General Secretary To Lam . Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN
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THE PEOPLE'S ARMY MARCHES STEADFAST UNDER THE GLORIOUS BANNER OF THE PARTY
To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam , Secretary of the Central Military Commission
Having gone through more than eight decades of building, fighting, winning, and maturing, the Vietnam People's Army has always clearly demonstrated its revolutionary nature, worthy of President Ho Chi Minh's praise: "Our army is loyal to the Party, devoted to the people, ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for socialism. It completes every task, overcomes every difficulty, and defeats every enemy." Under the glorious banner of the Party, the People's Army will forever be a reliable political force, absolutely loyal, and worthy of the trust and love of the Party, the State, and the people.
Eighty-one years ago, in the forest between the two districts of Hoang Hoa Tham and Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province, following the directive of leader Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army, with 34 soldiers in "brown trousers and cloth shirts"—the predecessor of the Vietnam People's Army—was established. Throughout its development, combat, and growth, our Army has been the core force, together with the entire Party and people, achieving many glorious victories in the cause of national liberation, building and defending the Fatherland. These victories are the culmination and convergence of many factors, among which the absolute and direct leadership of the Party over the Army in all aspects is the decisive factor.
The founding ceremony of the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army, December 22, 1944. Photo: VNA archives.
The Party's leadership over the Army was affirmed in the 1930 "Brief Political Program" with the strategic idea of "organizing a worker-peasant army ," considering the building of the armed forces as a key factor in successfully achieving national liberation and defending the Fatherland. This fundamental viewpoint was the starting point for creating a new model of army with a working-class nature, absolutely loyal to the goals of national independence and socialism.
With a consistent military line, the Party built the armed forces from initial worker-peasant self-defense organizations, gradually developing them into guerrilla units, combat self-defense forces, and by December 1944, the Vietnam Liberation Propaganda Team was established, placed under the direct leadership of the Party, through Party branches, to lead the implementation of tasks absolutely and directly. The Party organization within the Army created a high degree of unity in will, discipline, and fighting spirit, helping our Army win from the very first battles, opening the tradition of "Determined to fight, determined to win." The Party's leadership continued to be clearly demonstrated in the August 1945 General Uprising. Under the wise guidance of the Central Party Committee and President Ho Chi Minh, the revolutionary armed forces played a vanguard role, coordinating with the political forces of the masses to rise up and seize power throughout the country.
On the afternoon of May 7, 1954, the "Determined to Fight - Determined to Win" flag of the Vietnam People's Army flew atop General De Castries' bunker. The historic Dien Bien Phu campaign had achieved complete victory. Photo: VNA archives.
During the resistance war against French colonial aggression, the Party's leadership over the Army was concentrated in the policy of "total, comprehensive, protracted resistance, relying primarily on our own strength ." Thanks to this, our Army, from a young force, developed into a main force with increasingly sophisticated organization and combat tactics, achieving the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu, "renowned throughout the world and shaking the globe," marking the beginning of the collapse of colonialism and strongly encouraging the national liberation movements worldwide.
During the war against the US, the Party's leadership became even more powerful. The Party advocated combining military struggle with political and diplomatic struggle; directed the building of the three branches of the armed forces; and developed the people's war strategy. The army launched decisive strategic campaigns, especially the Spring 1975 General Offensive and Uprising, culminating in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, which successfully concluded the war against the US, gloriously completing the cause of national liberation and reunification, and writing a heroic chapter in the history of the Ho Chi Minh era.
Liberation Army tanks enter the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975. (Photo: Tran Mai Huong/VNA)
Under the leadership of the Party, our Army fought and won victories in the war to defend the Fatherland on the Southwestern and Northern borders; fulfilled noble international obligations, helping the Lao people protect the achievements of the revolution, and helping the Cambodian people escape genocide.
The victory in the resistance war against colonialism and imperialism, protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, affirmed the indomitable will of the entire Party, army, and people, demonstrating the immense strength of the great unity between the military and the people under the leadership of the Party and the core role of the army. This victory not only contributed to creating a peaceful and stable environment for domestic development but also helped maintain peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the world.
