Building a politically strong Vietnam People’s Army is a fundamental principle and a continuous element of the Party’s political and military guidelines. It plays a crucial role in the process of constructing, fighting, succeeding, and maturing our Army over the past 80 years. Building on the achievements and glorious traditions of the heroic army, the entire Army continues to strengthen its political foundations, creating a solid base for the development of a streamlined, capable, and modern Army that can meet the requirements of national construction and defence in the new context.

Loyal to and creatively applying Marxist-Leninist views on the construction of a new-type army for the working class, our Party and President Ho Chi Minh have always focused on building a politically strong Vietnam People’s Army. This is considered a core principle, the key factor, and the basis for enhancing the overall quality and combat strength of our Army. In the “Directive on the Establishment of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army”, Leader Ho Chi Minh stated: “The name Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army means that politics is more important than the military”. He stressed that in the inseparable relationship between the military and politics, “military must be subordinate to politics” and “military without politics is like a tree without roots, useless and harmful”. This is a distinctive point in his thought on building a revolutionary army, which aligns with the practical needs of Vietnam’s revolution.

Over the past 80 years, the Party, the State, the Central Military Party Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, together with the Party committees and commanders at all levels within the Army, have remained steadfast, committed, and focused on building a politically strong Army. For this reason, our Army has always been firm in its adherence to Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought, the goals and ideals of national independence and socialism, the Party’s policies and guidelines, as well as the laws and policies of the State. It has maintained strong political resolve, remaining absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, the State, and the People in the face of any challenges or adversity. The building of a clean and strong Military Party Committee, alongside robust mass organisations, has ensured that the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over the Army remains unshaken in every aspect. The internal unity and cohesion of the Army are continually upheld, democracy is promoted, discipline is reinforced, and there is a close bond with the people. The concept of “the people’s heart-and-mind posture” has been embedded within the framework of the people’s defence and people’s security, strengthening the foundation for both. Under all conditions and circumstances, the Army’s cadres and soldiers have always maximised the importance of political and spiritual factors, alongside the entire Party and people, achieving glorious victories in the struggle for national liberation, reunification, and the construction and safeguarding of the Fatherland, and fulfilling international duties with distinction. This is a tradition worthy of the praise given by President Ho Chi Minh: “Our Army is loyal to the Party, filial to the people, ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and for socialism. It accomplishes any task, overcomes any challenge, and defeats every enemy.”

Currently, and in the coming years, the global and regional situation will continue to be shaped by increasing geopolitical and geostrategic tensions, making developments complex and highly unpredictable. Military conflicts, territorial disputes, and conflicts over sea and island sovereignty in certain areas remain intense, with potential risks that are difficult to foresee. Non-traditional security factors such as cyber security, natural disasters, and epidemics present new challenges. Domestically, the task of strengthening the Army, enhancing national defence, and safeguarding the Fatherland presents new, higher, and more complex demands. Hostile forces are concentrating their efforts on undermining the Party’s ideological foundation, intensifying “peaceful evolution”, promoting “self-evolution”, “self-transformation”, and “politicisation of the Army”, with the aim of eliminating the Party’s leadership and dismantling socialism in our country.

Lt. Sr. Gen. Trinh Van Quyet at a get-together on the occassion of the 80th anniversary of the General Political Department (photo: qdnd.vn)

The entire Army is intensifying the reorganisation of its forces to be lean, efficient, and powerful, creating a solid foundation for the goal of “striving to build the People’s Army by 2030, a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern force,” continuously enhancing its overall quality and combat strength. Among these, political quality remains the firm foundation ensuring that the Army is always ready to fight and secure victories in all situations. Therefore, the building of a politically strong Army must continue to be carried out rigorously, with a series of coordinated, decisive policies and solutions, focusing on the following key points:

Firstly, maintaining and strengthening the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over all aspects of the Army. This is the most fundamental factor, decisive for the political strength of our Army, both in the past, present, and in the years to come, especially in the process of building a lean, efficient, powerful, and modern People’s Army. The political growth and strength of the Army fundamentally stem from the Party’s correct leadership. President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “Our Army is invincible because it is the People’s Army, built by our Party, led by our Party, and educated by our Party.” Therefore, it is crucial to focus on building a clean and strong Military Party Committee, at all levels of Party leadership and organisation, with a solid political, ideological, moral, organisational, and leadership capacity, increasing combat effectiveness, and truly serving as the leadership core in all agencies and units.

