Promoting the 80-year tradition of the heroic Vietnam People's Army, Dien Bien armed forces are determined to excellently complete all assigned tasks.

The Vietnam People's Army is a revolutionary armed force, established on December 22, 1944 in the Viet Bac resistance base, with the original name of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army. After 80 years of construction and development, the Vietnam People's Army has affirmed itself as the key and important force in the cause of protecting national independence, a symbol of sacrifice, loyalty to the Party, and filial piety to the people. Through each historical period, our Army has constantly trained, matured, and built the tradition of "Once in battle, we must win". Each milestone in the past 80 years has clearly demonstrated the spirit of determination to fight, determination to win, and blood ties with the people, with the army and people being of one mind.

Comrade Tran Quoc Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee visited and worked with the Provincial Military Command. Photo: Duc Hanh

On the first day of its establishment, with only 34 soldiers, lacking equipment, each soldier carried the noble ideal of defending the Fatherland and regaining independence for the nation. Under the leadership of the Party, our Army raised high the flag of "Determination to die for the Fatherland, determination to live", together with the people of the whole country, carried out a long-term resistance war, establishing many glorious feats such as: Song Lo Victory, Autumn - Winter 1947; Border Victory in 1950; Peace Victory in 1952; Northwest Victory in 1952 and the Winter - Spring Campaign of 1953 - 1954, the culmination of which was the Dien Bien Phu Victory "famous in five continents, shaking the world"...

The victory of Dien Bien Phu is a testament to the creative spirit, “knowing how to fight and win” of the Vietnam People’s Army. Under the leadership of the Party and Uncle Ho, our Army combined people’s war with conventional war, combining the strength of the army and people to defeat the enemy. This victory clearly demonstrated the close bond between the army and people to defeat a well-equipped, modern, combat-ready colonial army.

In the resistance war against the US imperialists, with the spirit of “Determination to fight, determination to win”, the Vietnam People’s Army overcame all difficulties and challenges, winning one victory after another. Together with the people of the whole country, our Army defeated and bankrupted the strategies of “Local War”, “Special War”, and “Vietnamization of War” of the invading imperialists. In particular, the victory of Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air in 1972 affirmed the fighting and winning ability of our Army when facing enemies with superior military strength, seemingly “invincible”.

In the spring of 1975, our Army launched three strategic attacks: the Central Highlands Campaign, starting with a breakthrough to capture Buon Ma Thuot, liberating the Central Highlands; the Hue - Da Nang Liberation Campaign and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign to liberate Saigon - Gia Dinh. With the guiding ideology of "lightning speed, boldness, surprise, sure victory", the Determined to Fight, Determined to Win flag of our Army flew on the roof of the Independence Palace, completely liberating the South. The country was unified, opening an era of peace and development for Vietnam.

During the war to protect the southwestern border, under the leadership of the Party, our army and people counterattacked and attacked, defeated the invasion of the reactionary group, helped the revolutionary armed forces and the Cambodian people overthrow the genocidal regime of Pol Pot - Ieng Sary, revived and rebuilt the country.

During the war to protect the northern border, local armed forces and militias, in coordination with a part of the main force and ethnic people in the border areas, fought bravely to firmly protect every inch of the sacred land of the Fatherland.

Over 80 years of construction and development, the Vietnam People's Army has always been absolutely loyal, maintaining its role as a reliable force of the Party, State and People, and excellently completing the task of protecting national independence and sovereignty and the socialist regime. The Vietnam People's Army has always been closely attached to the people, implementing the motto "the army and the people are like fish and water", creating a combined strength, helping the army overcome all difficulties and challenges.

During the renovation period, the Vietnam People's Army continues to promote its heroic tradition, focusing on comprehensive development from military to politics, ideology, culture and technology, meeting the requirements of protecting the Fatherland in the period of integration and development. The officers and soldiers of the armed forces not only firmly protect the borders and islands, but also actively contribute to economic development, infrastructure construction, helping people to work and produce, sustainable poverty reduction; preventing and fighting natural disasters and epidemics, worthy of the proud title "Combat Army, Working Army, Production Labor Army".

