As the core and principal force in the execution of civil defence tasks, the Army continues to assert its pioneering role in activities related to post-war recovery, prevention and response to incidents, disasters, natural calamities, and epidemics, as well as environmental protection and search and rescue operations. These efforts significantly contribute to ensuring national safety as Vietnam enters a new era - an era of resurgence and advancement for the Vietnamese nation.

Vietnam is among the countries most affected by climate change, frequently confronting increasingly complex natural disasters and catastrophes in terms of both scale and severity. In parallel, the rapid pace of urbanisation and the expansion of resource exploitation during socio-economic development have posed numerous potential risks - such as fires, explosions, structural collapses, and environmental pollution. These incidents directly affect the environment, people’s livelihoods, production activities, and the nation’s sustainable development.

Troops of Ha Tinh Provincial Armed Forces help locals in disaster relief

To minimise damage, in recent years, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence have continuously provided strong leadership and direction to military agencies and units across the country in effectively responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and conducting search and rescue operations. Notably, since the Civil Defence Law came into effect, party committees and commanders at all levels have thoroughly internalised its principles, proactively offered strategic advice, directed operations, and developed comprehensive and effective implementation plans. The entire Army has consistently regarded civil defence as a “combat mission in peacetime”. Accordingly, political and ideological education has been prioritised to encourage and motivate cadres and soldiers in their duties. Coordination with ministries, sectors, and localities has been intensified to review, adjust, and supplement plans and strategies for the prevention and response to various types of incidents and disasters. Forces and equipment have been swiftly deployed to critical, remote, and hazardous areas, taking the lead in promptly and effectively managing situations on both land and sea. The Army remains fully prepared to engage in international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, regardless of the circumstances. Since 2014, the Army has mobilised over 1.9 million turns of personnel and 110,000 turns of vehicle to respond to and recover from 104 storms, 41 tropical depressions, and more than 26,000 emergencies, natural disasters, and epidemics. These efforts have resulted in the rescue of 29,747 people and 2,661 vehicles. The Army has also helped guide over 24.5 million turns of people and 5.2 million turns of vehicle, and supported the evacuation of 667,909 households with 2,664,232 individuals, to safe locations during storms and tropical depressions. In particular, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the military deployed more than 192,000 turns of cadre and soldier and mobilised over 330,000 instances of militia and self-defence personnel to implement coordinated pandemic control measures. These included the construction of 18 field hospitals and isolation facilities, assigning nearly 120,000 personnel to manage quarantine sites for incoming citizens, and over 46,000 personnel to carry out various other tasks. Importantly, beyond its domestic duties, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence have advised the Party and the State to deploy forces for international humanitarian and disaster relief operations. These include supporting Laos in overcoming the consequences of the Attapeu dam collapse in 2018, and aiding in earthquake disaster recovery efforts in Turkey (2023) and Myanmar (2025).

In reality, each time an incident or natural disaster occurs, the Army has consistently demonstrated unwavering determination and the noble spirit of “serving the people” and “sacrificing for the people”. It has firmly established itself as the core and leading force on the civil defence front, playing a crucial role in minimising damage to state property, and protecting the lives and assets of the people. This dedication has been widely acknowledged and highly valued by the Party, the State, local authorities, and the public.

In the coming period, Vietnam will continue to face numerous risks and challenges due to global climate change, which is intensifying the frequency and severity of various natural disasters and dangerous epidemics. Alongside this, the drive towards industrialisation and modernisation also brings latent risks of accidents and catastrophes, which may negatively impact socio-economic development, military and defence activities, and the daily lives of the population. To improve the effectiveness of civil defence operations, military agencies and units should thoroughly understand and implement the following tasks:

Firstly, further raise awareness and a sense of responsibility among all levels of Party committees, commanders, cadres, soldiers, and militia forces regarding the implementation of civil defence duties. Commanders and Party committees at all levels must continue to study, disseminate, and effectively carry out the directives and resolutions issued by the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defence on civil defence, disaster response, and search and rescue. Key among these are Resolution No.3589-NQ/QUTW dated 20 March 2025 by the Central Military Commission on strengthening civil defence capabilities to 2030 and beyond; Plan No.1895/QĐ-BQP dated 6 May 2025 by the Ministry of National Defence implementing the Resolution; and the Project on the Development and enhancement of response capabilities to incidents, disasters, and search and rescue to 2030, with an Orientation to 2045, under the Ministry’s management. Based on these guiding documents, units must concretise them into their leadership resolutions, determine appropriate and practical strategies and measures aligned with their specific duties and the local situation concerning incidents, disasters, and epidemics. To ensure effectiveness, it is essential to promote the responsibility of Party committees, officers, and especially key leaders; clearly assign and decentralise responsibilities for each force and department. Agencies and units must enhance political and ideological education, build resolve, and instil a strong sense of duty in personnel towards the mission of prevention, response, recovery, and search and rescue in the face of incidents and disasters. Moreover, inspections and supervision must be intensified to foster a proactive, positive, and highly committed political spirit in carrying out these tasks. It is also necessary to resolutely combat complacency, negligence, underestimation of risks, avoidance of hardship, and indifference to the losses and suffering of the people. Finally, efforts must be made to enhance emulation movements, rewards, and the implementation of welfare and policy measures, while promptly recognising, encouraging, and promoting exemplary groups and individuals who display bravery and dedication in disaster prevention and search and rescue operations.

