Over the years, the Vietnam Veterans' Association (VVA) has consistently demonstrated its role as a political - social organisation that is absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, the State, and the people, acting as a reliable pillar for party committees, authorities, and the people at grass-roots level. As the country enters a new era of development, building a politically and ideologically strong VVA is both an objective and a driving force, creating a solid foundation for it to effectively fulfil its functions and tasks and make practical contributions to the cause of national construction and defence.

Guided by the Party’s viewpoints and lines on building strong political - social organisations in the new situation, the VVA has always attached great importance to strengthening itself politically and ideologically. This is regarded as the core foundation for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the VVA’s activities as well as for promoting the role, standing, and prestige of veterans in the country’s political and social life.

Members of the VVA join A80 grand parade (photo: chinhphu.vn)

The 7^th Central Executive Committee of the VVA identified the task of “building a politically, ideologically, morally strong VVA” as one of the key priorities throughout its 2022 - 2027 tenure. To this end, it issued Specialised Resolution 02/NQ-CCB, dated 12 January 2024, on “Building a politically and ideologically strong VVA in the new period”. On this basis, the Standing Board of the VVA Central Committee and all-level Veterans’ Associations have promptly organised the study and dissemination of the Resolution, formulated practical action programmes and plans, and regularly directed a reform in the content and methods of political and ideological education for their cadres and members. Information dissemination activities have been conducted extensively, particularly on the occasion of major anniversaries and important political events of the country and the VVA. These activities have contributed to fostering revolutionary ideal, raising political awareness, and consolidating resolve, determination, and a sense of responsibility among cadres and members in the face of new task requirements.

The VVA has also developed a plan to streamline the organisational structure of its Central Office to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness. It has thoroughly implemented regulations and decisions concerning the termination of the operations of its Party Delegation and district-level Veterans’ Associations. Provincial-level and commune-level Veterans' Associations have been reorganised in line with the two-tier local government system, and swiftly commenced operations on 1 July 2025. Particular attention has been paid to building a contingent of VVA cadres who are exemplary in political qualities, ethics, and lifestyle and possess professional competence, scientific working methods, and close engagement with grass-roots level. Efforts to strengthen internal solidarity, enhance cooperation with member organisations within the political system, and promote international friendship have continued to be reinforced, thereby generating collective strength for the successful fulfilment of the VVA’s political tasks.

Notably, the VVA has consistently prioritised protecting the legitimate rights and interests of its members. It has effectively implemented policies and programmes promoting comradeship and mutual support, actively participated in social welfare initiatives, met the target of eliminating temporary and dilapidated housing ahead of schedule, supported members in economic development and sustainable poverty reduction, and promptly assisted those affected by natural disasters and other difficulties in life. These efforts have demonstrated the profound humanity, fine traditions, and qualities of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers”, contributing to cementing the people’s trust in the Party, the State, and the VVA.

Effectively combining the execution of the Resolution of the 4^th Plenum of the 13^th Party Central Committee on Party building and rectification with the study and following of Ho Chi Minh’s thought, ethics, and lifestyle has generated positive changes in building the VVA, contributing to strengthening the Party. On the ideological and theoretical front, Veterans' Associations at all levels have successfully played their vanguard role, proactively participating in protecting the Party’s ideological foundation and effectively countering erroneous and hostile views as well as toxic information. In doing so, they have helped build a solid “shield” against the negative impacts and hostile forces' “peaceful evolution” plots.

Traditional education work for the youth carried out by members of the VVA (photo: qdnd.vn)

Through their activities, cadres and members have consistently maintained and promoted the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” and the tradition of “Loyalty, solidarity, exemplary conduct, and innovation”. They have showcased a strong sense of responsibility, taken the lead in movements and campaigns, and successfully fulfilled their assigned tasks, thus proving themselves to be a reliable political force of the Party, the State, and the people, as well as a core member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Particularly, amid a rapidly evolving, complex, and unpredictable regional and global landscape, cadres and members have remained steadfast in their revolutionary ideal and firmly maintained their political mettle. They have made significant contributions to consolidating socio-political stability and strengthening the great national unity bloc, serving as a trusted pillar for local party committees, authorities, and citizens.

As the country enters a new era of development where opportunities and challenges are closely intertwined with one another, the increasingly demanding tasks of Fatherland construction and protection, together with political system consolidation require the VVA to remain politically and ideologically strong, preserve its revolutionary nature, maintain unity in will and action, and promote its core role in strengthening the great national unity bloc, thereby meeting the requirements of the new stage of development. To this end, the VVA will focus on implementing the following key tasks and solutions.

