From the people, fight for the people, serve the people

From the early days of its establishment under the protection of the People in the war zones, to the resounding victories in the resistance war against French colonialism and American imperialism, our army has always been closely attached to the People, taking the love and protection of our compatriots as the foundation for fighting and growing. Therefore, the nature of the Vietnam People's Army is "born from the People, fighting for the People."

Up to now, that nature has never changed but has always been inherited and promoted, creating great strength to help our entire Party, army and people realize socio -economic goals and build an increasingly prosperous country.

The nature of the Vietnam People's Army

"For the people, forget yourself"
Sacrifice for the people
Brothers, forget yourself for the people.
Our National Defense Corps comes from the people.
Loved by the people and trusted by the people

The solemn lyrics of the march "For the People, Forgetting Yourself" by musician, Lieutenant Colonel Doan Quang Khai clearly affirmed the nature of the Vietnam People's Army.

Going back in time, exactly 80 years ago, on December 22, 1944, in the forest between Hoang Hoa Tham and Tran Hung Dao communes (now Tam Kim commune, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province), the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army was established with only 34 soldiers. This was the predecessor of today's Vietnam People's Army.

The army is always closely attached to the people, taking the love and care of the people as the foundation for fighting and growing.

Right from the early days of the revolutionary struggle, the Communist Party of Vietnam clearly defined: The Army is a force of the working masses, established to fight for the interests of the People. Therefore, the nature of the Vietnam People's Army is "born from the People, fighting for the People." This has become a symbol of the strength of national unity throughout its 80-year history.

President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “Our army is the people's army. That means it is the flesh and blood of the people. We fight to regain independence and unity for the Fatherland, to protect the freedom and happiness of the people. Apart from the interests of the people, our army has no other interests” (2).

General Vo Nguyen Giap and President Ho Chi Minh discussed combat plans with military officers during the Border Campaign in 1950. (Photo: VNA archive)

This ideology is not only a guiding principle but also shapes the revolutionary nature of our army, at the same time creating great strength, helping our army overcome all difficulties to gain victory in all historical periods, from the wars of national liberation and reunification to the cause of national construction and development today.

"From the People"

“From the People” is a core principle, reflecting the tradition of close ties between the army and the people. In the first political platform in 1930, the Party set out the requirement to “organize a worker-peasant army” as the core of the national liberation revolution. From the guerrilla teams in the 1930-1931 revolutionary movement such as the Red Self-Defense Force, to larger organizations such as the Bac Son Guerrilla Team and the National Salvation Army, our army was formed from the hearts of the people and grew from the revolutionary movement of the masses.

Throughout its history, our army has always been born from the people and then nurtured by patriotism and support from the masses. In particular, during the August Revolution of 1945, with the support and unanimity of the entire people, the Vietnam Liberation Army, together with the people of the whole country, successfully carried out the General Uprising, overthrowing the colonial and feudal domination, regaining independence for the nation. It is the flesh-and-blood bond with the people that has helped our army overcome all difficulties, building a proud revolutionary tradition.

That tradition continued to be promoted in the resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism. During the resistance war against France (1945-1954), tens of thousands of porters participated in transporting food, ammunition, and weapons over dangerous routes. In the Dien Bien Phu Campaign alone, according to data from the General Department of Logistics, more than 260,000 porters and 21,000 bicycle-packing vehicles were mobilized.

Along the war zones such as Viet Bac, Tay Bac, and Dong Do Bac Bo, the people dedicated their houses and shelters to protect cadres and soldiers from enemy pursuit. Little Vietnamese mothers sacrificed their beloved children for the country, and also directly participated in sheltering and hiding cadres.

Many families set up food and weapons transit stations right in enemy-controlled areas... The patriotism and sacrifice of the people not only provided strength but also created a strong belief for the army in the fierce war; it was the foundation for the Vietnam People's Army to defeat the enemy and regain independence for the nation.

(Photo: VNA Document)

During the resistance war against the US to save the country (1954-1975), the people of the whole country mobilized all resources to feed and protect the army in fierce war conditions. On the Truong Son route, the people of the North mobilized tens of thousands of tons of rice, food and medicine to transport to the battlefield in the South.

The frontline laborers, porters, and even those carrying baskets on their shoulders overcame the rain of bombs and bullets to ensure logistics. Each kilo of rice and each drop of fish sauce that the people saved and sent to the soldiers not only had material value but also contained love and belief in victory.

In the first Political Platform in 1930, the Party set out the requirement to "organize a worker-peasant army" as the core for the national liberation revolution.

In the South, the People built thousands of secret tunnels to hide cadres, soldiers and weapons. Under the fierce repression of the enemy, the People remained steadfast, wholeheartedly defending the revolution.

Many families became the “eyes and ears” of the army, providing information on enemy activities. The image of mothers like Mother Nguyen Thi Thu (Quang Nam) – who saw off 9 of her children and grandchildren to fight and die for the Fatherland – is an immortal symbol of patriotism and noble sacrifice.

The touching stories of the sacrifices, support and companionship of the People with the Vietnam People's Army in the long resistance wars against invaders have affirmed that the army's strength comes not only from weapons or strategies, but also from the hearts of the people. This is the important foundation that contributes to creating great victories, bringing the country to independence, freedom and peace.

