The Vietnam People's Army is an army born from the people, fighting for national independence and freedom for the people.

Editor's note: On the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2023), Hoa Binh Newspaper reporters interviewed Colonel DINH DINH TRUONG, Commander of the Provincial Military Command, about the process of fighting, building and growing of the heroic VPA.

Leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, Military Region 3, and the Provincial Military Command inspected rural infrastructure projects combined with national defense in the Yen Thuy district defense area. Photo: PV

PV: Could you please tell us about the significance of the birth of the Vietnam People's Army in the historical context of the country as well as in the process of fighting against invasion and liberating the nation?

Colonel DINH DINH TRUONG: The name "People's Army" was given by President Ho Chi Minh with the meaning "born from the people, serving the people".

In December 1944, leader Ho Chi Minh issued a Directive to establish the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army. Since its establishment, the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army has continuously grown and developed. December 22, 1944 was determined as the founding day of the Vietnam People's Army, marking the birth of a new military organization of our nation. An army of the people, by the people, for the people; always closely attached to the people, always trusted and protected by the people. The process of building, fighting and maturing our Army is closely linked to the history of heroic struggle of the nation. An army trained by the Party and Uncle Ho; an army in which generations of cadres and soldiers have taken up arms one after another to fight, together with the entire people to defeat all invaders, regain independence, unity and firmly protect the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, fulfilling glorious international obligations towards the revolutions of the two brotherly countries of Laos and Cambodia.

In 1989, according to the directive of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and the Government's decision, December 22nd of each year is not only the anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army but also the National Defense Day. Since then, every year, on this day, all Vietnamese people carry out activities focusing on the theme of national defense and the army, in order to widely propagate the nation's tradition of fighting to defend the country and the noble qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", educating patriotism for all people to take care of and strengthen national defense, build the army, and protect the Fatherland.

PV: Through the process of building, growing and developing, how has the Vietnam People's Army kept its oath of "Loyalty to the Party, filial piety to the people, ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland", comrade?

Colonel DINH DINH TRUONG: On December 22, 1964, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of our Army, President Ho Chi Minh visited and praised "Our Army is loyal to the Party, filial to the people, ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for socialism, completing every task, overcoming every difficulty, defeating every enemy". President Ho Chi Minh's compliment fully and vividly affirmed the revolutionary nature, functions, tasks, and glorious traditions of the Vietnam People's Army, which is the standard of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers".

After nearly 80 years of building, fighting and growing, under the absolute and direct leadership in all aspects of the Party, our Army has continuously grown and matured, clearly demonstrating the political mettle of a revolutionary army, closely attached to the people, and well performing the functions and tasks assigned by the Party, State and People. In combat, the Army has excellently performed its core role with the entire people in fighting the enemy for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. In labor and production, the Army has actively participated in socio-economic development, shared the joys and sorrows with the people and helped people eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of life; participated in building and maintaining political and social stability; helped people prevent and overcome the consequences of natural disasters and epidemics, and risked their lives in danger to save people's lives and property.

In particular, when the Covid-19 epidemic broke out, directly threatening the health and lives of the people, following the call of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, with the spirit of "Fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy", "putting the health and lives of the people first and foremost", "helping the people is the heart's command of the officers and soldiers", the Vietnam People's Army has highly promoted revolutionary heroism, patriotism, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland, serving the people, not afraid of sacrifice and hardship, "rushing straight" into the epidemic center, supporting localities and people to effectively prevent and fight the Covid-19 epidemic, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of the people, worthy of the noble qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the new era. At the same time, it is a pioneering force in fighting against the strategy of "peaceful evolution", wrong and hostile views, protecting the Party, protecting the regime, maintaining political security, social order and a peaceful and stable environment for national development; actively participate in protecting peace, stability, and development in the region and the world, worthy of the name Vietnam People's Army.

PV: To meet the requirements and tasks of building and protecting the Fatherland in the new situation, in your opinion, what tasks should the provincial armed forces focus on to excellently complete their tasks, worthy of the trust of the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in the province?

Colonel DINH DINH TRUONG: First of all, each officer and soldier of the provincial armed forces must constantly promote the tradition of the heroic Vietnam People's Army, striving to excellently complete all assigned tasks. Continue to thoroughly grasp the Party's military and defense guidelines and viewpoints, especially Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW, dated September 22, 2008 of the Politburo (10th tenure) on continuing to build provinces and centrally-run cities into solid defense zones (KVPT) in the new situation; Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW, dated October 25, 2013 of the 8th Conference of the Central Committee (11th tenure) on the Fatherland Defense Strategy in the new situation; Decree No. 152/2007/ND-CP, Decree No. 02/2016/ND-CP of the Government on KVPT...

In the coming time, the Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command will continue to direct the focus on improving the overall quality and combat strength of the armed forces. First of all, the standing force will follow the direction of "Revolutionary, disciplined, elite, modern"; attach importance to political quality, taking the building of political quality as the basis for improving the overall quality and combat strength of the provincial armed forces. Gradually improve quality, creating a strong change in training and exercises.

Lead and direct the building of a strong enough local military Party organization, well performing the function of advising the Party Committee and the Government to lead, direct and organize the building of all-people national defense, all-people national defense posture associated with people's security posture and building a solid KVPT. Contribute with the Party Committee, the Government and the people of all ethnic groups in the province to maintain political stability, social order and safety, prevent and defeat all plots and tricks of "peaceful evolution" and riots and overthrow by hostile forces. Successfully implement the economic, cultural - social, national defense - security goals set forth in the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress.

Direct the provincial military to take the lead in promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style in conjunction with the implementation of the campaign "Promoting tradition, dedicating talent, worthy of being Uncle Ho's soldiers" and the emulation movement Determined to win. Thereby, building a clean and strong Military Party Committee, truly a center of solidarity, a political nucleus leading the local military to successfully complete all assigned tasks.

PV: Thank you very much, comrade!

Manh Hung (TH)

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