, units have specific goals, each person has clear tasks, discipline becomes strength, initiatives become resources, thereby forming the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers - humble yet resilient, disciplined yet creative, decisive and compassionate, determined to fight and win.

According to the General Secretary, the value of Determined-to-Win Emulation lies in its continuity and depth. It is not a spontaneous movement, but the "rhythm of life." Each day a criterion, each week a practical task, each month an initiative, each quarter a solid result. The starting point is the soldier; the core is the squad; the driving force is the platoon and company; the decisive factor is the Party committees and commanders at all levels.

"Emulation is not about chasing achievements, but is the daily bread and water in the military environment; it must be accurate, follow the correct procedures, be safe, effective, and suitable for modern combat situations," he emphasized.

General Secretary To Lam, along with leaders and former leaders of the Ministry of National Defense, viewed the weapons and equipment displayed by the units at the congress. Photo: Hoang Phong

General Secretary To Lam, along with leaders and former leaders of the Ministry of National Defense, viewed the weapons and equipment displayed by the units at the congress. Photo: Hoang Phong

The Party leader stated that in the coming period, the global and regional situation would remain volatile and unpredictable, with high-tech warfare and non-traditional security threats increasing. The new requirements demand that the army be both regular, elite, and modern, as well as mobile, flexible, and digitally savvy. Determined-to-Win Emulation in this context becomes the "operating system" for the fighting force, with near-real combat training as the axis, mastery of high-tech weapons as a mandatory indicator, and discipline and safety as red lines.

The General Secretary urged the entire army to continue promoting emulation in the field of science and technology, avoiding formalism or chasing superficial targets, and prioritizing quality, effectiveness, and depth. "Emulation must make people better, units stronger, work smoother, and military-civilian relations more solid," he said.

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, summarized that over the past 5 years, emulation work has motivated officers and soldiers throughout the army to "promote patriotism, glorious traditions, and outstandingly fulfill their tasks." The relatable stories and creative approaches of the exemplary individuals are valuable lessons for the entire army to learn from. The Determined-to-Win Emulation Movement has produced many heroic laborers and good people doing good deeds.

"The entire army needs to uphold the spirit of creativity and promote the Determined-to-Win Emulation Movement for the 2025-2030 period with the theme of 'Unity - Discipline - Creativity - Victory'," the Minister assigned.

At the congress, the General Secretary presented the Ministry of National Defense with a banner embroidered with 16 words: Loyal and Steadfast - United and Disciplined - Breakthrough Development - Determined to Fight and Win. Earlier, he, along with Minister Phan Van Giang and other delegates, visited the weapons and equipment exhibition of the General Department of Logistics and Technology, the General Department of Defense Industry, and Viettel.

Concluding the Determined-to-Win Emulation Movement for the 2020-2025 period, the Ministry of National Defense awarded emulation flags to 84 groups, certificates of merit to 151 groups, and 158 individuals.

Hoang Phuong