Since its inception, the belief in the Party, in the people, in the ideal of national independence associated with socialism has become the guiding torch, the source of strength for our Army to overcome countless challenges, and achieve glorious feats of arms. Over the past 80 years, whether in fierce war or peaceful construction, whether on the training ground, training grounds or at the front line of protecting the Fatherland, the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers still shines with noble qualities, closely attached to the people, worthy of the trust, love and expectations that the Party and people have entrusted.

The document of the 13th National Party Congress clearly affirms: The Vietnam People's Army is absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, the State and the people; steadfast in the goal of national independence and socialism; constantly improving its overall strength and combat strength, meeting the requirements of protecting the Fatherland in the new situation. That is the guideline for all actions, the foundation to ensure that our Army always maintains its revolutionary nature, overcoming all plots and sabotage tricks from hostile forces.

In the context of globalization, when the strategy of "peaceful evolution" is increasingly sophisticated, especially in cyberspace, distorted arguments such as " depoliticization of the army" and "neutral army" are launched to deny the leadership role of the Party, the steadfast belief and steadfastness of our Army are a solid ideological shield. Resolution No. 847-NQ/QUTW of the Central Military Commission emphasized: Building a politically strong army is an important and regular task, ensuring that the Army is always a loyal and trustworthy force of the Party, State and people.

The Vietnam People's Army is a political and fighting force that is absolutely loyal and trustworthy to the Party, State and people. Photo: PHU SON

That belief is not only expressed in resolutions and documents but also demonstrated by concrete actions. Not only is the force "going first, coming last" in all emergency situations, the Vietnam People's Army has been and is firmly pioneering on the front line of natural disaster prevention - a fierce form of "fighting in peacetime". In natural disaster prevention, search and rescue, the entire army has mobilized a very large force to participate in natural disaster response, search and rescue and support people in many localities.

In the face of complex and fierce natural disasters, the Army continues to promote its role as a core force. The entire Army has deployed hundreds of thousands of officers and soldiers along with tens of thousands of motor vehicles, high-speed boats, and helicopters, carrying out thousands of rescue missions in many difficult areas. From the Northern mountainous region with flash floods and landslides to the Central region with storm after storm, flood after flood; and the entire Southwest region with drought, salinity, and high tides, wherever there is the most difficulty, there are the footprints of soldiers. They not only fight floods with human strength but also with the spirit of dedication and sacrifice. In the most dangerous places, there are always soldiers ready to "forget themselves for the people, sacrifice for the people".

Soldiers of Regiment 692 (Division 301, Hanoi Capital Command) provide necessities to people affected by storm No. 11 in Thai Nguyen, October 9, 2025. Photo: THANH SON

Storms, rising waters, and soldiers arrive. And when the waters recede, the soldiers do not leave. They stay with the people to rebuild each roof, restore each road, and directly undertake the construction of urgent projects to reconnect life after natural disasters. Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Tho is a clear example. In just over 10 months since receiving the task of building the new Phong Chau Bridge, officers and soldiers from units assigned by the Ministry of National Defense have worked continuously, overcoming complex terrain and harsh weather conditions, completing the project ahead of schedule and officially putting the bridge into use on September 28, 2025. The bridge not only connects more than 15 midland communes with the development axis of Phu Tho province, but also connects the will of the Army with the trust of the people. It is not only a traffic project, but also a bridge of hope and strong military-civilian affection.

If in natural disasters, soldiers are "shields in the face of raging floods", then in epidemics, they transform into "white-shirted soldiers on the front lines". The fight against the Covid-19 pandemic has clearly shown that. When most people have to stay at home to prevent infection, tens of thousands of military officers and soldiers go straight to the epicenter. Tens of thousands of military medical officers and soldiers participate in supporting people, tracing, transporting, ensuring logistics and providing medical care in localities. "Zero-dong supermarkets", "military-civilian kitchens", trucks carrying food to every alley and lane - these are not just logistical tasks, they are the warmth of human love in times of life and death. Many soldiers have temporarily put aside family joys, not afraid of danger to bring life to their compatriots.

From natural disasters to epidemics, from storms and floods to invisible viruses, no matter what form the enemy takes, the army still has only one supreme command: Go towards the people, as long as there are people, there will be battlefields. If in war, generations of fathers and brothers "determined to die for the Fatherland", then today, soldiers in peacetime "determined to move forward regardless of whether the enemy is invisible or fierce", to protect the lives, health and trust of the people. That is the responsibility, the sacred oath of a revolutionary soldier, carried out not by slogans, but by concrete actions. The sweat, tears and even blood of soldiers are still shed in peacetime so that the people can be at peace.

Uncle Ho's soldiers in the arms of the people. Photo: PHU SON

The Vietnam People's Army has always been the leading force in mass mobilization work, helping people build new rural areas, eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, and stabilize their lives. Programs such as "Border Spring - Island Tet", "Army joins hands to build new rural areas", "Military medicine takes care of people's health" have created a strong bond between the army and the people. Our Party has repeatedly emphasized: The strength of the army comes from its flesh and blood connection with the people; and in fact, it is the closeness to the people, close to the people, for the people that has created a "soft shield" - an invisible strength that no enemy can penetrate.

On the ideological front, according to statistics in 2024, functional forces in the army discovered, fought, and handled nearly 20,000 pieces of bad and toxic information, contributing to maintaining the ideological environment, public opinion, and cyber security; at the same time, proactively propagandizing and spreading examples of good people and good deeds, building the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the hearts of the people. The Army press, the system of academies and schools actively researched, provided scientific arguments, and promptly refuted erroneous and hostile views, contributing to maintaining the Party's ideological foundation and consolidating the political and spiritual battlefield of the people.

The road ahead is full of challenges, but with the Party's wise leadership, the strength of national unity and the steadfastness of the Vietnam People's Army, we have every reason to believe in victory. The steadfast belief in the socialist ideal is the everlasting strength, the guiding torch for our Army to continue writing glorious pages of history, forever worthy of the name of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the new era, contributing to the construction and solid protection of the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

Master CHU HOANG HAI, Faculty of Military Psychology, Academy of Politics

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/cuoc-thi-viet-vung-buoc-duoi-co-dang/niem-tin-son-sat-850207