While the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City gradually sink into the brilliant night lights, inside the barracks, training grounds, stations, and patrol teams of many units under the City Command, the atmosphere of training and performing tasks is always lively and urgent.

At the regular Militia Company rotating to focus on advanced training at the City Command, the sound of training commands still resounded. Militia soldiers were engrossed in practicing situations of maintaining security and order in residential areas, protecting important targets - one of the important contents in the unit's urban combat environment training.

Ho Chi Minh City's Standing Militia forces focus on training.

At Gia Dinh Regiment (Ho Chi Minh City Command), the training atmosphere was also lively and urgent. On the training ground, officers and soldiers of the 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Company were diligently practicing combat situations to destroy aerial targets. At the commander's command, the soldiers coordinated precisely, quickly put their guns into combat-ready positions, demonstrating a spirit of discipline and high determination, ready to firmly protect the city's sky in all situations.

The 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Company (Gia Dinh Regiment) practiced combat situations.
Ho Chi Minh City militia practice shooting AK submachine guns.

Major General Vu Van Dien, Commander of the Ho Chi Minh City Command, said: "Ho Chi Minh City is a large, densely populated city with a strategic position in terms of defense and security, many important targets, and frequent major events. Along with the rapid development speed, non-traditional security risks are always lurking. Therefore, the training of the city's armed forces must be directed closely to the local reality, closely following the training motto "Basic, practical, solid", focusing on intensive synchronous training. In particular, night training and situational training are important contents, helping officers and soldiers to practice their mettle, master techniques and tactics, and be able to complete their tasks well when situations arise, meeting the requirements of fighting to protect the Fatherland in new war conditions in urban areas."

Ho Chi Minh City militia practice martial arts during break time.

Not only tactical training, the City Command also directed units to promote the application of science and technology in drills, organize technical training combined with tactics, physical training, long-term outdoor mobility training in different terrain and weather conditions, and strengthen political training, heighten vigilance, grasp the enemy's plots and tricks, and be ready to receive and complete all tasks well.

The city has proactively invested in modernizing technical equipment and facilities and promoting the application of digital transformation in performing military and defense tasks. Many units have applied UAVs and smart surveillance devices in drills, patrols, and work...

Armored vehicle crew, Armored Battalion, General Staff, Ho Chi Minh City Command practice preparing for maneuver.

The Ho Chi Minh City Command advises on socio-economic development in conjunction with strengthening and consolidating national defense and security. The city's armed forces always proactively grasp the situation, closely coordinate with all levels and sectors, and maintain political security and social order and safety.

Not only focusing on the standing force, Ho Chi Minh City also focuses on building defense zones, national defense, a solid people's position and building a strong and widespread militia and self-defense force, and a strong reserve force. The City Command coordinates well with the City Police and other forces in maintaining security, order and social safety.

Armored vehicles of Ho Chi Minh City Command maneuver in the exercise.

Based on the characteristics and requirements of the mission, the Ho Chi Minh City Command has advised and deployed the construction of many models of maritime militia and self-defense platoons at enterprises, industrial zones, seaports, and airports that operate effectively. The reserve mobilization force has been built in sufficient quantity and quality and is periodically trained.

Mr. Tran Tan Phat, Commander of the Military Command of An Nhon Ward (Ho Chi Minh City) shared: "During the day, I and the officers and soldiers train, at night we patrol residential areas and key areas to contribute to maintaining security and order. During the implementation of our tasks, we always set an example, at the same time combine propaganda and mobilize all people to participate in protecting the neighborhood, contributing to building a safe and peaceful living environment, building solidarity between the army and the people."

Officers and soldiers of Gia Dinh Regiment practice destroying targets in an exercise.

In particular, in 2021, when Ho Chi Minh City became the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the city's armed forces clearly demonstrated their bravery and spirit of "serving the people". The city's command mobilized more than 36,000 officers and soldiers to participate in the fight against the epidemic. The participating units coordinated to establish dozens of field hospitals, 71 quarantine areas, 320 checkpoints, 33 teams to handle corpses, and hand over ashes thoughtfully and humanely. The city's command mobilized a total value of goods to support people in difficulty of more than 300 billion VND; thereby enhancing the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the new era in the hearts of the people. With outstanding achievements, the city's armed forces were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and State for the third time.

Officers and soldiers of An Nhon ward militia, Ho Chi Minh City patrol the area.

In addition to fighting the epidemic, the city's armed forces also proactively participate in rescue activities, fire prevention and fighting, natural disaster response and helping people overcome the consequences. This is proof that affirms the core and pioneering role in protecting the lives and happiness of the people of the city's armed forces.

Comrade Tran Luu Quang, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee once emphasized at the Conference of the City Military Party Committee: "A strong military and national defense has created a safe environment for the city to develop sustainably. The city will continue to closely combine economic development with strengthening and consolidating national defense and security, building a solid defense zone, building a strong national defense foundation associated with a strong people's security foundation, and building a solid people's heart position in the coming time."

Article and photos: HIEN NGUYEN - HUU TAN

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/quoc-phong-toan-dan/tp-ho-chi-minh-quoc-phong-vung-manh-kinh-te-phat-trien-ben-vung-856120