After national reunification, to contribute to the management and firm defence of the sacred sovereignty over Vietnam’s seas and islands, on 6 November 1975, the Ministry of National Defence issued Decision No.180/QĐ-QP, reorganising the Engineering Battalion into the Engineering Centre under the Navy, officially designated as Regiment 131 (the forerunner of today’s Naval Engineering Brigade 131).

Throughout its 50-year journey of construction, combat, service, and growth, generations of cadres and soldiers of the Brigade have quietly overcome innumerable hardships, dangers, and sacrifices to accomplish their missions with distinction. They have built military structures, provided essential engineering support for the Navy, and “opened the way” for forces to reach the high seas - thereby making significant contributions to the steadfast defence of the nation’s maritime sovereignty and islands. In recognition of its outstanding achievements, the Brigade has been conferred the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces twice in 1989 and 2005, awarded five Feat Orders (one First Class, two Second Class, and two Third Class), and three Fatherland Defence Orders (two First Class and one Second Class). It has also received numerous other high distinctions from the Government, the Ministry of National Defence, and the Navy.

The Party Executive Committee of the Brigade for the 2025 - 2030 tenure

In recent years, amid new demands arising from the Navy’s mission of force development and the defence of the nation’s maritime sovereignty, the Brigade’s tasks have continued to evolve. Alongside its central political duties of training and combat readiness, the Brigade has been entrusted with many vital responsibilities - including the construction of military works, detection and disposal of bombs, mines, and explosives, disaster prevention, search and rescue operations, and other specialised missions. Even in peacetime, its cadres and soldiers are often required to deploy to remote, isolated, and hazardous locations - deep inland, along the borders, and in the wind-swept, wave-battered outposts of the sea and islands. Their work remains perilous and arduous, frequently exposing them to danger, hardship, and even the possibility of loss and sacrifice.

To fulfil its assigned tasks with excellence and remain worthy of its proud tradition of “Opening the road to victory” at sea, the Brigade has placed political consolidation at the forefront of all endeavours. This is regarded as the decisive factor ensuring success in every mission. Accordingly, the Brigade Party Committee and Commanders have directed all offices and units to effectively implement plans and directives concerning political education and to enhance the authority and effectiveness of Party and political work in carrying out assigned duties, particularly in training, combat readiness, and the construction of maritime and island defence works, as well as in mine and obstacle clearance, discipline management, and regularisation of unit operations. Special emphasis has been placed on educating and raising awareness among cadres and soldiers about the honour and responsibility entrusted to them as those who “open the way to victory” at sea. The Brigade ensures that every servicemember fully understands the global and regional situation, developments in the East Sea, and the complex issues arising therein; as well as the schemes and tactics employed by external actors and the Party’s and State’s positions and policies on maritime dispute resolution. Through this process, the Brigade has strengthened its personnel’s awareness of both partners and potential adversaries, clarified their understanding of the unit’s mission, and fostered determination, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility in the performance of duties. At the same time, the Brigade has directed its subordinate agencies and units to intensify the practice of grassroots democracy; proactively monitor and manage ideological conditions and interpersonal relations within the ranks; and effectively implement the principles of “Four No’s” and “Three prompt actions.” Problems or ideological concerns are identified and resolved promptly and thoroughly, enabling officers and soldiers to maintain peace of mind, dedication, and commitment to the development of the unit.

Leader of the Brigade inspects teaching aids

In parallel, the Brigade continues to strengthen its organisational structures, focusing particularly on enhancing the leadership capacity and combat effectiveness of Party committees, branches, and organisations, especially those operating independently in difficult and demanding environments. It has effectively implemented the “Four-good” model of Party committees and grassroots Party organisations in conjunction with the development of “typical, exemplary” comprehensively strong units. Furthermore, the Brigade has improved the quality and effectiveness of the Determined-to-Win Emulation Movement, linking it with the promotion of learning and following Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts, ethics, and style, as well as with the campaign “Promoting tradition, dedicating talent, and being worthy of the title Uncle Ho’s soldiers in the new era.” Thanks to these well-tailored measures, it has consistently achieved remarkable results. Every year, 100% of its Party committees and organisations, and over 90% of its cadres and Party members, successfully or excellently fulfil their assigned tasks; 100% of its cadres and Party members maintain firm political steadfastness, without any signs of ideological, moral, or lifestyle degradation.

