Lieutenant Colonel TRUONG NGOC PHONG, Commander of Brigade 950, Military Region 9:

Maintain unity and successfully complete all tasks.

Having served for 25 years, I have mostly celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) away from my family. Celebrating Tet with the officers and soldiers, in the spirit of "the unit is our home, and all officers and soldiers are our brothers," always makes me feel joyful, warm, fulfilled, and happy. Last year, Brigade 950 achieved many outstanding results in various aspects of its work: the quality of training and combat readiness improved; the discipline and management of the unit saw solid progress; and the soldiers' living conditions were well ensured... We also organized Tet celebrations in the spirit of "joyful, safe, economical, and with high combat readiness," creating a cheerful and enthusiastic atmosphere so that officers and soldiers could have peace of mind and be determined to successfully complete their tasks in the new year. Despite remaining difficulties, the officers and soldiers of the Brigade always proactively overcome challenges, unite, and are highly determined to successfully complete all assigned tasks.

The Vietnamese People's Navy delegation aboard Ship 17, Brigade 171, Region 2 of the Navy, happily celebrated the New Year while participating in the International Naval Review (IRF) and the MILAN 2026 exercise in India. Photo: NGOC TRIEU

The year 2026, the Year of the Horse, is associated with many important political events of the country. Brigade 950 continues to be assigned a number of important tasks, especially island defense and aiming to ensure the safety of the APEC 2027 Conference. My greatest wish is to build a strong team of officers with good moral character, capabilities, and qualifications to meet the requirements of training, combat readiness, and other tasks; to achieve the goal of building a clean and strong Party Committee and a comprehensively strong Brigade that is "exemplary and outstanding". On the occasion of the New Year, I wish the officers and soldiers of the unit and their families good health, good fortune, and peace; and that, regardless of their position, they will always promote the spirit of unity, successfully complete all tasks assigned by superiors, and contribute to building the Brigade into a worthy core force of the Armed Forces of Military Region 9, firmly defending the southwestern seas and islands of the Fatherland.  

Lieutenant Colonel LE VIET NGHI, Captain of Ship 17, Brigade 171, Region 2 of the Navy:

Determined to work together as a team to successfully complete all tasks.

This year marks the fourth time I've celebrated Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) at sea. For a naval soldier, celebrating Tet away from home has become familiar, yet it still evokes many emotions. Nevertheless, I always clearly understand my responsibility and the honor of fulfilling my duty, contributing to the protection of the Fatherland so that the country can peacefully welcome the new spring. This year's Tet is particularly special and meaningful for me and my comrades, as we are participating in the International Naval Review (IRF) and the MILAN 2026 exercise in India. Because the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 coincides with our mission, we are celebrating Tet early. Although not at the traditional New Year's Eve, it carries profound significance, demonstrating the sense of responsibility and determination of the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy to successfully complete their international mission. To celebrate Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) to the fullest, we brought apricot blossoms, sticky rice, and banana leaves to make banh chung (traditional rice cakes), and pork to make gio (Vietnamese sausage)... decorating the living area to create a joyful and warm atmosphere. In addition, we maintained strict duty rosters and conducted training in preparation for the naval parade and exercises, ensuring absolute safety in all aspects and determined to successfully complete our assigned tasks.

The Vietnamese People's Navy delegation aboard Ship 17, Brigade 171, Region 2 of the Navy, salutes the flag at the start of the new year while participating in the International Naval Review (IRF) and the MILAN 2026 exercise in India. Photo: NGOC TRIEU

Looking back on the past year, I am very pleased to see the significant progress I have made in developing my political acumen, work style, and professional skills. Our unit also successfully completed its tasks: patrolling and monitoring the southern sea area, the Truong Sa-DK1 area; conducting live-fire training exercises; launching anti-submarine weapons; and conducting joint patrols with the Chinese Navy... Entering the new year of the Horse 2026, my wish is for the officers and soldiers of Ship 17 to continue to be united and work together to successfully complete all assigned tasks, contributing to building a strong and comprehensive unit. I also hope my family remains healthy and provides a solid support system so that I can focus on my work. To fulfill that wish, I will continue to strive to learn, train, and improve my professional skills, strictly adhere to military discipline and state laws, maintain internal unity, and together with the Party Committee and the ship's command, lead and command the unit to successfully complete its tasks in the new year.  

Major DO NGOC MY, reconnaissance officer at Dong Van Border Guard Station, Border Guard Command, Tuyen Quang Provincial Military Command:

Efforts to improve the lives of people living in border areas.

I have spent 16 Tet holidays away from my family. This year's Tet is special because it's the first year implementing the two-tiered local government model, and the unit's area of ​​responsibility has expanded significantly compared to before, now managing two communes, Dong Van and Sa Phin, in Tuyen Quang province. Determined to ensure everyone in the villages has a warm and prosperous Tet, we are working closely with the local government to organize many charitable activities, including giving gifts to people in border villages. Each gift package includes a warm blanket, 10kg of rice, instant noodles, etc. Another difference is that compared to previous years, the lives of the people have seen many positive changes. Many households have learned to apply science and technology to production and product consumption. For example, people are using social media to sell ginger, vegetables, and fruits to the lowlands, resulting in more stable incomes. Children are also attending school more regularly, and roads, electricity, and clean water are gradually improving. In the new year, I hope to contribute more to my unit and help my compatriots stabilize and develop their lives. Along with studying, training, and upholding a sense of responsibility, I will always maintain close ties with the people, proactively advising and effectively participating in programs to help people develop socio -economic conditions and maintain peace in the border regions of our country.  

