Grasping Resolution No.8 of the Party Central Committee (the 13^th Tenure) on the “Strategy for Safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation,” Hai Duong Province has been implementing a comprehensive range of measures to build a robust all-people national defence. These efforts aim to bolster defence capabilities, enhance resilience, maintain regional stability, and create a favourable environment for rapid and sustainable development.

Situated within the Northern Key Economic Region, Hai Duong occupies a strategic position, serving as a gateway to major transport arteries linking Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, and adjacent areas. With abundant land, mineral resources, and an essential role in politics, economics, culture, society, national defence, and security, the province holds significant position. Leveraging these advantages and guided by Party resolutions and directives, particularly Resolution No. 8 (the 13^th Tenure) on the “Strategy for Safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation,” Hai Duong has prioritised national defence and security alongside socio-economic development. The province’s comprehensive efforts to build a strong all-people national defence have laid a solid foundation for realising its objective of becoming a modern industrial province and a driving industrial hub of the region by 2030. With a high level of political resolve and practical, effective measures, the awareness and responsibilities of Party committees, authorities, armed forces, and the populace regarding national construction and defence have markedly improved. The quality of life of local residents continues to advance, and a robust “people’s defence posture” has been firmly established and effectively promoted. Efforts to preserve and enhance the cultural traditions and heritage of the Eastern region and the people of Hai Duong have seen notable progress. The province’s armed forces have been developed into a “streamlined, strong, and efficient” entity, possessing high overall quality and combat readiness. The defence potential and the defensive posture of its local defence zones are being continuously fortified, ensuring a steadfast foundation for the province’s long-term security and development.

Leader of the Provincial Military Command checks the combat readiness status of its subordinate unit

At present, Hai Duong Province is grappling with various factors that pose potential threats to rural and religious security. The unpredictable nature of natural disasters, epidemics, and environmental pollution has further complicated the situation, exerting considerable pressure on the lives of local residents. Against this backdrop, the Provincial Military Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command have prioritised a series of measures aimed at bolstering the all-people national defence to effectively meet the demands of safeguarding the nation.

The foremost task is to intensify communication and education to foster a deeper understanding and sense of responsibility among cadres, Party members, and the public regarding the importance of building a strong all-people national defence. The province has directed efforts to thoroughly disseminate and internalise Party resolutions and directives, including those from the Central Military Party Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, the Party Committee and Command of Military Region 3, as well as local directives from the Provincial Party Committee, the People’s Council, and the People’s Committee. These initiatives seek to unify perceptions and build consensus across all levels of leadership, the political system, armed forces, and the population on this crucial mission. Simultaneously, the province is enhancing the quality of defence and security education for key cadres of the political system, specific groups, and populations in defence-priority areas. Special emphasis is placed on clarifying the Party’s policies and perspectives, the requirements of national defence, and the identification of both partners and adversaries. This approach strengthens revolutionary vigilance and fosters unity and coherence in action, encapsulated by the ethos of “top-down solidarity, seamless coordination.” To ensure the effective dissemination of information, Hai Duong Province has adopted diverse methods to raise awareness about defence and security. These efforts focus on specialised media coverage, including dedicated defence and security programmes, and involve close collaboration with military units stationed locally to enhance outreach. Integrating these activities with the cultural heritage of the Eastern region, the province organises traditional festivals, community events, and initiatives such as the “Military-Civilian Cultural Day” in communes, wards, and townships. These efforts aim to strengthen grassroots “pepole’s heart-and-mind posture”, creating a robust foundation for an all-people national defence.

Aligned with the principle outlined in Resolution No. 8 (the 13^th Tenure) – “socio-economic development is the central task, while ensuring national defence and security is a critical and regular responsibility” - Hai Duong has seamlessly integrated socio-economic progress with defence and security enhancements. The Provincial Military Command and military agencies at all levels, in coordination with various sectors, has implemented strict appraisal and oversight mechanisms for socio-economic development projects, particularly in 17 industrial zones and key infrastructure works. This approach balances economic growth with the readiness to address potential defence and security contingencies effectively. Utilising its strategic geographical position and natural resources, Hai Duong has accelerated economic restructuring, focusing on increasing the proportion of industrial and service sectors. The province supports the development of processing and manufacturing industries for civilian needs during peacetime, with the capacity to transition to defence-related production when necessary. High-tech and sustainable agricultural practices are being promoted, ensuring food security and advancing rural modernisation, thus bolstering economic potential and enhancing the province’s resilience to defence and security challenges. Besides, Hai Duong prioritises the development of modern, synchronised infrastructure, particularly dual-use transport networks, to facilitate socio-economic growth and support defence needs. Following such policies, the province has invested in expanding roads connecting industrial zones, upgrading rural and waterway transport systems, and enhancing ports along the Thái Bình and Kinh Thầy rivers. These efforts create seamless connectivity within the Red River Delta, fostering economic momentum and enabling swift mobilisation of resources and personnel in emergencies.

