Worthy of being Uncle Ho's soldiers, the people's army

(GLO)- In the world's military history, there are few armies as closely connected to the people as the Vietnam People's Army, and there are also few soldiers of any army whose name is associated with the leader like "Uncle Ho's Soldiers".

That comes from the humanity and justice of an army that fights and sacrifices for the benefit of the people and the nation; it comes from the people's respect for leader Ho Chi Minh - the one who built and trained that humane army.

Unique and distinctive military cultural values

Called Uncle Ho's Army first of all because Uncle Ho is the beloved father of the Vietnamese people's armed forces, the first person to lay the foundation for the birth of the Vietnam People's Army.

At the same time, he is also the one who regularly guides, cares for, educates, instructs, and trains all cadres and soldiers of our army to have a correct revolutionary stance, steadfast political will, a spirit of solidarity, brave fighting will, pure moral qualities, and wholeheartedly serve the Fatherland and serve the people.

President Ho Chi Minh talks with coastal defense units in the Northeast region of the Fatherland, Quang Yen district, Quang Ninh province, March 31, 1959. Photo courtesy

Calling them Uncle Ho's soldiers also comes from the gratitude, admiration, and infinite love of our army's officers and soldiers for the Father of the nation.

And more deeply, we call them Uncle Ho's soldiers because our army officers and soldiers always yearn and wish to live, fight, work and study following the example of the great President Ho Chi Minh. Carrying Uncle Ho's name by their side, each officer and soldier is given more faith and determination to overcome all difficulties and hardships, not afraid of danger and sacrifice, ready to sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for the happiness of the people.

Uncle Ho is like a bright torch illuminating every step of the army, so his name has become a great spiritual strength and is embodied in every thought and action of every revolutionary soldier.

On the other hand, the name “Uncle Ho’s Army”, according to the late General Vo Nguyen Giap, originated from the names “Mr. Ke’s Army”, “Mr. Cu’s Army” that the ethnic minorities in the former Viet Bac resistance base affectionately called the armed units founded by Uncle Ho. That was a warm and sincere way of calling, like the hearts of the people towards their leader, many of whom at that time did not know Uncle Ho’s name.

An army born from the people; fighting and serving for the people; having the honor of "owning" the name of the supreme leader of the nation, is a very unique and distinctive military cultural value.

Apart from the interests of the people, the army has no other interests.

Along with the name of the soldiers as "Uncle Ho's soldiers", our army also has the common name "Vietnam People's Army". This name was given by President Ho Chi Minh with the meaning "born from the people, fighting for the people, serving the people and being closely attached to the people" .

President Ho Chi Minh always cared about building our army into “a true army of the people”. He taught: “Our people are the foundation, the parents of the army”, so regardless of their position, the army must always be worthy of being loyal and devoted servants of the people.

He regularly educated our army officers and soldiers: "Fight the enemy to regain independence and unity for the Fatherland, to protect the freedom and happiness of the people. Apart from the interests of the people, the army has no other interests."

But to complete the mission, the army must rely on the people. That is why, in President Ho Chi Minh's instruction at the Conference to review the Route 18 Campaign published in the People's Army Newspaper on May 4, 1951, he affirmed: "The people are like water, the army is like fish. We must make the people help us as much as possible so that we can defeat the enemy."

To be worthy of those beloved and affectionate names, one of the traditions, one of the oaths that the Vietnam People's Army always puts first is "filial piety to the people". It is also because of the good implementation of that tradition, that oath that our Army is supported by the people, constantly grows stronger, and can confront all forces - no matter how strong that force is.

Since its inception, generations of our army officers and soldiers, regardless of circumstances or conditions, have always been "filial to the people" . During the war of national liberation and defense of the Fatherland, in addition to the plan to fight the enemy, our army always had a plan to protect the people in order to limit human losses.

Officers and soldiers of Infantry Regiment 739 (Gia Lai Provincial Military Command) help people in Quy Nhon Dong ward break ground to rebuild new houses. Photo: NH

In peacetime, our army is still the core force on the front line of preventing and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters to protect people's lives and property. The images of Uncle Ho's soldiers helping people during storm No. 13 and the historic floods of November 2025 in the Central provinces, including the Eastern Gia Lai region, are a typical example.

The storm has passed, the flood has receded, but the collapsed houses are still in disarray. Implementing the “Quang Trung Campaign” launched by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the military forces in Gia Lai province have undertaken to support the construction of 100 new houses for families whose houses were completely collapsed due to the recent storms and floods in the province.

These days, officers and soldiers are working hard to help people rebuild new houses, striving to hand over the houses before January 31, 2026 so that people can celebrate Lunar New Year in their new homes.

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To build a national defense, firmly protect the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam, effectively fight against the plots and tricks of "peaceful evolution" and violent overthrow by hostile forces, we always need the solidarity and support of the people to have a solid "people's heart position". To do so, wherever our soldiers are, they must always remember that they are Uncle Ho's soldiers, must uphold the tradition of "filial piety to the people", respect, help and protect the people to gain the people's trust and love.

People's trust in the army also means they trust the Party, follow the Party's words, and stand side by side with the army to protect the homeland; this is the source of the boundless strength of the Vietnam People's Army.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/xung-dang-la-bo-doi-cu-ho-quan-doi-cua-nhan-dan-post574217.html