Thoroughly grasping President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology on building culture and discipline within the military, the Military Party Committee and the Military Command of Quang Ninh Province have concretised these principles into the emulation movement titled “Fostering a cultured lifestyle, self-discipline, and strict observance of regulations”, which has generated clear changes in developing a healthy military cultural environment, while raising the organisational awareness and discipline of cadres and soldiers; contributing to building an “exemplarily, typically” comprehensively strong provincial armed force.

Within President Ho Chi Minh’s ideological legacy, culture and discipline are two fundamental spiritual values that form the foundation for shaping the courage, character, and comprehensive strength of our Army.

He emphasised: “In terms of spiritual matters, attention must be paid to enhancing discipline, eliminating corruption, developing culture, and strengthening political direction within the troops”. This consistent guidance aims to build the provincial armed force strong in politics, ideology, ethics, organisation, and personnel; living with ideals and maintaining a close bond with the People. To implement these ideas, the Provincial Military Party Committee has issued documents leading and directing the study and following of President Ho Chi Minh; established assisting agencies and developed specific operational regulations. Notably, the emulation movement “Fostering a cultured lifestyle, self-discipline, and strict observance of regulations” in accordance with Uncle Ho’s teachings has been implemented comprehensively, with clearly defined priorities. Within this effort, the work of “political and ideological education is considered a matter of utmost importance” and serves as the “root” enabling cadres and soldiers to be deeply aware and transform Uncle Ho’s teachings into daily actions.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Quang Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Political Department checks party work and political work of Quang Ninh Military Command

Fostering exemplary military cultural values

To build a solid foundation for military culture, agencies and units regularly grasp and strictly implement the resolutions, directives, and conclusions of the Political Bureau and the Central Military Commission, with key focus on Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW dated 18 May 2021 of the Political Bureau on continuing the implementation of Directive No. 05-CT/TW dated 15 May 2016 of the Political Bureau (12th tenure) on promoting the study and practice of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and lifestyle; Regulation No. 144-QĐ/TW dated 9 May 2024 of the Political Bureau on revolutionary ethical standards for cadres and Party members in the new period; Resolution No. 847-NQ/QUTW dated 28 December 2021 of the Central Military Commission on promoting the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” and resolutely combating individualism in the new situation; Resolution No. 17-NQ/TU dated 30 October 2023 of the Party Executive Committee of Quang Ninh Province on building and promoting the cultural values and human strengths of Quang Ninh as an endogenous resource and driver for rapid and sustainable development; and the Movement to promote tradition, dedicate talent, and be worthy of the title “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” in the new era. At the same time, models of “Four-good Party cell” and “Four-good grassroots Party organisation” are being expanded and widely promoted, demanding every cadre and Party member to “constantly improve their political, ideological, cultural, and ethical qualities, and steadfastly uphold their pioneering and exemplary role”.

Propaganda and educational work have been conducted in a flexible, diverse, and enriched manner, combining traditional and modern methods, especially digital transformation, making it easier for cadres and soldiers to access, understand, and widely disseminate President Ho Chi Minh’s cultural and ideological values. Agencies and units have closely coordinated with local departments, sectors, and mass organisations, effectively utilising the system of Ho Chi Minh heritage sites (including the Co To Special National Relic Site, the memorial site of Uncle Ho’s visit to the Deo Nai coal mine, Ngoc Vung Island, Hong Thai Tay, Tuan Chau, Mong Cai, etc.) and other historical and cultural sites in the area, identifying them as “red addresses” with vivid practical value that contribute to fostering revolutionary ideals, fortitude, and ethics among cadres and soldiers. Political sessions of “Self-reflection, self-correction”, youth forums, seminars, competitions, cultural and artistic contests; the “Uncle Ho’s Teachings” category on internal broadcasting systems and electronic portals; and the compilation and distribution of propaganda leaflets have created a rich, diverse, and engaging environment for cultural cultivation. In particular, the “Pink Book” model (recording good deeds) and the “Brown Book” model (recording shortcomings) have been maintained regularly and publicly on a monthly basis, enabling cadres and soldiers to conduct self-review, strengthen their determination to strive, cultivate, and improve themselves. This, in turn, helps shape the proper conduct, speech, and behaviour of military personnel, while widely spreading the traditional cultural value of “Discipline and Solidarity” of the Mining region and fostering new cultural qualities among cadres and soldiers.