The Provincial armed forces help locals in disaster relief

The development of a comprehensively strong armed force, serving as a steadfast political and combat force trusted by local Party committees, authorities, and communities, has been identified as a central priority. This effort is being actively guided and directed by leaders and commanders at all levels. In accordance with resolutions from the Politburo and the Central Military Party Commission, alongside directives and plans from the Ministry of National Defence and Military Region 3, on leading the organisation of the Vietnamese People’s Army in the 2021-2030 period and beyond, the Provincial Military Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command have promptly provided counsel and proposals to streamline and strengthen military structures into “streamlined, strong, and effective” units. This includes prioritising adjustments to organisational structures and staffing levels, while focusing on political, ideological, ethical, organisational, and personnel development within the armed forces. Efforts aim to enhance their overall quality and combat strength, enabling effective and timely responses to national defence and security situations in the locality. The province is committed to building “typical and exemplary” military agencies at all levels, closely tied to the construction of a clean and strong Provincial Military Party Committee. These efforts ensure the armed forces can fulfil their assigned responsibilities effectively. Additionally, the province has made breakthroughs in training quality, standardised operations, and disciplinary management. This provides a foundation for enhancing combat readiness and strengthens the role of the armed forces as the core advisors and implementers of local defence and military tasks. The development of a strong reserve force, with sufficient numbers, high political awareness, and strong military and professional competence, is another key focus. Similarly, Hai Duong is cultivating a “robust and widespread” militia and self-defence force of high quality. These forces are vital in advancing rural modernisation, urban development, disaster prevention, epidemic control, and search-and-rescue operations. By maintaining close oversight of local conditions and coordinating with the Public Security, these forces ensure the timely resolution of grassroots issues, safeguarding political security, social order, and public safety.

Leveraging the defence posture of Military Region 3, the deployment of local units, and the Hai Duong Provincial Planning for the 2021 - 2030 period (with a vision to 2050), Hai Duong is focused on fortifying its defence zones to meet the requirements of safeguarding the Fatherland in the current context. The Provincial Military Command works closely with departments, agencies, and sectors to advise on and implement plans, continuing the “Provincial Defence Zone Construction Project (2016-2020)” as a foundation for robust military and defence potential. Building on its achievement as the first locality in Military Region 3 to establish a rear-base defence zone, Hai Duong continues to direct districts’ completion of the project, aiming to ensure that four out of its 12 districts, cities, and towns complete rear-base planning by 2025. This interconnected and resilient network is designed to provide mutual support in potential defence situations. The province has swiftly undertaken planning to implement the defence land database and ensure the allocation and utilisation of land for military purposes. This includes constructing headquarters for commune-level military commands, adhering to approved plans and projects. Regular reviews and updates to military zoning ensure that key defence works are appropriately located and aligned with operational strategies, local terrain, and the disposition of the province’s armed forces, Military Region 3, and Ministry of National Defence units to avoid overlapping, inefficiency, and resource wastage. Given the limited budget for defence and military construction, the province has mobilised resources from both central and local government budgets, prioritising essential projects. These include command centres, evacuation zones, secret concentration areas, combat bases, rear bases, and firepower positions.

Armed with high political resolve, creative approaches, prudent yet flexible strategy, and a solid foundation of achievements and experience, Hai Duong is determined to overcome challenges and achieve success in building a robust all-people national defence. This will provide a solid foundation for advancing industrialisation, modernisation, and economic prosperity, while preserving cultural values and strengthening defence and security. In this way, Hai Duong continues to contribute to the collective progress of Vietnam as the nation embarks on a new era of growth and global integration.

Senior Colonel VU HONG ANH, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Commander of the Provincial Military Command