Protecting cultural and ideological security is a vital and regular task to safeguard the Party’s ideological front within the Military. Currently, facing the multi-dimensional impacts from global and regional developments, along with fierce sabotage efforts by hostile forces, the entire military must pay greater attention to this important area of work, contributing to building a politically strong Military that remains a loyal and trustworthy political and combat force of the Party, the government, and the People.

Fully aware of the position and critical role of the work of protecting cultural and ideological security, over the past 75 years, alongside the establishment and development of the Military Security Protection Sector, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, the General Political Department, and party committees and commanders at all levels have consistently paid attention to leading and directing this task through comprehensive, practical policies and solutions, in line with the characteristics, requirements, and missions of each period.

The coordination work among agencies and units both inside and outside the Military, especially with central ministries, departments, sectors, local party committees, and authorities, has become increasingly close and effective; forming an interconnected and solid posture on the cultural and ideological front. Specialised security protection agencies across the Military have effectively promoted their core role, proactively grasped the situation, promptly proposed regulations, rules, and professional procedures; carried out systematically and in-depth activities, combining early prevention with early detection and handling at the grassroots level. At the same time, they have flexibly innovated the content, form, and method, synchronously applied measures of party work, political work associated with security professional measures to identify, combat, and promptly prevent risks of infiltration, impact, and transformation of ideology and culture.

The Department of Military Security Protection successfully held its 22nd Party Congress for 2025 - 2030 term

Theoretical research and practical review have been regularly and carefully implemented, contributing to enhancing the capacity of forecasting, strategic advice, and perfecting the system of viewpoints, principles, and in-depth professional methods in the fight to protect cultural and ideological security. Thereby, the schemes and tactics of “peaceful evolution” and “depoliticisation” the Military by hostile forces have been gradually defeated; the Party’s ideological front in the military has been maintained; the military has been ensured as an absolute loyal, reliable political and combat force; a solid pillar supports the Party, the government, and the People in the cause of national construction and defence.

Although many important results have been achieved, in general, the work of protecting cultural and ideological security in the military still faces several limitations: the awareness of some party committees, party organisations, and commanders remains inadequate. Skills, experience; the ability to grasp and forecast ideological trends; as well as the advisory and proposing work at times, in places, in agencies and units have not yet fully met practical requirements. As a result, there are still soldiers who violate regulations in the field of culture and ideology, affecting the military’s noble traditions and the honourable image of "Uncle Ho’s soldiers."

Currently, the rapid and complex developments in the global and regional situation are exerting multidimensional impacts on the protection of cultural and ideological security. Taking advantage of the strong development of digital technology, social media, and the negative effects of globalisation, hostile, reactionary, and politically opportunistic forces are intensifying their activities to distort and sabotage the Party, the government, and the Military, while promoting “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” within the military. In addition, the ongoing process of organisational restructuring and streamlining of the apparatus requires innovation in the content and methods of protecting cultural and ideological security to ensure both effectiveness and suitability with the new organisational model. All these factors are posing new challenges to the work of protecting cultural and ideological security in the military, demanding a more comprehensive, proactive, flexible, and effective approach. Accordingly, to further enhance this critical area of work, the entire military must focus on effectively implementing several key contents and methods as follows:

Firstly, strengthen leadership and direction over the protection work of cultural and ideological security. The protection work of cultural and ideological security has a direct and profound impact on the political stance, ethical qualities, belief, and fighting ideals of cadres and soldiers - key factors determining the overall quality and combat strength of the military. Therefore, party committees, party organisations, commissars, political officers, and commanders at all levels must thoroughly understand the importance of this task; identify it as a vital and regular mission, closely associated with building a clean, strong party organisation and comprehensively strong, “exemplary and typical” units. Thoroughly grasp and strict implement directives and resolutions of the Party and the Central Military Party Committee on security work in general, and on cultural and ideological security in particular; the focus should be on Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW, dated 22 October 2018, of the Political Bureau (12th tenure) on “Strengthening the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation, combating wrong and hostile viewpoints in the new situation”; Directive No. 118-CT/QUTW, dated 20 February 2017, of the Central Military Commission on “Strengthening the protection of internal political security in the military in the current context”; Regulation No. 1818-QĐ/QUTW, dated 9 March 2023, regarding the implementation of Regulation No. 58-QĐ/TW, dated 8 February 2022, of the Political Bureau on “Several issues concerning the protection of internal political security of the Party” within the Vietnam People’s Army, etc. Thereby, concretise in the leadership resolution, plan and action plan with specific targets and measures. The content of leadership and direction must closely follow higher-level plans and guidelines, focusing on resolving key issues, and thoroughly addressing existing shortcomings. The implementation plan needs to be specific, ensuring science, close to the practical situation of agencies and units. It is also necessary to improve the quality of preliminary and final reviews, promptly reward collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements; strictly handle violations, draw lessons and propose effective solutions in the work of protecting cultural and ideological security.