Conducting extreme training

At the same time, agencies and units effectively implement the Campaign “Building a wholesome, healthy, and enriching cultural environment in the military”, focusing on “Building and practicing cultural standards in leadership and management. Paying attention to building a healthy, democratic, united, and humane workplace culture; and pushing back bureaucracy, factionalism, disunity, opportunism, and pragmatism”. Emphasis is also put on caring for the material and spiritual well-being of cadres and soldiers; and building prosperous, progressive, and happy families for military personnel, creating a solid foundation that enables each soldier to work with peace of mind. The armed forces effectively promote cultural systems, improve the quality of activities held on Political, Cultural and Mental Days, and expanded and disseminated models such as “Exemplary cultural units”, “Standardised, green, clean, and beautiful barracks construction and management”, and “Smoke-free youth cells”, while also launch a wide range of healthy and beneficial activities to attract the participation of service members, especially during off-duty hours and rest days. At the same time, efforts are made to regularly raise cadres’ and soldiers’ vigilance against the negative impacts of anti-cultural elements and harmful, toxic information, as well as against the schemes and tactics of “peaceful evolution” and the “depoliticisation” of the Military. The goal is to nurture each service member into a cultural soldier and each unit into a cultural beacon. Bearing in mind Uncle Ho’s teachings during his visit to Ngoc Vung Island (12 November 1962) that “The Army and the people must be united, the army must assist the people in building cooperatives; the people must support the army in combat and combat service”, the provincial armed forces must consistently fulfill their role as a “working army”; they must regularly stay close to the grassroots level and proactively assist the people in socio-economic development, new rural development, disaster prevention and response, search and rescue operations, disease prevention and control, etc. Through these efforts, the humane, responsible, exemplary image and close bond with the people of the provincial armed forces’ officers and soldiers are widely promoted, contributing to the further consolidation of the “people’s hearts posture”.

Promoting self-discipline and strict observation to regulations

Fully aware of the dialectical relationship between culture and discipline, the Military Party Committee and the Military Command of the province have identified discipline training as a core factor in building a cultural environment; at the same time, it is considered a breakthrough area that plays a direct role in improving the overall quality and combat readiness of the provincial armed forces. Deeply imbued with Uncle Ho’s teaching: “To raise fighting spirit, it is of course necessary to study politics and military science and to strictly observe military discipline. Discipline is the strength of the army”, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Military Party Committee issued resolutions and thematic conclusions on discipline observance and the building of regularity. Agencies and units have implemented a wide range of synchronised and innovative measures, maintaining strict compliance with regulations on troop management; strictly implementing regular order, daily and weekly routines, staff duty and combat duty missions. Inspection and supervision work have been conducted regularly, with task performance results closely linked to the evaluation and classification of cadres and Party members, commendation, transfers, and appointments.

Women of the Provincial Armed Forces with reading culture

The dissemination and education of the law have been renewed in a substantive and effective manner, with a focus on educating and fostering among officers and soldiers a strong sense of law observance, voluntary and strict discipline; a high sense of responsibility, and a proper attitude in daily life, study, and professional relations. One hundred percent of military personnel sign commitments not to violate discipline, together with their annual commitment form for training and self-improvement. Each cadre and soldier is fully aware of and effectively implements the principle: “Live in accordance with the law, act in line with regulations, and work according to assigned responsibilities”. Alongside this, the contingent of cadres and Party members, especially those in leadership positions, continuously uphold their pioneering and exemplary role, stay close to the grassroots level, and promptly grasp and resolve emerging issues, preventing passivity or unexpected situations. In particular, during the process of restructuring and consolidating forces and organisations in line with the policy of streamlining the apparatus, agencies and units have proactively captured the thoughts and aspirations of cadres and soldiers, carried out ideological work effectively, arranged and assigned personnel appropriately, properly addressed policies and entitlements, thereby fostering consensus and stabilising the living conditions of the troops.

Many models supporting cadres and soldiers in cultivating discipline awareness have been effectively maintained, such as “Self-managed discipline teams”, “Regulation compliance diaries”, and “Psychological-legal counseling teams for military personnel”,... contributing to the formation of disciplined lifestyle and strict observance of government laws and military discipline. Annually, the provincial armed forces have ensured absolute safety, with no serious incidents occurring; the rate of normal violations has been reduced to below 0.2%; and 100% of units have met the standard of “Discipline safety”. Regular order and discipline, as well as the overall strength of the provincial armed forces, have been increasingly reinforced.

The emulation movement “Fostering a cultured lifestyle, self-discipline, and strict observance of regulations” has become a strong driving force encouraging cadres and soldiers of the provincial armed forces to successfully accomplish their assigned tasks. During the 2016-2025 period, the Provincial Military Command was honoured by the State with the First-Class Military Exploit Order, the Second- and Third-Class Fatherland Defence Orders; three times received Certificates of Merit and five times received Government Emulation Flags. Many of its collectives and individuals were commended for their outstanding achievements in studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and lifestyle.

Studying and following Uncle Ho is a regular and long-term task, as well as the responsibility and honour of every cadre and soldier of the provincial armed forces. Building on the achievements attained, the Military Party Committee and the Military Command of the Province will continue to provide leadership and direction to further promote the emulation movement “Fostering a cultured lifestyle, self-discipline, and strict observance of regulations”, closely linked with building clean and strong Party organisations and “exemplarily, typically” comprehensively strong units, thereby meeting the requirements and tasks of safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation.

Senior Colonel, M.A. HOANG VAN THUYET, Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command