Continuing to thoroughly implement the resolutions, directives, and conclusions on the construction and rectification of the Party and the political system; with a focus on the following: Conclusion No.21-KL/TW, dated 25 October 2021, by the Party Central Committee (the 13th Tenure) on strengthening the construction and rectification of the Party and the political system; resolutely preventing, pushing back, and strictly handling cadres and Party members who have degenerated in terms of political thought, ethics, lifestyle, and exhibit signs of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”; Resolution No.21-NQ/TW, dated 16 June 2022, by the Central Committee of the Party (the 13th Tenure) on strengthening the consolidation and development of Party grassroots organisations and improving the quality of Party members in the new period; Conclusion No.01-KL/TW, dated 18 May 2021, by the Politburo on continuing to implement Directive No.05-CT/TW, dated 15 May 2016, by the Politburo (the 12th Tenure) on “Strengthening the study and following of Ho Chi Minh’s thought, ethics, and style”; The movement to promote traditions, dedicate talents, and live up to the title of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” in the new era, and Resolution No.847-NQ/QUTW, dated 28 December 2021, by the Central Military Party Commission on promoting the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers,” resolutely fighting against individualism in the new situation. At the same time, thoroughly implement the regulations on revolutionary ethical standards, the responsibility of setting an example for officials and Party members, the prohibitions on Party members, and the regulations on controlling power in staff work and combating nepotism and corruption. Strengthen inspection, supervision, management, education, and training of officials and Party members; link the construction of clean, strong, exemplary grassroots Party organisations with building fully strong, “typical, exemplary” agencies and units; build Party committees alongside building key staff, build the Party membership alongside building the leadership team. Consistently innovate and improve the Party’s leadership mechanism over the military, ensuring it aligns with the evolving tasks and situation. Resolutely fight against signs of loosening or diminishing the Party’s leadership role over the Army.

Secondly, continuously reinforcing and enhancing the working-class nature, people’s nature, and national identity; ensuring a steadfast political stance for cadres and soldiers - which is the fundamental and core issue in building a modern and politically strong Vietnam People’s Army. Building a modern Army requires the implementation of various measures and contents. However, above all, the focus must be on shaping individuals with clear goals, ideals, strong political will, and proficiency in the use of the weapons and equipment provided. This is a crucial and decisive issue. Accordingly, agencies and units need to intensify the propagation and education of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought, and the Party’s guidelines, ensuring that they penetrate deeply into the political and spiritual life of the troops. Cadres and soldiers must have a clear understanding and a firm commitment to the goal and ideal of national independence and socialism. This is the only correct path that the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and our people have chosen for the development of the country and for the people’s freedom, prosperity, and happiness. In the current situation, more than ever, it is essential to ensure that cadres and soldiers, under any circumstances or hardships, even if they have to sacrifice, remain absolutely loyal and resolute in protecting the Fatherland, the Party, the State, the people, and the socialist regime. It is crucial to educate the troops and the people on the achievements, national standing, and international prestige of the country after nearly 40 years of renewal, the unity, solidarity, and high determination within the Party. Based on this, a new confidence, a new spirit, and absolute trust in the Party’s leadership, the State’s management and governance, and the success of the renewal process under the Party’s guidance must be cultivated.

At the same time, we need to strengthen the propagation, dissemination, and education of the law; educate the traditions of the Party, the people, and the Army; foster the noble qualities of the “Uncle Ho’s soldiers”; and increase patriotism, national pride, and build high determination to be ready to accept and excellently complete any assigned mission. It is also essential to regularly educate and inform about the revolutionary tasks, the missions of the Army and units, the schemes, and tricks of hostile forces to destroy the Army’s ideological foundation, and provide the ideological guidance for the troops. Education should be conducted regularly, with focus on specific targets, combining various forms of dissemination, especially through combat readiness, training, and practical work to cultivate and train officers and soldiers.

Thirdly, building and promoting the role of the contingent of cadres, especially the political commissars, commanders, and political officers at all levels, as the core in building a modern, politically strong People’s Army. As those directly in charge of commanding, managing, educating, and training the troops and organising the construction of units, the role of the contingent of cadres at all levels is decisive for the political strength, development, combat readiness, and success of our Army. Therefore, ensuring the construction of a contingent of cadres with qualities, capabilities, and a high level of political determination is an important solution in strengthening the political strength of the Army and advancing towards modernisation.

Party committees, Party organisations, leading cadres, political agencies, and political cadres at all levels must continue to deeply understand and rigorously implement the Party’s resolutions, directives, conclusions, regulations, and rules regarding the cadre work. The focus should be on Resolution No.26-NQ/TW, dated 19 May 2018, by the Party Central Committee (the 12th Tenure), and Resolution No.109-NQ/QUTW, dated 11 February 2019, by the Central Military Commission, aiming to build the Army’s contingent of cadres, especially at the operational and strategic levels, to meet the requirements of tasks in the new situation. This includes leading and directing the construction of a contingent of cadres with the proper quantity, structure, and high quality, ensuring revolutionary ethics, political standards, and work competence. Improving the quality of training and fostering the contingent of cadres, as well as evaluating, planning, arranging, and utilising cadres effectively, should be prioritised. This process should be particularly focused on the leaders, commanders, and cadres responsible for different levels. Training must be linked with planning and staffing strategies. The implementation of the “Policy for attracting and using talents in the Vietnam People’s Army until 2030, Vision to 2050” should also be focused on. Furthermore, continuing to research, supplement, and implement the best policies for military personnel, as well as for their families and rear, is essential. In the short term, attention must be given to well-preparing personnel for the Party congresses at all levels leading up to the 12th Party Congress of the Army and the 14th National Congress of the Party.