In addition, specialised security protection agencies at all levels must effectively perform the work of advising, training, and fostering knowledge and skills on the protection of cultural and ideological security for cadres and soldiers, especially at the grassroots level. Focus on equipping personnel with the knowledge and skills to identify and counter hostile and false viewpoints related to politics, ideology, and culture; methods for engaging in cyberspace, guideline for using techniques and tools to combat misinformation; as well as practical experiences and lessons learned in protecting cultural and ideological security, etc. At the same time, promoting the role of example, self-examination, and self-correction among cadres and Party members, particularly those in leadership positions at agencies and units; promoting democracy, building an open and united working environment, and promptly detecting and guiding ideological developments among troops. These efforts will help cadres and soldiers improve their knowledge and skills in safeguarding cultural and ideological security and develop the qualities and character of revolutionary soldiers in the new era.

Signing coordination aggreement with the 86 Command

Secondly, gradually perfecting the system of legal documents and internal regulations; enhancing the effectiveness of government management functions in protecting cultural and ideological security in the military. The system of legal documents and internal regulations serves as an indispensable legal foundation, providing the basis for effectively organising and implementing activities to safeguard cultural and ideological security in the Military. This serves as a tool to regulate behaviour, define the authority and responsibility of subjects, guide how to handle sensitive situations arising in reality, and at the same time act as a legal "shield" to ensure proactiveness and solidity in the work of preventing and combating risks of infiltration and transformation of ideology and culture. In the context of increasingly complex developments in both traditional and non-traditional security threats, the strong development of technology and new media platforms poses an urgent need to review, update and perfect current legal documents. Specialised security protection agencies in military units and agencies must promote their core role, proactively synthesise the situation, recommend party committees and commanders to conduct comprehensive reviews and evaluations of the effectiveness of law and internal regulations enforcement related to this field. On that basis, advise and propose amendments, supplements or new regulations to ensure consistency, synchronisation, feasibility, and long-term value, suitable to the characteristics of military and national defence activities, contributing to improving the capacity to prevent and combat risks that harm cultural and ideological security right from the grassroots level.

At the same time, continue to carry out the government management function regarding the protection of cultural and ideological security in the military in a practical, efficient, and effective manner. The focus should be placed on strengthening the role of security protection agencies at all levels in advising and appraising programmes, plans, projects, and ideological-cultural products right from the the stage of preparation for promulgation; regularly coordinate with relevant functional agencies in inspection, supervision, and monitoring activities in the fields of journalism, publishing, education, information, communications, literature and arts, cyberspace, etc., in order to promptly detect and recommend strict handling of violations, and shortcomings. In addition, it is necessary to advise party committees and commanders to regularly review, develop training and fostering plans to enhance the professional capacity and expertise of the personnel responsible for security protection, meeting the requirements of assessing, forecasting and handling situations quickly, accurately and in accordance with principles. Proactively grasp the situation, coordinate in detecting, reporting, and strictly handling manifestations of “self-evolution”, “self-transformation”, violations of speech discipline, improper use of social media, leaks or losses of military secrets, etc. Thereby, gradually overcome weaknesses that may be exploited by hostile forces, contributing to firmly safeguarding the ideological front and building a healthy, safe, disciplined, and unified military cultural environment right from the grassroots level.

Thirdly, enhance the capacity for research, assessment, and forecasting of the situation to promptly address cultural and ideological security issues. This is a key solution that directly determines the effectiveness of cultural and ideological security protection work in the military. To effectively implement this, security protection agencies at all levels must regularly and continuously grasp the situation across all aspects and fields related to culture and ideology. The focus should be placed both in physical locations and in cyberspace; from collective to individual; from public opinion to specific expressions of morality, ethics, lifestyle, political viewpoints, social relationships, ethnic, religious, cultural factors, and other related social elements. Accurately assessing the current state of cultural and ideological security work in each agency and unit; clearly identifying strengths, limitations, and their causes; based on that, advising party committees and commanders on comprehensive, focused, and practical measures to protect cultural and ideological security.

