Based on a thorough analysis and accurate assessment of the global, regional, and domestic situations, the 8^th Central Committee Plenum (13^th Tenure) issued Resolution No. 44-NQ/TW on the Strategy for Fatherland protection in the new situation. This is a crucial guidance regarding the task of defending the Fatherland in the new phase, which needs to be studied and thoroughly understood, especially the issues that require full and profound awareness, in order to put the Resolution into life.

The Resolution of the 8^th Central Committee Plenum (13^th Tenure) on the Strategy for Fatherland protection in the new situation (hereinafter referred to as the Strategy) is the successor and development of 8^th Central Committee Plenum (9^th and 11^th Tenures) to align with the changes and developments in the global, regional, and domestic situations in the new context. The Strategy is adopted and issued with supplements and developments; among them, issues of principle are upheld and developed, such as Party leadership, State management; the comprehensive strength of the nation; the bloc of great national unity; the establishment of an all-people national defence and all-people security postures; the building the people’s armed forces; the preparation of the country to deal with potential conflicts and wars, etc. At the same time, the Strategy also identifies other issues that need to be fully and profoundly understood further.

After over 10 years of implementing the Strategy for Fatherland Protection in the new situation (11^th Tenure), we have consistently and fully embraced its perspectives, objectives, guiding principles, tasks, and solutions, achieving significant results. In summary, we have successfully preserved the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; protected the Party, the State, the People, and the socialist regime; and defended our national interests. The all-people national defence and security postures have been increasingly consolidated. Also, the task of building revolutionary, standardised, elite and gradually modernised People’s Army and Public Security Force have been built as revolutionary, regular, elite forces, gradually modernised have achieved initial positive results. The Military continues to prove its worth as a loyal and trustworthy political and fighting force for the Party, the State, and the People. Additionally, we have successfully preserved our independence, self-determination, and a peaceful, stable environment for the development and defence of the country. Furthermore, our international relations and cooperation have expanded, and the country’s diplomatic profile, potential, position, and international prestige have been enhanced, elevating the overall national strength for the defence of the Fatherland to a new level.

It can be affirmed that the results achieved in the past 10 years are fundamental, significant and crucial, especially in the current world and regional context full of uncertainties and unpredictability. However, there are still limitations in the implementation of the Strategy that need to be addressed. The awareness, consciousness, and the sense of responsibility regarding the task of Fatherland defence among some Party cadres and members, and citizens are not yet fully thorough and comprehensive, displaying signs of overconfidence and lack of vigilance. The quality of strategic assessment and forecasting is not always sufficient, and there are instances showing our inability to keep pace with the situation. Also, certain aspects in the fields of defence, security, and foreign affairs still have limitations. The strength of the great national unity bloc is sometimes not fully attended to and utilised. In addition, the organisation and implementation of combining socio-economic development with defence and security enhancement in some areas and regions, have not proven to be truly effective with tendency to prioritise economic interests over national defence and security matters.

An overview of the 8th Plenum of the Party Central Committee (13th Tenure)

Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the achieved results and a realistic forecast, the Strategy has clearly defined visions, objectives, guiding principles, tasks, and solutions for Fatherland defence in the coming period. Additionally, it emphasises the need for a more thorough understanding and supplementary development, taking into account the global, regional, and domestic situations. First and foremost, regarding the content, after affirming the leadership role of the Party and the management of the State, the Strategy outlines issues that require new understanding, supplementation, and development. These can be summarised in several fundamental points as follows:

First, the People factor in the Strategy. Inheriting historical experience regarding the role of the people, along with the evolving understanding of their role in Party resolutions, the Strategy emphasises: it is critical to uphold the mastery role of the people for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, with the principle of counting on the people, keeping in mind that “the people are the root”, and they are the centre and the subject of this work. The Strategy also asserts that the self-reliant and resilient will, historical traditions, unwavering determination, noble culture, and the strength of the Vietnamese people, the power of the great national unity bloc and the “people’s hearts and minds posture” are decisive factors in the success of the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. In the new context, the Strategy clearly states the need to expand socialist democracy, enhance the people’s mastery role, strengthen social consensus, bolster and increase the people’s trust in the Party and the State, realise social progress and justice, improve the material and spiritual lives of the people, narrow the income gap among different population segments and regions, fostering nationwide unity to successfully carry out the mission of defending the Fatherland.

Second, national interests. This is the foremost aspect identified in the overall objectives of the Strategy. This indicates that the task of ensuring national interests at the highest level must be understood more fully, deeply and comprehensively, and every possible solution should be sought to protect this paramount interest. Here, it is crucial to assert that national interests are among the most important issues for a nation, encompassing all necessary conditions for a nation’s survival and development. National interests are overarching and need to be prioritised above all else. Hence, the Strategy articulates the viewpoint: “We must ensure national interests at the highest level on the basis of fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.” Thus, when defining the overall goals, the Strategy places national interests at the forefront, based on the solid defence of the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland. Simultaneously, it supplements the idea of protecting revolutionary achievements, preserving the country’s international prestige and position, eliminating the risk of conflict and war, and actively contributing to the maintenance of world peace. It also considers national interests as the highest goal in domestic and foreign affairs, especially in addressing international issues.