At the same time, the role of cadres at all levels, especially political cadres and commissars, in building a politically strong Army should be further emphasised. This includes improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Party and political work, particularly ensuring the ideological and theoretical work is carried out with high combativeness and persuasiveness. Cadres must set an example in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, with strong moral qualities, healthy lifestyles, and leadership in ensuring the success of all assigned tasks. The spirit of “dare to think, dare to speak, dare to act, dare to take responsibility, dare to innovate, dare to face difficulties and challenges, and dare to act for the common good” should be emphasised and practiced.

Fourthly, promoting democracy, strengthening discipline and order; enhancing internal solidarity, military-civilian unity, and international solidarity. These are crucial elements in strengthening the political foundation of the Army, especially in building a modern army, where these factors become even more important. Among them, democracy and strict self-discipline are attributes that reflect the working-class nature of the revolutionary army, built upon a high level of political awareness, legal knowledge, and military regulations by both officers and soldiers. Democracy and discipline are dialectically related, serving as prerequisites that support each other in development. Therefore, military agencies and units should continue to build and perfect democratic structures and discipline, while fostering strong grassroots organisations and military councils that operate effectively, following democratic regulations. At the same time, they should strengthen education on the importance of adhering to discipline and laws for cadres and soldiers and organise rigorous maintenance of regulatory procedures and discipline, following unit regulations and orders.

Internal solidarity, military-civilian unity, and international solidarity are traditions, fine qualities, and distinctive political characteristics of our Army. Internal solidarity is a decisive factor that creates the strength of the Army; military-civilian unity and international solidarity form the necessary foundation for the Army to complete its mission. Therefore, military agencies and units must focus on building relationships of solidarity and unity between superiors and subordinates, among military personnel, and between individuals and collectives, based on principles of comradeship, mutual respect, goals, and missions. Education for cadres and soldiers must emphasise strict adherence to civil-military relations, prioritising the spirit of fighting for the people and serving the people; promoting work to strengthen the connection with civilians, encouraging people to follow the Party’s guidelines and the state’s policies and laws; actively contributing to building political systems and advancing local economic, cultural, and social development, thereby strengthening the “people’s heart-and-mind posture”. Through this, the unity and deep bond between the Army and the people will continually grow, carrying out the shared will of the Army and the people. At the same time, it is important to promote defence diplomacy, participate in UN peacekeeping forces, and strengthen international solidarity, contributing to the successful implementation of the Party and State’s foreign policies.

Finally, resolutely fighting against the plots and tactics of “peaceful evolution” and “depoliticisation” of the Army by hostile forces. The essence of these tactics is to eliminate the Party’s leadership over the Army, causing it to lose its direction, goals, and fighting ideals, distancing itself from its working-class nature, leading to political degeneration, “self-evolution,” and “self-transformation.” In fact, these hostile forces have successfully carried out such plots against the militaries of several countries, and this was one of the fundamental reasons for the collapse of the socialist model in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Therefore, combating the schemes of “peaceful evolution” and “depoliticisation” in the Army is an urgent, ongoing task today. In addition to implementing comprehensive solutions to build political resilience, create a clean and healthy cultural environment, and maintain and strengthen the Party’s leadership over the Army, military agencies and units should intensify the fight against “peaceful evolution” in the ideological and cultural spheres. This includes thoroughly implementing Conclusion No.89-KL/TW, dated 25 July 2024 by the Politburo, on continuing to implement Resolution No.35-NQ/T, dated 22 October 2018 by the Politburo (the 13^th Tenure), on “Strengthening the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation and combating hostile, erroneous viewpoints in the new situation.” The work of ideological and theoretical education should be renewed to improve quality and effectiveness, combining both “building” and “fighting,” with an emphasis on building as the core and combating as firm and effective. It is also crucial to promote the role of core forces in resolutely rejecting hostile and erroneous viewpoints, while spreading the images and noble values of the “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” in practice, contributing to maintaining the Party’s ideological and cultural stance within the Army.

Thus, both theory and practice affirm that building a politically strong People’s Army is a fundamental and vital principle for our Army. Currently, the entire Army is working to build a lean, strong, modernised Army with high overall quality and combat power. Therefore, ensuring the Army remains strong politically is more urgent than ever, as it is essential to fulfill the task of safeguarding the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the new situation.

Senior Lieutenant General TRINH VAN QUYET, Member of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army