The 189th Brigade (of the Navy) is equipped with new types of weapons and technical equipment that are highly specialised and advanced, together with a synchronised, modern shore-based system. Therefore, from its establishment, the Brigade has concentrated on training to master its weapons and equipment, fully exploiting the superior technical and tactical features of its vessels and remaining ready to carry out missions as directed by higher command; at the same time, it has advised the Party Committee, the Navy Command, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence on operational plans for using submarines in combat to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland’s seas and islands.

Fully aware of the mission requirements and the great responsibility entrusted to them, the Party Committee and Command of the Brigade have been focusing on leading and directing the vigorous and comprehensive implementation of multiple measures to improve its overall quality and combat power, identifying this as a key and continuous objective, both for the immediate term and for the long run.

Create breakthroughs in specialised training and strengthen strategic deterrence

Given the complex and unpredictable developments in the global and regional situation, especially in the East Sea, training to master new and modern weapons and equipment, putting them into effective operation, and enhancing maritime control capability and strategic deterrence hold exceptional importance for maintaining peace, stability, and safeguarding national interests. To meet this strategic requirement, immediately after completing overseas transfer training, the Brigade proactively cooperated with appropriate authorities to research and develop training programmes; translate and compile documents, diagrams, and images related to new weapons and equipment; and build a set of training curricula for each specialisation, ensuring scientific and unified. At the same time, it advised higher command to focus resources on investing in simulation training systems, training grounds, practice fields, and classrooms suited to the technical features of the weaponry and equipment.

Specialised physical training for submarine crew

During implementation, the Brigade has concentrated its leadership and direction on making breakthroughs in fundamental training, mastering advanced skills in operating weapons and equipment, while strictly observing safety regulations. It also emphasised practical training in accordance with operational plans, combat targets, specific situation, and battle scenarios; taking the management and protection of sea and island sovereignty as the training objective, and taking the battlefield as the training ground. Accordingly, commanders and agencies focus on training to enhance knowledge, command capabilities, management, operational skills, and training methods. For subordinate units, training focuses on mastering technical proficiency, submarine tactics, and strengthening training related to ship survivability, escape procedures - shallow diving, operations under complex weather conditions, and long-range maritime combat. To further enhance effectiveness, along with promoting the innovation of organising content and forms, and training methods; improving the quality of training management and administration, the Brigade also emphasises organising specialised competitions and drills, such as Combat Crew Competitions, Excellent Watch Officer Contests, Excellent Weapons Officer Contests, and Excellent Engineering Officer Contests, in order to build a team of highly professional, competent, and well-structured officers suited to their duties aboard submarines.

The Brigade also strictly maintains the regime of command duty, workplace duty, combat duty, patrols and guards to ensure the security of its agencies and units; closely coordinates with other forces, firmly grasps the situation, and proactively proposes to the Navy effective submarine utilisation plans to avoid being passive or surprised. The Brigade studies, proposes, and perfects the system of operational documents, and plans to protect sea and island sovereignty that are closely aligned with the situation and the technical-tactical features of submarines. It also organises its crews to combine training in reconnaissance and maritime patrol, etc. As a result, all of the Brigade’s submarines were incorporated into the Navy’s combat formation ahead of schedule. Notably, since 2019, the Brigade’s submarines have successfully conducted hundreds of sea voyages and accumulated thousands of hours of diving with absolute safety; including many operations in key, offshore, long-duration maritime areas under complex hydro-meteorological conditions. The Brigade has also successfully fulfilled search and rescue missions when incidents occurred. These achievements are the clearest evidence of the presence, control, mastery and strategic deterrent capability of the submarine force across all maritime zones of the Fatherland’s sovereignty.

Build an “iron will” in the heart of the ocean

This is both a mission and the top-tier solution, creating a solid foundation to enhance the unit’s combat strength. To fulfill this task, the Brigade regularly disseminates to the troops the Party’s defense and military viewpoints and guidelines; the regulations, statutes, and the Naval Command’s and units’ regimes and rules on combat readiness. At the same time, it conducts deep, detailed dissemination, education and orientation to ensure that the soldiers have a correct understanding of the global and regional situation, especially the latest developments in the maritime and island areas under their responsibility for management and protection.