Lieutenant NGO DUC MANH, Platoon Leader of Platoon 2, Company 1, 38th Chemical Defense Battalion, 3rd Military Region Headquarters:

After the Lunar New Year holiday, we're back to work!

Although we were celebrating Tet away from our families, my comrades and I were all very excited to welcome the new year together. For the soldiers celebrating Tet at the unit for the first time, despite feeling homesick, they were all clearly aware of their responsibilities, felt secure in their work, and united in building the unit. They were very active in preparing for Tet, participating in games such as sack racing, blindfolded pot smashing, ball throwing, and stick pushing...

To avoid inertia after the Tet holiday, we also organized briefings and disseminated resolutions, directives, and orders from all levels regarding training, combat readiness, and unit tasks; strictly maintained daily and weekly routines, competition groups, scoring, and internal hygiene inspections; and made a firm commitment from the very first day and week, breaking free from the lingering effects of the holiday and focusing on the mission. Clearly defining the requirements set by superiors, we will immediately begin completing the remaining training preparations, repairing and renewing models and training aids, researching innovative ideas, and repairing, upgrading, and constructing training grounds for the new training year. In my assigned role, I will continue to closely monitor and support the troops, constantly learning and improving my specialized knowledge, and not shying away from difficulties or rigorous training to successfully carry out the above tasks.  

Corporal NGUYEN VAN PHONG, soldier of Squad 2, Platoon 4, Company 6, Battalion 5, Regiment 19, Division 968, Military Region 4:

Maintain an optimistic spirit and determination to overcome difficulties.

Celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) in the Army was a special experience, leaving me with many emotions. The longing for home, for the New Year's Eve dinner, and the atmosphere of reunion with loved ones made me understand more deeply the meaning of "sacrifice" for soldiers. Participating in Tet preparations with my comrades in Battalion 5, engaging in cultural and artistic exchanges, sports competitions, and traditional games... gave me many unforgettable memories and a clear sense of camaraderie among my fellow soldiers. These simple things helped me understand that the Army is not only a place to hone one's character and willpower, but also a shared home full of affection. Looking back on the past year, my greatest joy is my growth. I gradually adapted to the disciplined environment, successfully completed my assigned tasks, and cultivated a disciplined demeanor and a sense of responsibility. Besides that, I also gained friends and brothers who are ready to share and help each other in all circumstances. As we enter the new year, I pledge to continue to improve my political acumen and professional skills, to excellently fulfill all assigned tasks, and to live up to the trust of my unit and family. To achieve this aspiration, I will constantly study, strictly abide by the law and discipline, actively participate in emulation movements, and always maintain an optimistic spirit and determination to overcome all difficulties.  

Corporal NGUYEN VAN VU, soldier of Squad 4, Platoon 2, Company 5, Battalion 2, Brigade 168, Military Region 2:

Strive to do even better.

Although I wasn't with my family during the New Year's celebrations, the atmosphere of unity, camaraderie, and the New Year's activities at my unit brought me much joy and meaning. My greatest joy this past year was my significant growth in awareness, organizational discipline, and political acumen. This is a great motivation for me to continue striving to become a soldier with strong political convictions, increasingly high professional and technical skills, and the readiness to accept and successfully complete all assigned tasks. This is also my wish for the new year. To fulfill this wish, I will always uphold a high sense of responsibility, strictly abide by the laws of the State, military discipline, and regulations of my agency and unit, actively study and train, and continuously cultivate my moral character and lifestyle. At the same time, I will proactively overcome difficulties, learn from the experiences of my comrades, and be determined to contribute to building a strong and comprehensive unit, worthy of the trust of my family, commanders, and comrades.

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Cherish your time!

The long Tet holiday inevitably leads to fatigue and a lack of focus among officers and soldiers returning to work... However, given the ever-increasing workload and the high demands on both quality and progress, it will be difficult to meet the set requirements if the lingering effects are not quickly dispelled and focus is not immediately shifted to the task. To address this, commanders need to take measures to revitalize morale, alleviate psychological stress, help troops overcome inertia, and maintain determination from the very first day and week, strictly adhering to regulations and discipline...; at the same time, they must regularly brief the troops on the situation and tasks, awaken their sense of responsibility and self-discipline; assign tasks meticulously, clearly define responsibilities; provide specific and detailed supervision; actively inspect and remind collectives and individuals who have outstanding work, and correct any deviations. But most importantly, each individual must clearly define their assigned responsibilities and duties; Responsibility towards oneself, family, teammates, and unit. On the other hand, only by seriously and conscientiously performing duties can one achieve high results; find joy in work; and gain success and prestige.

We all, to varying degrees, harbor hopes for a successful new year. We also clearly see that no amount of material wealth can buy time. Time waits for no one; once gone, it cannot be recovered. Therefore, don't waste time; plan your goals and tasks, and strive for success starting today.

NGUYEN DUC TUAN

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/uoc-nguyen-dau-xuan-1027183