To contribute to the Army in building a strong national defense, on October 17, 1989, the Central Party Secretariat (term VI) decided to take the founding day of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22) as the National Defense Day. This is an important milestone in building the national defense. After 35 years of implementation under the leadership and direction of Party committees and authorities at all levels, with specific and practical activities, the national defense has achieved important achievements: Maintaining independence, territorial integrity and socialist orientation; ensuring a stable and peaceful environment for national development. Defeating all plots and sabotage tricks of hostile forces. The strength to protect the Fatherland has been strengthened; the "national defense" posture has been deployed widely, closely and continuously. The armed forces, with the core being the People's Army, have increasingly high overall quality and combat strength. Raising awareness and sense of responsibility of the whole society and all classes of people towards the task of protecting and defending the Fatherland in the new situation.

Inheriting the heroic tradition of the Vietnam People's Army, over the past 75 years, under the regular and direct leadership and direction of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee, together with the love, care, and support of the people of all ethnic groups, the provincial armed forces (established on July 12, 1949) have continuously grown and matured in all aspects, excellently completing all assigned tasks. During the long resistance war against French colonialism, our provincial armed forces made an important contribution to building revolutionary bases, building forces, preparing battlefields, and organizing many battles. During the 1953-1954 Winter-Spring campaign, the peak of which was the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, the army and people of all ethnic groups in the province contributed 2,666 tons of rice, 266 tons of meat, and 210 tons of vegetables; mobilized 16,972 laborers with 568,139 working days, 348 pack horses, 38 rafts, and more than 25,070 trees of various types to serve the campaign. From the beginning of March to the end of April 1954, local troops and guerrillas, with the reinforcement of the main force, crushed large bandit clusters in Muong Te, Sin Ho, Muong Lay, Quynh Nhai... contributing significantly to the Dien Bien Phu Victory "famous in five continents, shaking the world".

During the resistance war against the imperialist invaders, the army and people of the province made the greatest effort to support the Southern battlefield with human and material resources; to protect and build socialism in the North. Against the destructive war of the American imperialists in the North, the provincial armed forces, mainly local troops and militia, coordinated to shoot down 14 planes and injure 45 others. From 1965 to 1975, 9,274 young people and cadres, children of ethnic minorities in our province, joined the army to fight against the imperialist invaders. Following President Ho Chi Minh's teaching "Helping friends is helping yourself", from 1966 to December 1973, the provincial armed forces fought side by side with the army and people of 4 provinces of Northern Laos to organize 150 battles, kill 478 enemies, capture 219 alive, call 541 to surrender, and destroy many enemy planes and vehicles. Thereby contributing to building the solidarity between Vietnam and Laos "Forever green, forever sustainable". In the fight to protect the northern border, the armed forces and the people of all ethnic groups in our province fought bravely and steadfastly. Many collectives and individuals were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces and many other noble awards and titles.

Located in the Northwest of the country, with a national border with the Lao People's Democratic Republic and China, Dien Bien province holds an important strategic position in terms of economy - society, national defense - security in the common defense of Military Region 2 and the whole country. The Party Committee, government, armed forces and people of all ethnic groups in our province have constantly promoted the heroic Dien Bien Phu tradition, striving to achieve many great achievements. The economy has grown and developed; the political system from the province to the grassroots has been consolidated; the tradition of solidarity within the Party Committee and people of all ethnic groups has been promoted; national defense - security potential has been constantly strengthened; the defense area has been firmly built; foreign relations have been expanded; people's lives have been increasingly improved.

In recent years, our province has faced many difficulties and challenges due to the impact of the world and regional situation and the severe consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic; the impact of climate change, natural disasters, storms and floods; hostile forces have increased sabotage activities with the strategy of "peaceful evolution", promoting "self-evolution", "self-transformation" within the country, "depoliticization" of the armed forces. Traditional and non-traditional security challenges have evolved complicatedly. However, with the high determination in the leadership and direction of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and Provincial People's Committee, together with the solidarity, consensus, efforts, and joint efforts of Party committees at all levels, Party organizations, authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, all levels, sectors, armed forces, business communities and people of all ethnic groups, we strive to achieve the highest goal of controlling the epidemic well, promoting socio-economic development, and ensuring national defense and security.