In political education, following the Brigade’s directives, agencies and units actively innovate the content, forms, and methods in the direction of being concise, easy to remember, and easy to understand; emphasising the exemplary role of cadres in educating soldiers. Particularly, in implementing Directive No. 2423-CT/QUTW dated 9 November 2023, issued by the Standing Committee of the Central Military Party Committee on renovating and improving the quality of political education in the new period, the Brigade has proactively studied, compiled, and incorporated into teaching specialised topics relevant to the unit’s missions; strengthened the application of information technology in political education; and integrated basic political education with legal education and other forms of educational activity. It also promotes the study and follow of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and style, in close association with the Emulation to Promote tradition, dedicate talent, and be worthy of the title “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers – Naval Soldiers”.

Conducting training on rescuing ship

Along with that, the Brigade has strengthened measures to manage, grasp, and resolve ideology issues, avoiding passivity or unexpected situations, preventing “self-evolution”, and firmly maintaining ideological position and political stability within the unit. Party committees and commanders at all levels have effectively implemented the principles of “Five Proactives” and “Three Meetings, Four Together, Five Graspings” in ideological work, while also paying close attention to improving material and spiritual welfare and effectively carrying out policy works supporting soldier’s families. The Party Committee of the Brigade has led and effectively implemented the breakthrough initiative of “Two Qualities, Two Exemplars”, and the building of “Four-Good” Party cells; strictly observed the principles of democratic centralism, collective leadership, and individual responsibility; emphasised self-criticism and criticism; strengthened inspection and supervision; and strictly adhered to the government’s laws, the regulations of the Party and the military, thereby contributing to enhance the quality and effectiveness of building comprehensively strong “exemplary and typical” Party organisation, agencies, and units.

Follow special discipline and submarine culture

The distinctive feature of submarines is that even the smallest mistake can lead to a disaster. Therefore, strict discipline is not only a principle but also a vital technical requirement. Bearing this in mind, the Brigade has focused on leading and directing the development and strict implementation of the Plan for building a model unit in command training, regulation construction, and discipline management. The emphasis is placed on strictly maintaining daily, weekly, and monthly routines; actively promoting the implementation of the models “Three Exemplars” and “Three Definitives”, in association with building submarine culture criteria characterised by “Three Specials, Four Goods, and Five Nos”. During implementation, the Brigade attaches great importance to combining education and persuasion with administrative handling solutions; sending staff from higher levels to the grassroots level to directly supervise, guide, and urge compliance. As a result, the discipline and quality of building and training regulations of the Brigade are constantly improved; and the unit has been recognised as one of the most disciplined units, maintaining exemplary regularity, ranking among the top in the Navy and the entire military.

Promote internal strength and self-reliance in ensuring logistics and technologies, laying the solid foundation for combat strength

As a technical and combat unit that operates closely with modern weapons and equipment; some submarines and forces operate continuously for long periods under harsh environmental conditions, the Brigade places great emphasis on logistics and technical work to enhance combat strength. Its goal is to ensure comprehensive and timely provision in all aspects, enabling submarines to deploy rapidly and operate at sea for extended periods, with secrecy and safety. Accordingly, along with effectively implementing breakthroughs in establishing regular technical discipline and mastering weapons and technical equipment, the Brigade proactively coordinates with other units and research institutes while promoting its internal capacity to research, design, manufacture, and put into service supplies and equipment under the tropicalisation plan and programme. As a result, the technical coefficient of its weapons and equipment has consistently met and exceeded prescribed standards by 3% to 5%.

In logistics work, the Brigade focuses on ensuring full implementation of all regimes and standards, particularly in providing food, accommodation, living conditions, and healthcare for its soldiers; effectively promoting production models, diversifying livestock and crops suited to the unit’s actual conditions. To ensure vessels can deploy rapidly and operate for extended periods at sea, the Brigade has actively renovated its logistical support methods by enhancing decentralisation to lower levels while adjusting the reserve quantities of combat-ready materials to match the specific requirements of each component force.

With strong political determination and scientific, synchronous measures, the Brigade’s overall quality and combat strength have constantly improved. During the 2020–2025 period, the Brigade was awarded the First-Class Fatherland Defence Order by the government; received two Emulation Flags from the Prime Minister and three Emulation Flags from the Minister of National Defence. Notably, on 12 August 2025, it was honoured by the State President with the title of “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces”.

Building upon these achievements, in the coming time, the officers and soldiers of the 189th Naval Brigade will continue to uphold the spirit of unity, strive to emulate, and promote the tradition of “Solidarity and discipline; secrecy and surprise; determined to fight, determined to win”. It will further enhance overall quality and combat strength, ready to successfully accomplish all assigned missions, contributing alongside other forces to firmly protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Colonel NGUYEN TIEN DOAT, Brigade Commander