In response to the requirements of building the Army and safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation, on 18 April 2023, the Ministry of National Defence promulgated Decision No. 1520/QĐ-BQP on the merger of Engineer Brigade 219/Army Corps 2 into Engineer Brigade 575 and the reorganisation of Engineer Brigade 575 under Military Region 1. Accordingly, the Brigade entered a new phase of development in terms of both organisational scale and assigned tasks, particularly the task of constructing defence works.

To fulfil its assigned missions, alongside resolute measures to consolidate its organisational structure and build a comprehensively strong, “exemplary and typical” unit, the Brigade Party Committee and Command have focused their leadership and direction on improving the quality of training in close association with the construction of defence works. This has been identified as a breakthrough area for training, fostering and comprehensively enhancing the troops’ capabilities, thereby raising the Unit’s overall quality and combat strength.

Field training

With strong determination and scientifically grounded, appropriate measures, within a short period, the Brigade has achieved significant progress in both training and construction. In the 2025 inspections, 100 per cent of subjects and units met the required standards, of which over 80 per cent were rated good or excellent. Participating in the All-Army Search and Rescue Competition, the Brigade won Second Prize and was awarded the “Outstanding Training Unit” flag by the Ministry of National Defence. The Brigade fulfilled 100 per cent of its planned targets for defence construction on schedule, ensuring quality, secrecy and absolute safety, and received high commendation and recognition from the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and the Military Region.

To achieve these results, the Brigade has, first and foremost, concentrated on providing thorough dissemination and education for cadres and soldiers particularly Party committee members and commanders at all levels on improving the quality of training in association with the implementation of construction tasks, thereby ensuring unity in both awareness and action throughout the Unit. The Brigade Party Committee and Command have thoroughly grasped resolutions, directives and guidance of higher authorities on training, combat readiness and construction tasks, with emphasis on Resolution No. 19-NQ/ĐU dated 16 March 2023 of the Military Region Party Committee on enhancing training quality for the period 2023–2030 and beyond; Order No. 01/CL-QK dated 1 January 2025 of the Military Region Commander on military and defence tasks; and Directive No. 160/CT-QK dated 28 February 2025 of the Military Region Commander on the construction of combat works. To enhance effectiveness, the Brigade has required its subordinate offices and units to exercise comprehensive yet focused leadership, prioritising breakthrough measures to thoroughly overcome existing shortcomings in training in tandem with improving the quality of construction. In particular, the Brigade has directed the resolute implementation of the “Five Clarities” model, thereby promoting the dynamism and creativity of cadres and commanders at all levels, while enabling Party committees and commanders to accurately assess the performance results of each individual and unit.

Alongside these efforts, the Brigade has promoted innovation and improved the quality of political and ideological education, ensuring that all cadres and soldiers fully understand the position, significance and importance of training and defence construction tasks; firmly grasp the contents, targets and requirements of their missions, as well as the difficulties and challenges involved; and build firm political steadfastness, a strong sense of responsibility and determination to overcome all hardships and dangers in order to accomplish their assigned tasks with distinction. In parallel, the Brigade has vigorously promoted the Determined-to-Win Emulation Movement, focusing on the outstanding performance of training and construction tasks, and resolutely overcoming manifestations of lax leadership, subjectivism, the shirking of responsibility or the reduction of content, time and standards in the execution of these missions. As a result, 100 per cent of the Brigade’s cadres and soldiers remain devoted to their duties, attached to and fond of their unit, united and cohesive, confident in their leadership and command, and determined to successfully fulfil their assigned responsibilities and tasks.

As a combined-arms engineer unit at campaign level under the Military Region, the Brigade’s training subjects are diverse, encompassing various specialities and categories of personnel, while construction tasks are frequently conducted in dispersed locations across multiple areas. Drawing on years of experience in combining defence construction with training, the Brigade has proactively undertaken early and thorough preparations in all respects. In line with guidance from higher authorities, particularly new regulations of the General Staff regarding training documentation and statistical records, the Brigade directed its Operations Office to take the lead, in coordination with the Political Office and the Logistics–Technical Office, in organising training courses and providing detailed guidance to each individual and unit on the preparation of a complete, standardised and regulation-compliant system of training documents, ensuring scientific rigour and feasibility. At the same time, resources have been mobilised to upgrade and renew training grounds, practice fields and training models in the direction of “practical, synchronised and safe”.