Military units march at the commemoration ceremony, parade, and march marking the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025). Photo: Doan Tan/TTXVN
Following the Party's reform line, the Army continues to affirm its role as a reliable political force of the Party, State, and people. The entire army has excellently fulfilled all three functions: a fighting force, a working force, and a productive labor force. The Army always proactively grasps the situation, enhances its strategic planning capabilities, and effectively handles situations, preventing passivity and surprise; especially in protecting maritime sovereignty and islands, maintaining independence and territorial integrity; contributing to consolidating the all-people national defense system linked to the people's security posture, creating a proactive defense posture, and building a solid defense zone. Defense diplomacy has been strengthened, making a positive contribution to a peaceful and stable environment for national development. The Army always sets an example in Party building and rectification; takes the lead in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style; and combats erroneous and hostile viewpoints.
Under the leadership of the Party, the Army has always upheld the spirit of self-reliance and self-strength, actively participating in the construction and development of socio-economic affairs, making important contributions to the success of the reform process. The entire army has performed well in "combat missions in peacetime," playing a core role in assisting the people in disaster prevention and mitigation, rescue operations, poverty reduction, building new rural areas, and strengthening local political foundations. The image of army officers and soldiers always present in critical, difficult, and dangerous places, sacrificing themselves to protect the lives and property of the people, has enhanced the qualities and traditions of the Ho Chi Minh Army in the new era, strengthening the close blood-and-flesh relationship between the army and the people, and building a solid "people's defense posture."
General Secretary To Lam delivers a directive speech at the 12th Congress of the Party Committee of the Vietnam People's Army. Photo: Thong Nhat/TTXVN.
Entering a new stage of development, the international and regional situation continues to evolve rapidly and complexly, harboring many unpredictable factors. Strategic competition among major powers is increasing; traditional and non-traditional security challenges are intertwined, comprehensively impacting the task of national defense. Domestically, after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renovation), our country's strength and position have continuously grown, but the cause of consolidating national defense and protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity faces new demands. The task of defending the Fatherland and building a "revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern" army places higher, more proactive, and stronger requirements on the nation. To continue to maintain and enhance the role of the Army in building, developing, and defending the Fatherland in the new era, the Party Committee of the Army and the entire armed forces need to focus on effectively implementing the following key and crucial tasks:
Firstly, we must firmly uphold and strengthen the absolute and direct leadership of the Party over the Army in all aspects. This is a vital issue, determining the nature and strength of our Army. Under any circumstances, the principle of Party leadership over the Army is a prerequisite. We must maintain the revolutionary nature and steadfastly adhere to Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in building and organizing the implementation of the Army's functions and tasks.
The Party Committee of the Army must consistently and thoroughly understand and strictly implement the Party's viewpoints and guidelines on military affairs, national defense, and safeguarding the Fatherland; first and foremost, Resolution No. 44-NQ/TW of the 13th Central Committee on the Strategy for National Defense in the New Situation. It must accurately grasp and predict the situation, promptly advise and effectively handle situations related to national defense, and absolutely avoid being caught off guard in any situation. At the same time, it must effectively fulfill its function of advising the Party and the State in the field of military affairs and national defense; effectively implement the resolutions and directives of the Party and the State on building the People's Armed Forces, building a solid national defense system, and a national defense posture linked with a people's security posture; and improve the overall quality and combat strength of the army.
In achieving the strategic goals of the 100th anniversary under the Party's leadership and the 100th anniversary of the nation's founding, the Army must be one of the core forces continuing to advise the Party and the State on seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges; it must truly be a fighting force, a working force, and a labor and production force; in particular, it must effectively implement breakthroughs in the development of the defense industry to meet the requirements of modernization, within the overall framework of building an independent and self-reliant economy. At the same time, it must strengthen its contribution to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world.
Conference summarizing the work of inspection, supervision and disciplinary enforcement within the Party Committee of the Army for the 2020-2025 term. Photo: Trong Duc/TTXVN
Secondly, focus on building a truly clean, strong, comprehensive, exemplary, and outstanding Party organization within the Army. This is a decisive factor in maintaining the absolute and direct leadership of the Party over the Army in all aspects and ensuring the Army successfully fulfills all its tasks.
The Party Committee of the Army must continue to thoroughly understand and strictly implement the resolutions, directives, regulations, and conclusions of the Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Central Military Commission on Party building; linking the Central Committee's Resolution on Party building and rectification with the implementation of the Directive on studying and following the thoughts, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh and Resolution No. 847-NQ/QUTW of the Central Military Commission on promoting the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, resolutely combating individualism in the new situation. It must focus on building a strong Party Committee of the Army, first and foremost politically, steadfastly adhering to Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and the goal of national independence linked with socialism; upholding the principles of democratic centralism, collective leadership, individual responsibility, self-criticism and criticism; and strengthening unity and cohesion within the Party.