Fight for the people, serve for the people

If “coming from the people” is the origin of the Vietnam People’s Army, then “fighting for the people” is the ultimate goal and ideal of the army. Since its inception, our army has made constant efforts to protect the Fatherland and bring peace and happiness to the people.

During the resistance war against French colonialism, the Vietnam People's Army clearly demonstrated the spirit of "fighting for the people" through each campaign. During the Viet Bac Campaign (1947), our army and people closely coordinated to defeat enemy attacks, protect important base areas, and maintain the people's confidence in the resistance war.

The Border Campaign (1950) marked an important turning point, breaking the enemy's siege, expanding the free zone, creating momentum for a prolonged resistance war. And the most resounding victory must be the Dien Bien Phu Campaign (1954), when our army, with the support and wholehearted assistance of the people, completely defeated the French colonialists, forcing them to sign the Geneva Agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam.

These victories were not only important historical milestones in the resistance war but also affirmed the strength of a revolutionary army, wholeheartedly supported and protected by the people.

After the success of the August Revolution in 1945, the Vietnam Liberation Army was renamed the National Guard, then the Vietnam National Army (1946), and from 1950 it was called the Vietnam People's Army. In the photo: Army units participating in the Border Campaign organized political activities, conducted military training and actively prepared for the campaign, raising their determination to destroy the enemy (1950). (Photo: VNA)

After the complete liberation of the North, our army and people entered the resistance war against the US, to save the country, and to carry out the noble mission of unifying the country. The legendary Truong Son route has become a symbol of the bravery and sacrifice of our army. Tens of thousands of soldiers have fallen to ensure each troop and each ton of goods to support the South. Major campaigns such as the Mau Than Spring Offensive in 1968 and the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975 clearly demonstrated the army's determination to liberate our people from the domination of the US imperialists and the Saigon government, bringing peace to the nation.

In particular, the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975 was a complete victory, demonstrating the strength of a resilient army, with the absolute support of the People, completing the historic mission of liberating the South and unifying the country. This victory not only marked the end of the long war but also affirmed the heroism of the Vietnam People's Army, an army that always fights for the People.

Soldiers not only fought with guns but also shared hardships with their compatriots, helping them produce and build a new life. After the war ended, the army participated in production work, built infrastructure and helped areas heavily affected by the war. The army was a major force contributing to the reconstruction of devastated areas, providing medical support, education and essential goods to deprived areas. This participation strengthened the relationship between the army and the people, creating a combined strength in the country's development, helping the country stably and firmly enter the period of renewal.

Since the country began its renovation, the Vietnam People's Army has always "served the people." Performing three functions: a combat army, a working army, and a production labor army, our army is always present in vulnerable, difficult, and dangerous places, sacrificing itself to protect the lives and property of the people; always taking the lead in movements to help people eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, build new rural areas, prevent and fight floods, storms, fires, search and rescue, and overcome the consequences of natural disasters; fighting against all plots, tricks, and acts of sabotage by hostile forces, keeping the country peaceful.

Over 80 years of construction and growth, the Vietnam People's Army has demonstrated its revolutionary and deeply humane nature through the spirit of "born from the people, fighting for the people, serving the people."

The image of the “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” with bare feet wading through water, rolling up their sleeves to patch up dikes or rescuing people in storms and floods has become a beautiful symbol of patriotism and responsibility. Practical actions such as building charity houses, helping people restore production after natural disasters or participating in disease prevention, further illuminate the qualities of the soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army who come from the people and serve the people.

Not only stopping at the national level, the spirit of “fighting for the people” of the Vietnam People’s Army has also reached out to the international community. Generations of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts have stood side by side with the people and armies of Laos and Cambodia, regardless of sacrifice and hardship, contributing to gaining independence for the friendly nations, building the solidarity between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. That spirit continues to be carried on by the Vietnam People’s Army, demonstrated in the United Nations peacekeeping activities, demonstrating Vietnam’s role and responsibility towards the international community.

Over 80 years of construction and development, the Vietnam People's Army has demonstrated its revolutionary and deeply humane nature through the spirit of "coming from the people, fighting for the people, serving the people." This is not only a guiding principle but also an affirmation of the eternal value of a heroic army in the history of the nation.

In the future, the Vietnam People's Army will continue to promote its glorious tradition, constantly improve its strength, meet the requirements of protecting the Fatherland and bringing a peaceful life to the people. The Vietnam People's Army will always be the pride of the nation, worthy of the title "heroic army of a heroic nation"./.

The Ho Chi Minh Campaign was the largest joint military and service campaign, achieving the greatest victory, marking a remarkable step forward in the maturity of our Army; the pinnacle of Vietnamese military art, contributing decisively to the end of the resistance war against the US to save the country. In the photo: At 11:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, Liberation Army tanks crossed the iron gate, capturing the Saigon puppet Presidential Palace, the last stronghold of the enemy. (Photo: Mai Huong/VNA)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tu-nhan-dan-ma-ra-vi-nhan-dan-chien-dau-vi-nhan-dan-phuc-vu-post999876.vnp