The province's achievements have important contributions from the provincial armed forces. Through practical emulation movements to win, with strong influence, suitable to the functions and tasks of each unit, it has encouraged cadres and soldiers to unite, be creative, and strive to achieve many achievements. The armed forces always grasp the local situation, promptly advise the Party committees and authorities at all levels to handle complex issues well, not to be passive or surprised in any situation. Upholding the spirit of responsibility, not afraid of difficulties, closely coordinating with functional forces to promote the core role in preventing and fighting natural disasters, epidemics, and rescue. Coordinating to absolutely protect the safety of key targets and projects; political, economic, cultural and social events in the province; Delegations of leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, international delegates visited, worked, participated in political events in the province, most recently ensuring absolute safety for activities celebrating the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory.

The movements of “Repaying gratitude”, “Skillful mass mobilization”, “Army joins hands to build new countryside” have motivated the provincial armed forces to perform well the function of “Working Army”. Officers and soldiers actively help people overcome the consequences of natural disasters, epidemics, and sustainably reduce poverty, contributing to building an increasingly solid “people's hearts and minds”. In particular, the provincial armed forces have established 15 working groups and teams to participate in building 86 strong and comprehensive communes and wards.

In the new situation, the task of protecting the Fatherland and the local military and defense tasks pose increasingly high demands, requiring the provincial armed forces to continue to strongly promote the tradition of the Vietnam People's Army and the heroic Dien Bien Phu tradition, focusing on the following main tasks:

Firstly, continue to thoroughly grasp Ho Chi Minh's thought, the Party's guidelines, policies, and the State's laws; resolutions, directives, plans, and instructions of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, Military Region 2, the Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial People's Committee on the task of protecting the Fatherland and local military and defense tasks. Grasp and correctly assess the situation, prepare well plans, and advise on timely and effective handling of situations. Advise local Party committees and authorities to effectively implement Resolution 8 of the Central Committee (term XIII) on "Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in the new situation" in the province.

Second, improve the quality of political education, training, and combat readiness; build a revolutionary, disciplined, and gradually modern provincial armed force. Focus on educating and equipping officers and soldiers with political knowledge about the task of protecting the Fatherland and protecting the people. Provide systematic and in-depth training in modern techniques and tactics. Update, apply, and master modern military technologies, and strengthen training in information warfare. Strengthen drills and practical training to improve the ability to coordinate with other forces in all situations. Strengthen coordination between the army and local authorities, other forces, and people in disaster prevention, control, and rescue.

Third, build a strong "National Defense Position". Closely coordinate functional forces with agencies, departments and branches in protecting political security, social order and safety and fighting against crimes. Strengthen propaganda work, raise awareness of all classes of people about the task of protecting the Fatherland in the new situation. Closely combine socio-economic development with strengthening national defense and security. Complete the goals and tasks of building military potential and civil defense in the province's defense area.

Fourth, effectively carry out emulation movements, especially the movements "Provincial armed forces join hands to build new rural areas"; "Provincial armed forces join hands for the poor, leaving no one behind". Participate in the construction of infrastructure works, especially in mountainous and border areas. Coordinate with local authorities to implement production support programs, technology transfer, plant varieties, and livestock to help people change their habits and farming methods, develop the economy, and sustainably reduce poverty.

Fifth, improve the quality of life of officers and soldiers; increase investment in infrastructure, especially for units stationed in mountainous and border areas. Ensure spiritual and material life to create conditions for officers and soldiers to work with peace of mind and complete their tasks well.

Comrade TRAN QUOC CUONG

Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Military Party Committee

Source: https://baodienbienphu.com.vn/bai-thuong/quoc-phong/phat-huy-truyen-thong-80-nam-quan-doi-nhan-dan-viet-nam-anh-hung-luc-luong-vu-trang-dien-bien-quyet-tam-hoan-thanh-xuat-sac-moi-nhem-vu-duoc-giao