At the same time, prioritize innovation in the content and methods of leadership, especially at the grassroots level. Link the building of clean and strong Party organizations with the building of comprehensively strong, exemplary, and outstanding agencies and units; build a healthy, democratic, and highly disciplined military cultural environment; resolutely fight against corruption, negativity, waste, bureaucracy, hypocrisy, and any manifestations of alienation from the people that harm the prestige of the Party and the Army.
Tanks and infantry of the Cuu Long Army Corps train in attacking and destroying enemy targets. Photo: Trong Duc/TTXVN.
The Command of Naval Region 2 organizes training to ensure readiness to fulfill all assigned tasks and firmly protect the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands. Photo: VNA
Thirdly, continuously improve the comprehensive leadership capacity and combat strength of the Party Committee of the Army, and the effectiveness of Party work and political work.
First and foremost, focus on reviewing, amending, and supplementing regulations and rules, and perfecting the Party's leadership mechanism over the Army in the new situation. Timely consolidate Party committees and organizations at all levels in sync with the adjustments to the Army's organization. Strictly adhere to the principles of Party organization and operation, effectively promote self-criticism and criticism; and conduct substantive and accurate evaluations of Party organizations and members.
Innovate the content and methods, and improve the quality of Party branch activities, political acumen, leadership capacity, skills, and professional expertise of grassroots Party committee members. Coordinate and direct efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of leadership in implementing local military and national defense tasks, border defense work, and the activities of commune-level military Party branches according to the two-tiered local government organizational model.
Party work and political work must truly be the central focus, guiding and spreading throughout the entire army. Party committees, leading cadres, and political agencies need to closely monitor the situation and promptly concretize the Party's guidelines and policies into appropriate programs and plans. They must proactively grasp and accurately predict the thoughts of the troops, provide timely guidance, and maintain unity and cohesion. They must closely integrate ideological work with organizational work, personnel management, mass mobilization, policy, internal political security, and inspection and supervision, creating a combined strength from each agency and unit. Strengthening personnel work, building a team of qualified experts and political scientists, and attracting talent to meet new requirements are also crucial.
The Navy has gradually developed all its components, with many modern, next-generation vehicles, weapons, and technical equipment. Photo: VNA
Armored and infantry forces practice coordinated combat. Photo: Trong Duc/TTXVN
Fourth, resolutely fight to thwart the conspiracies, schemes, and subversive activities of hostile forces.
Currently, hostile, reactionary, and politically opportunistic forces are intensifying "peaceful evolution," promoting "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party, especially before, during, and after the 14th National Congress of the Party. Party committees, Party organizations, and political agencies at all levels must continue to thoroughly understand and strictly implement Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW of the Politburo on strengthening the protection of the Party's ideological foundation and combating erroneous and hostile viewpoints in the new situation, in conjunction with the programs and plans of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense. They must proactively build specialized, core forces to fight on the ideological and theoretical front, especially in cyberspace; closely combining construction and combat.
Strengthen the building and rectification of the Party and the political system to ensure its purity and strength; uphold the principles of Party organization and activities, and maintain Party discipline and order. Enhance education and training to improve the political and ideological "resistance" and "immunity" of cadres and soldiers against harmful and toxic information. Promote the role of information, propaganda, journalism, and publishing; closely adhere to the revolutionary tasks of the army, maintain the correct political orientation, viewpoints, and guidelines of the Party; and actively combat erroneous and hostile viewpoints.
Over the years, the Vietnam People's Army has participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations and achieved many important results, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA
Proud of the glorious 81-year tradition of the heroic Vietnam People's Army, the Party, State, and people of Vietnam always trust that our Army will continue to uphold its fine qualities, build a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern People's Army, firmly defend the Fatherland, and contribute to building a peaceful, prosperous, and happy country in the new era of the nation.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/chinh-polit/bai-viet-cua-tong-bi-thu-to-lam-quan-doi-nhan-dan-vung-buoc-duoi-co-dang-quang-vinh-20251220180601741.htm
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