Situation grasping must be carried out regularly and comprehensively, closely combining public and secret methods, ensuring compliance with the law, functions, and tasks. Grasping the situation must go hand-in-hand with analysing, evaluating, and forecasting of potential risks and abnormal signs in culture and ideology, in order to promptly advise party committees and commanders on effective preventive and countermeasures; gradually addressing weaknesses and eliminating favourable conditions that hostile, reactionary, or opportunistic forces could exploit to undermine the military in the field of culture and ideology. To effectively carry out the work of advising and proposing appropriate management measures for military personnel, it is necessary to consider political aspects, holding or being able to know about government secrets and military secrets; having a high risk of being linked and recruited into activities that violate national security. In addition, agencies and units must effectively implement the building of exemplary cultural units and building unit safety in conjunction with local safety. Promptly detect and address emerging issues such as negative ideological trends, deviant lifestyles, and violations by cadres and soldiers in the realm of culture and ideology within their agencies and units. This will contribute to ensuring political stability and firmly consolidating the Party's ideological and cultural stronghold throughout the entire military.

Fourthly, strengthen the work of propaganda, education, enhance ideological "immunity" and build political stance among cadres and soldiers. Agencies and units must focus on improving the effectiveness of the work of propaganda, education, equipping cadres and soldiers with the ability to recognise and self-regulate in response to false and harmful information; fostering strong political stance and absolute confidence in the leadership of the Party, the revolutionary goals and ideals, and the path toward socialism. Propaganda and education work should be carried out in a profound and substantive manner, tailored to the knowledge level and awareness of each target. Content must be diverse, flexible, and appropriate to the practical conditions of the unit and the receptiveness of officers and soldiers. It should particularly focus on clarifying the plots and tactics of hostile forces, especially in cyberspace; while also enhancing understanding of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the Party’s guidelines and policies, and the glorious traditions of the nation and the Military. Focus on educating the spirit of revolutionary vigilance and the ability to "self-resist" against distortions and sabotage by hostile and reactionary forces; strictly manage military personnel who are at risk of being ideologically influenced or negatively affected. Educational methods should be flexible, combining direct propaganda with the application of technology, social media, and modern media products; promoting the role of the cultural institutions system, the team of reporters, propagandists, and social opinion collaborators in propaganda, education, orientation, and building a strong political stance for soldiers; at the same time, combating erroneous and hostile viewpoints, especially in cyberspace. Conduct propaganda and education activities, launch movements to protect cultural and ideological security at the grassroots level. Alongside this, it is important to praise and commend exemplary individuals and positive actions, and replicate outstanding models and examples to spread out positive influence, strengthen belief, and form a solid “ideological shield” for every cadre and soldier.

Fifthly, promote the combined strength of all organisations and forces across the entire military, actively and proactively participate in the protection of cultural and ideological security. In the context of hostile forces constantly increasing sabotage activities in the cultural and ideological fields with sophisticated, diverse and multi-platform methods, relying solely on specialised security protection units would limit the ability to detect and effectively combat threats from multiple directions. Therefore, promoting the role of organisations and forces is a key factor in ensuring the comprehensiveness, depth, and sustainability of cultural and ideological security work. Each organisation and force must clearly define its functions and tasks, actively and proactively coordinate, form an “integrated posture” in the cultural and ideological front across the entire Military. Accordingly, strengthen the coordination between security protection agencies and other agencies and units in grasping, assessing, forecasting the situation, and carry out ideological and public opinion orientation activities. Promote the role of early warning, quick response and fierce struggle of Steering Committee 35, the specialised force responsible for protecting the Party’s ideological foundation, and teams of public opinion collaborators; closely integrate education, persuasion with struggle and handling. Promote movement-based activities and self-governance, self-protection, and self-defence models at grassroots level; build a healthy, democratic, disciplined, and united cultural environment that serves as a “soft shield” against signs of degradation, “self-evolution”, and “self-transformation". At the same time, build a mechanism for assigning and coordinating, and construct effective combat plans between agencies and units inside and outside the military; strengthen coordination and exchange with functional agencies in the stationed area in carrying out cultural and ideological security protection activities at both unit and local levels. Thereby, creating a combined strength and a close, proactive, positive, and solid connection in protecting cultural and ideological security in the entire Military.

Protecting cultural and ideological security in the military is a strategic and urgent task, contributing significantly to building an army that is strong in politics, ideology, organisation, ethics and cadres. Therefore, party committees, party organisations, and commanders at all levels must fully and deeply recognise its importance; promote the combined strength of all forces to firmly safeguard the ideological front, ensuring that we will not be passive or surprised, contributing to firmly protecting the Fatherland early and from afar.

Major General BUI TRONG VINH, Director of the Department of Military Security Protection