On the job training

Thanks to this creative approach, in recent years, the Brigade has consistently performed well in training preparations. In 2025 alone, 32 technical innovations and improved training models were effectively applied to both training and construction activities, receiving recognition and high appraisal from higher authorities.

In addition to thorough preparation, the Brigade has paid due attention to reviewing, supplementing, refining and standardising the contents, programmes and scenarios of training and construction tasks, with particular emphasis on developing professional skills for all categories of personnel. Closely adhering to the objectives, targets and guiding viewpoints set out in Resolution No. 1659-NQ/QUTW of the Central Military Commission and Order No. 05/ML-QK dated 6 January 2025 of the Military Region on the implementation of training tasks in 2025, as well as its assigned functions and missions, the Brigade has focused on studying and adjusting training contents, programmes, organisation and methods for technical training, infantry combat tactics and specialised engineer training in line with its organisation, equipment and mission requirements. During implementation, the Brigade has directed its offices and units to conduct comprehensive training with clear focal points and priorities; to concentrate on enabling troops to master weapons and technical equipment, particularly newly issued materiel; to become proficient in infantry combat techniques and tactics and highly skilled in engineer specialities; and to manoeuvre rapidly and flexibly, ensuring engineer support both by day and by night, under complex and demanding conditions with limited preparation time.

To achieve high effectiveness, alongside strictly maintaining the routine of refresher training and lesson-plan approval prior to training days combined with inspections through trial lectures, reports and presentations, the Brigade requires that, before undertaking defence construction tasks, exercises, and similar missions, all personnel receive supplementary training. At the same time, it has expanded the close integration of training with construction tasks directly at key project sites, effectively “turning construction sites into training grounds”. Moreover, the Brigade requires its offices and units to apply the “flexible training” model. For forces assigned to construction tasks, theoretical content is delivered during waiting periods between construction phases or on rainy days; specialised engineer subjects are conducted directly at construction sites in shifts and teams in line with construction schedules. Concurrently, units are directed to conduct combat engineer training subjects while undertaking specific components of projects, such as opening manoeuvre routes, reinforcing positions, constructing bunkers and trenches, and building storage yards and material assembly areas, thereby contributing to improved quality and progress of construction works.

Given the complex and specialised nature of training and defence construction which involves various types of weapons, equipment and explosives, while most projects are located in mountainous and forested terrain with unstable geology prone to subsidence and landslides the risk to safety is considerable. The Brigade therefore places strong emphasis on technical assurance and safety. Based on comprehensive reviews and assessments of the status of weapons, equipment, vehicles and specialised engineer machinery, the Brigade formulates detailed technical support plans, clearly assigning responsibilities to each office, unit and individual, ensuring that all equipment put into use meets technical standards, is synchronised and operates safely. At the same time, it strictly maintains routines of preservation, maintenance and both periodic and ad hoc technical inspections, considering this a key measure to minimise incidents during training and construction.

Night training

The Brigade also attaches special importance to thoroughly disseminating and educating personnel on regulations governing safety in training and construction. It organises training courses to ensure detailed understanding of technical procedures, occupational safety measures, and accident and fire prevention and control, tailored to the characteristics of each type of project. Commanding officers are assigned to directly supervise and monitor developments in terrain and geology by shift and team, promptly detecting potential safety risks and adjusting construction measures accordingly. Supervisory and safety teams are required to intensify inspections at key points and resolutely rectify any manifestations of subjectivism or violations of technical procedures.

Alongside ensuring technical support and safety in construction, the Brigade strictly maintains regularity building, discipline, and military courtesy and bearing at construction sites; it fully implements regulations on confidentiality and camouflage immediately upon commencing new project items, thereby safeguarding secrecy. Simultaneously, it promotes production activities to improve troops’ living conditions and ensure good health for cadres and soldiers, particularly those assigned to independent construction detachments. As a result, the Brigade’s training and construction activities are consistently conducted safely and effectively, creating a firm foundation for the successful fulfilment of all assigned missions.

Building on the results achieved, Engineer Brigade 575 will continue to promote renewal, proactiveness and creativity, closely combining theory with practice, and continuously improving the quality of training, combat readiness, defence construction and other assigned tasks, thereby meeting the requirements and missions in the new situation.

Senior Colonel NGUYEN THANH VU, Brigade Commander