In order to demonstrate the publicity and transparency of its defence policy, in 2019 Vietnam published its new Defence White Paper. The event drew international attention and appreciation. Many important contents are included in the book, demonstrating the fundamental policy that: building an all-strong national defence to firmly protect the Fatherland; implementing a defence policy of a peaceful and self-defence nature. In particular, the book clearly states that: Vietnam will not join any military alliance; not side with one country to counter another one; not allow foreign country to set military bases or use Vietnam’s territory to counter a third country; not use force or threaten to use force in international relations. This "Four Nos" policy is a message of peace, deeply expressing the aspiration for peace of Vietnamese people to all countries in the world.

In fact, the "Four Nos" policy shows the determination to completely eliminate the root cause of war from Vietnam side; not to allow anyone to take advantage of Vietnam or its territory to invade or harm another country. From its historical lessons, Vietnam understands that peace is not just a trendy word, but a noble goal of humanity. Almost every person with conscience in this world have the love for peace and will fight for peace. For this reason, Vietnamese people and other peoples oppressed and enslaved by colonialism and imperialism have resolutely stood up and fought for independence, freedom and peace, the most precious things as said by President Ho Chi Minh. To gain those things, many generations of Vietnamese people had to suffer bloodshed, pain and heavy losses. This is evident even in today peaceful life in this "S-shaped” land which is still deeply imprinted with war wounds and sequelae. There remain Vietnamese heroic mothers, families of wounded soldiers and martyrs, victims of Agent Orange, etc.. They are the witnesses of war that have overcome fate and become useful not only for life but also for society. They really become the beautiful souls of Vietnamese nation, crystallised by the desire for peace. It is not coincidental that, right in our righteous war against the invaders, President of the World Peace Council Romesh Chandra admired and praised: "Vietnam is the conscience of the times", and it is not surprising that Hanoi - the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which was heavily damaged in Operations Linebacker I and II  of the US Air Force, was awarded the title of "The city for peace” by UNESCO, and honoured by international friends as "The capital of human dignity".

Such is Vietnam. A nation that knows how to fight, dares to sacrifice for peace and is determined to realise peace. Of course, that nation understood well the value of peace. In all stages, Vietnam has been doing all it can to maintain peace for the country; at the same time, actively contribute to ensuring a peaceful environment in the region and the world.

The "Four Nos" policy in the “Vietnam 2019 National Defence White Paper" is a message of peace and also a commitment of the Party, State and people of Vietnam to countries around the world. Consistently, Vietnam wants to be a friend and reliable partner of other countries in international relations. It is ready to expand cooperation, including defence cooperation, on the basis of respecting differences in political regimes and levels of development. Vietnam does not accept cooperation relations under any pressure or coercion. Throughout its history and future, Vietnam has never and will never provoke or invade other countries, not use force or threaten to use force in international relations. That is the principle and the long-standing cultural tradition of Vietnam. Thus, with the "Four Nos" commitment, Vietnam has expressed frankly its viewpoint rooted in the aspiration for peace of its own as well as of mankind. Peace is the living space of people in the truest sense of this word. Reality shows that, it is not easy to have peace, but it is even more difficult to maintain peace, especially, in the complicated context of the world current situation, when relationships are intertwined with interests and strategic calculations that are difficult to recognise of major powers. Vietnam is sober enough to knows that, with the "Four Nos" perspective alone, it will not be able to protect peace of the country, but must implement it by many combined methods, in which strengthening defence power is indispensable.

Vietnam's defence policy shows us the correctness, wisdom, as well as the position, meaning and strategic importance of the "Four Nos" viewpoint that the entire Party and people and army are pursuing for the survival of the country, the regime, and the safety of the nation. It also shows our Party's new and creative thinking on national defence in the new situation, while reaffirming that the leadership of the Party is the decisive factor to the victory of Vietnam revolution in the past struggle for national liberation as well as in the present cause of national construction and defence. The "Four Nos" policy is also an important basis and condition for maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world, the message and aspiration for peace that Vietnam sends to world countries.

The "Four Nos" policy is, on the one hand, a message of peace, and on the other hand, the strategy to prevent war and protect the Fatherland "from afar" of our nation. Therefore, it is very necessary and important, especially in the context of the current volatile, complicated and unpredictable world situation. However, we should not absolutise that view, but combine it with many other effective methods. Only in this way can we firmly protect the Fatherland and maintain peace for the country. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly strengthen national defence capability on the basis of the synergy of the whole country, the strength of the great national unity combined with the strength of the times. That is the overarching policy of our Party, State and People throughout the Vietnamese revolutionary process.

As mentioned, when strengthening defence power, Vietnam clearly affirms that its defence policy is of peaceful and self-defensive nature. Vietnam strengthens its defence power only for the purpose of self-defence and Fatherland protection, not for an arms race as misrepresented by hostile forces. In other words, Vietnam’s improvement of defence capability is not intended to threaten or invade any country but only to prevent and repel the risk of war; at the same time, to defeat the war of aggression of hostile forces. Defence power is the core factor to protect the Fatherland and maintain peace for the country as it acts as a deterrent to invaders. For Vietnam, strengthening defence capability is to prevent and repel the risk of war.

Thoroughly analysing and evaluating international and domestic situations in all aspects, our Party believes that in the coming years, the chance of a large-scale war in our country is low. But “low” does not mean “no”, and the possibility of war is not completely excluded. Therefore, even if that possibility is very low, we must not stay off-guard, but regularly pay attention to strengthening national defence and security. This solution is indispensable to firmly protect the Fatherland in all situations, to preserve the peaceful, prosperous and happy life of the people.

Vietnamese people have a beautiful and noble humanistic tradition, and aspiration for peace not only for their country but also for all nations and peoples in the world. Together with affirming the "Four Nos" policy - a message of peace, the Party, State and the entire Vietnamese people are trying to contribute to world peace as a "responsible member of the world community. Under the United Nations flag, VPA troops are conducting their peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and Central African Republic regardless of sacrifice and hardships. The spirit of solidarity and fighting for peace is shining in Africa and in many parts of the world will bring nations closer together on the road to a better future.

QUANG CHUYEN - MANH HA