Third, the full utilisation of the strength of the great national unity bloc. Inheriting the tradition of “ethnic harmony” from thousands of years of nation-building and preservation, with a fuller understanding of the role of the great national unity bloc, the Strategy has rearranged tasks and solutions to be more logical. It elevates the mission and solutions to fully utilise the strength of the great national unity from the fourth to the second position and expresses it more explicitly: “Fully utilise the strength of the great national unity bloc, socialist democracy, and the people’s mastery role in building and protecting the Fatherland,” instead of the previous formulation: “Consolidate and promote the strength of the great national unity bloc.” Additionally, it clarifies the role of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations in the task of actively fighting plots and schemes that aim to divide the great national unity bloc by hostile forces. It also values the contributions and opinions of the people and places great importance in the preservation of the close relationship between the People and the Party and the State, and the consistent improvement of the material and spiritual lives of the people.

Fourth, the agregated strength of the nation. Building upon the affirmation that the strength to defend the Fatherland is the comprehensive strength of the nation, involving the strength of the entire people and the comprehensive strength of various sectors in the society, the Strategy emphasises the leadership role of the Party, the management of the State, and the role of the People in combination with the strength of the great national unity bloc. The Strategy also highlights the strength derived from the market-oriented socialist economy, especially in addressing new issues related to the digital economy and society. It underscores the importance of combining economic, cultural, and social development with the enhancement of defence and security to create a solid material foundation for the cause of protecting the Fatherland. Furthermore, particular emphasis is placed on the role of culture as the firm spiritual foundation of society, an intrinsic force and driving factor for building and protecting the Fatherland. In addition, Strategy values the building of national values, cultural values, and the standards of the Vietnamese people, as well as the establishment of a cultural environment suitable for the digital economy, digital society, and digital citizens. Besides, it actively promotes Vietnamese culture internationally. Alongside culture, the Strategy emphasises the role of diplomacy in implementing Vietnam’s foreign policies. It consistently prioritises national interests as the highest goal in international conduct, aiming to “continuously enhance the potential, position, and international reputation of the country.” Culture and diplomacy are also recognised as fundamental elements of the nation’s “soft power,” contributing to its attractiveness, influence, appeal, and persuasion to international partners. The Strategy asserts the need to “combine the strength of the nation with the strength of the era... in which internal resources are fundamental and decisive, and external resources are crucial breakthroughs.”

Fifth, the persistent pursuit of the principles of people’s national defence and people’s warfare. While this is not a new issue, the advent of new forms of warfare and military operations, strategic environment and new methods of warfighting in the world and the region, this aspect becomes more crucial and imperative than ever. Furthermore, hostile forces have, are, and will utilise these developments, especially advanced technological weapons to intensify their sabotaging acts. Currently, some consider the strategy of the all-people defence strategy and people’s warfare to be outdated; thus, the affirmation of the perspective “strictly and effectively implement the strategy of all-people defence and people’s warfare” have become even more important.

A robust all-people defence posture and a genuine people’s war are unbeatable by any force. Emphasising this viewpoint, the Strategy underscores the need to build a comprehensive strength right from peacetime, and maintain the readiness to transition the country into a people’s war scenario when necessary. It values the establishment of the military strength of the State as a unique strength of the nation. Also, it places great importance in the task of building a revolutionary, standardised, elite and gradually modernised People’s Army, with the near-term goal of building an elite, compact, strong, and modernity-oriented Military with continuous improvement of its overall quality and combat capabilities to ensure its effective role as the core player in the cause of defending the Fatherland.

Sixth, the implementation of the “four nos” policy. This reflects the consistent viewpoint of our Party and State regarding military and defence, as well as the spirit of independence and self-reliance in international relations. For the first time, this perspective is explicitly affirmed in the guiding principles of the Strategy: “No participation in military alliances, no alliance with one country to oppose another, no foreign military bases or no foreign power allowed to use Vietnam’ territory to oppose other countries, no use of force or threat to use force in international relations.” This affirmation is necessary and clearly demonstrates our Party and State’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability for nation-building and development, prioritising the resolution of conflicts, disputes, and differences through peaceful means. In the section regarding diplomatic tasks and solution, the Strategy explicitly states: “Proactively resolve conflicts through peaceful measures, in accordance with international law.”

The 8^th Central Committee Plenum Resolution (13^th Tenure) on the Strategy for Fatherland protection in new situation requires every Party cadre and member, especially the operational and strategic level ones, to understand the fundamental advantages, opportunities, difficulties, and challenges that need to be overcome. Based on this foundation, it is essential to make a correct assessment of issues proven in practice to implement them more effectively. Particularly, understanding and addressing new or previously identified issues in the context of new situation are crucial. Furthermore, there must be a specific focus on studying the strategic tasks and solutions, developing appropriate programmes and plans to apply them creatively and efficiently at each agency, unit, and locality. In addition, emphasis must be placed on fully leveraging advantages and opportunities, overcoming difficulties and challenges, persistently implementing the strategy of all-people defence and people’s warfare, maximising the nation’s comprehensive strength, maintaining the country’s independence, self-determination, and a peaceful and stable environment, actively preparing the country in all aspects, effectively preventing the risks of conflicts and wars, and firmly protecting the Socialist Vietnam Fatherland early and from afar.

Lieutenant General, Assoc. Prof., Dr. TRAN THAI BINH