To continuously uphold the proud tradition of “Opening the road to victory”, the Brigade has focused on improving the quality of training in close conjunction with the effective execution of combat work construction tasks. To achieve these objectives, the Brigade regularly educates its cadres and soldiers on the purpose, requirements, content, and targets of training, aligning them closely with the unit’s engineering and construction missions. It has strengthened the competence of its command staff at all levels, particularly within specialised engineering and construction training frameworks, and developed training programmes, plans, and timetables consistent with the Navy’s directives. These are tailored to each training audience, ensuring regularity, uniformity, and scientific precision. The Brigade also enforces strict approval procedures for lesson plans and teaching materials, while ensuring the full provision of weapons, equipment, and facilities necessary for training. During training, the Brigade directs its subordinate units to focus on a breakthrough stage defined as “mastery of fundamentals, proficiency, and specialisation in the operation and maintenance of weapons and technical equipment; strict adherence to safety regulations; and improvement of officer training quality”, with the defence of the Fatherland’s maritime and island sovereignty as the ultimate training objective. Training programmes prioritise mastery of new weapons and technologies, night training, and field training integrated with combat construction missions. Given the dispersion of its forces across multiple operational areas, the Brigade has adopted the principle of “turning the worksite into the training ground” - integrating construction with training and training with construction in a manner suited to practical conditions. This approach has enhanced professional competence, technical proficiency, and safety awareness among engineers and technical staff directly involved in construction works. As a result, in recent years, 100% of its training subjects have met required standards, with over 80% rated as good or excellent. All specialised engineering training content has achieved excellent results with absolute safety. For many consecutive years, the Brigade has been awarded the “Excellent Training Unit” banner by the Ministry of National Defence and the Navy. All engineering projects undertaken by the Brigade have met the four core criteria of “Secrecy, safety, quality, and timeliness, with cost efficiency,” and have been highly appraised upon inspection and acceptance by higher authorities.

Cadres of the Engineering Corps check the project implemented by the Brigade

Given the highly specialised, complex, and inherently risky nature of its missions, the Brigade has identified regularity building and discipline training as a key breakthrough in fulfilling its political tasks. Accordingly, the Brigade thoroughly disseminates all directives and regulations on building regularity and maintaining discipline to every cadre and soldier; resolutely implements the breakthrough goal of “Building regularity, managing soldiers, ensuring safety, and minimising serious violations of law and discipline,” and enforces the standards of “Three exemplary practices and Three definitive measures.” These efforts aim to continuously enhance self-discipline in observing laws, military regulations, and service protocols. The Brigade promotes the principle of “work according to responsibility, act according to regulations,” with superiors setting examples for subordinates, headquarters setting examples for subordinate units, and cadres setting examples for soldiers. All offices and units rigorously maintain schedules and routines in daily life, training, and work; strictly manage personnel and equipment, especially those engaged in military construction and explosive ordnance disposal, including during off-duty hours and rest periods. At the same time, it integrates the regularity building and discipline training with the cultivation of a healthy cultural environment, developing “regular, bright, green, clean, and beautiful” barracks, and proactively preventing social vices from infiltrating the unit. Thanks to these consistent efforts, the Brigade’s work in discipline and standardisation has made steady and tangible progress. There have been no cases of serious disciplinary violations; minor disciplinary infractions have remained below 0.2%; and for many consecutive years, it has been recognised as a “Typical, exemplary comprehensively strong unit.”

Alongside these priorities, the Brigade consistently ensures the timely and comprehensive provision of logistics and technical support for all assigned missions. Given that its forces are dispersed across multiple areas, primarily in the demanding maritime and island environment, operating with a wide range of specialised and modern equipment, the logistics and technical support function assumes an especially vital role. To successfully fulfil its entrusted responsibilities, the Brigade has directed its logistics and technical department to intensify inspection and supervision of supply and maintenance activities at all levels, while promoting innovation and decentralisation in support management. In the field of logistics, the Brigade places constant emphasis on ensuring that all regulations, standards, and entitlements are met, particularly with regard to accommodation, nutrition, living conditions, and healthcare for soldiers. It pays special attention to ensuring adequate provisions for units stationed on island outposts and in areas where the supply of food and basic commodities is limited. Subordinate units have expanded local production, diversified livestock and crops, and actively applied scientific and technological advances to improve productivity and the quality of self-produced goods. The effective implementation of the “Military logistics branch follows president Hồ Chí Minh’s teachings” emulation movement has significantly contributed to improving the material wellbeing of officers and soldiers. In terms of technical work, the Brigade strictly maintains the prescribed systems for the registration, management, utilisation, and maintenance of weapons, equipment, and technical vehicles - ensuring sufficient quantity and excellent quality for all tasks, especially training, combat readiness, and military construction. It continues to vigorously promote the campaign “Good, durable, safe, economical management and use of weapons and technical equipment, and traffic safety”, as well as the movement for technical innovation and invention. The application of these initiatives in practice has led to substantial cost savings and accelerated the progress of engineering projects.

Honoured and proud of its glorious tradition and achievements, the cadres and soldiers of Naval Engineering Brigade 131 will continue to demonstrate steadfastness, intellect, and creativity - remaining worthy of their pioneering role in “Opening the road to victory” at sea. They stand determined to contribute to building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern Navy, capable of managing and firmly defending the sacred maritime and island sovereignty of the Fatherland.

Colonel NGUYEN TRAN NAM, Brigade Commander