First, strengthening leadership and direction over the building of a politically and ideologically strong VVA. Executive Committees and Standing Boards of Veterans’ Associations at all levels should regularly direct the building of their associations in terms of politics, ideology, and morality, considering this the foundation and prerequisite for building pure and strong associations. This includes continuing to study, implement, review, and update action programmes aimed at executing Specialised Resolutions to reflect the reorganisation of veterans' associations and the new mechanism under which the Vietnam Fatherland Front directly manages and guides their activities. Action programmes should be comprehensively and consistently translated into concrete measures in accordance with the Resolution of the 14^th National Party Congress, the Resolution of the VVA's 8^th National Congress, and Regulation 19-QD/TW, dated 8 April 2026, issued by the 14^th Party Central Committee on political and ideological work within the Party, while the specific characteristics and practical requirements of each locality and unit should be taken into account to ensure both consistency in direction and flexibility in implementation.

Second, renewing political and ideological education and improving the quality and effectiveness of this work. It is necessary to closely monitor ideological trends and public opinion among cadres and members, strengthen guidance and management, and promptly address issues arising at grass-roots level to avoid being caught off guard. Educational efforts should concentrate on fostering and promoting the qualities, traditions, and cultural values of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” in the new situation, raising awareness and consolidating the trust of cadres and members in Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought, the Party’s renewal policy and strategic decisions, the State’s policies and laws, and the VVA’s political tasks. Meanwhile, the study and following of Ho Chi Minh’s thought, ethics, and lifestyle should continue to be accelerated in close association with the implementation of the Party Central Committee’s resolutions, directives, and regulations on building and rectifying the Party and developing a pure, strong political system.

Veterans’ Associations at all levels should fully play their core role in contributing to the building and protection of the Party, the State, and the people, proactively combat erroneous and hostile views, and fight manifestations of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” from within. In addition, they should effectively organise information dissemination and traditional education activities, patriotic emulation movements, and gratitude and remembrance activities on the occasion of major national holidays and significant political events of the country and the VVA.

Third, building a comprehensively strong VVA and its contingent of cadres capable of meeting their task requirements in the new situation. Veterans’ Associations at all levels should continue to advise on and propose improvements to the organisational structure, functions, tasks, and working relationships in line with the specific characteristics of veterans and practical requirements. Administrative reform should be further accelerated through reducing procedures and paperwork and promoting the application of IT and digital transformation in the management, administration, and organisation of the VVA’s activities. Concurrently, proactive efforts should be made to disseminate information and encourage eligible individuals to join the VVA. Inspection and supervision should be enhanced to promptly detect and strictly handle violations of the VVA’s Charter. Emphasis should be placed on building a contingent of cadres, especially leading cadres at all levels, who are truly exemplary in political qualities, ethics, and lifestyle, possess strong professional qualifications, competence, and scientific working methods, maintain close ties with grass-roots level, and enjoy high credibility among local party committees, authorities, and members. Due attention should be paid to enhancing the competence and qualifications of chairpersons of grassroots-level Veterans’ Associations.

Fourth, consolidating internal solidarity, expanding coordination, promoting international cooperation to generate combined strength for building a politically and ideologically strong VVA. Due regard should be paid to fostering internal solidarity and unity. Executive Committees and Standing Boards at all levels should truly serve as centres of unity and nuclei for promoting responsibility and comradeship throughout the VVA. At the same time, solidarity, mutual support, and cooperation among generations of veterans should be strengthened; the VVA’s core role should be further enhanced within the great national unity bloc and the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Veterans' Associations at all levels should effectively execute cooperation regulations and working programmes with the Government, ministries, sectors, mass organisations, and the Vietnam Veterans’ Business Association in order to successfully carry out emulation movements, campaigns, and national target programmes. In addition, the VVA should continue to raise the effectiveness of friendship and cooperation with veterans’ organisations of neighbouring countries, VECONAC member countries, and traditional partners, while actively mobilising support from non-governmental organisations for programmes addressing the consequences of war and Agent Orange/dioxin, as well as the Vietnam Friendship Village's activities.

Fifth, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of members. Social supervision and criticism regarding the implementation of policies for veterans, former servicemen, and people with meritorious services to the revolution should be enhanced. The VVA should proactively propose and recommend improvements to mechanisms and policies directly affecting the lives of its members. At the same time, support funds should be managed and used efficiently to help members overcome difficulties and stabilise their livelihoods. Close coordination with relevant sectors and mass organisations is required to effectively conduct gratitude and remembrance activities, and care for the families of wounded veterans, martyrs, and those in difficult circumstances. Importance should be attached to the timely settlement of complaints and petitions to protect the legitimate rights and interests of members. The VVA should continue studying and proposing solutions to the remaining shortcomings in policies and entitlements, particularly social insurance and health insurance for its members, thereby cementing their trust in and attachment to the Association.

Building a politically and ideologically strong VVA is a task of fundamental significance that directly determines the quality of its activities in the new period. It is also an important condition for preserving the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers”, strengthening the political mettle of the VVA's cadres and members, and reinforcing their trust in the Party’s leadership. By doing so, the VVA will further promote its role within the political system and make practical contributions to realising the country’s strategic development goals in the new era.

Lt. Gen. KHUAT VIET DUNG

Vice Chairman of the VVA