Vinh Phuc Provincial Armed Forces practise responding to natural calamity

Secondly, strengthen the leadership capacity of Party committees and organisations, as well as the management and operational effectiveness of commanders at all levels, to meet the evolving demands of civil defence tasks in the current context. Accordingly, agencies and units must regularly innovate and improve the leadership of Party organisations and committees, while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of command and management in civil defence operations. It is vital to build and refine the command and operational mechanism for civil defence at all levels, based on the principle: “Ministry’s direction, Military Region’s coordination, provincial level as the centre, and commune level as the core.” To enhance operational effectiveness, agencies and units should proactively review existing legal documents, identify shortcomings, and advise on the development, supplementation, and completion of legal frameworks that respond to the realities of civil defence tasks. They must also propose adjustments and improvements to address operational challenges, while recommending new mechanisms and policies to mobilise and utilise resources effectively. Furthermore, it is necessary to refine the coordination regulations between the Ministry of National Defence and relevant central ministries, departments, and local authorities in implementing civil defence tasks - ensuring efficient use of local resources in line with the “four-on-the-spot” principle. Simultaneously, close coordination with local Party committees and authorities is required to review economic-social development plans and ensure the integration of economic growth with strengthened defence and security. This includes aligning the development of defensive zones with civil defence capabilities to enhance resilience to disasters and incidents, ensuring the safety of citizens. Priority must be given to continuously identifying high-risk areas vulnerable to disasters or incidents, allowing for timely development and revision of response and recovery plans that are realistic, feasible, and capable of preventing passivity and surprise.

Thirdly, pay attention to building capable and well-structured organisations and forces at all levels to meet the requirements of civil defence in the new era. Based on recent efforts to streamline the political system, especially the merging of provinces and the dissolution of district-level governments, local military agencies must provide effective advisory support to local Party committees and authorities in consolidating provincial-level Command Committees for Civil Defence, Disaster Prevention, and Search and Rescue, ensuring compliance with regulations and operational efficiency. Agencies and units must accelerate the restructuring of their organisation and staffing, assign additional functions and responsibilities to civil defence units, and invest in upgrading infrastructure, logistics, technical systems, warehouse networks, and automated fire prevention and control systems. Procurement of specialised, dual-use, and multi-functional equipment and vehicles must be prioritised to strengthen capacity and meet the operational demands of civil defence tasks. In particular, priority should be given to establishing and equipping both full-time and part-time civil defence forces, especially those involved in the Ministry of National Defence’s humanitarian and disaster relief missions. These include: The Search and Rescue Team under the Engineering Corps; the Environmental Incident Response Team under the Chemical Corps; the Disaster Relief Medical Team under the Military Medical Department/General Department of Logistics and Techniques; the Search and Rescue Dog Unit under the Border Guards; and the Naval Search and Rescue Fleet under the Navy. These forces must be equipped in terms of both quantity and quality, in accordance with the specific nature of each task, unit, and type of incident or disaster, ensuring the safety of personnel during mission execution. At the same time, the vital role of the militia and self-defence forces must be promoted. These local forces must be ready to deploy promptly to critical, high-risk areas in the event of incidents, disasters, or epidemics, actively coordinating with other forces to respond effectively to emerging situations.

Fourthly, continuously improve the content and curricula of education and training; intensify civil defence drills and exercises; promote research and the application of science and technology in civil defence operations. This is a critical factor determining the effectiveness of this essential mission. Accordingly, military academies and training institutions must actively innovate and enhance the quality of education and training to meet the demands of civil defence in the current context. Curricula must be regularly updated with new knowledge on the environment, natural disasters, and the use of modern equipment in responding to complex and hazardous situations. Military agencies and units should implement comprehensive and realistic training plans tailored to their specific roles, geographical conditions, and the socio-economic context of their localities. Practical drills should be conducted to refine response plans and scenarios for emerging situations. Large-scale exercises involving diverse forces should be prioritised to raise public awareness and disseminate essential skills in responding to incidents, natural disasters, and catastrophes. The Department of Search and Rescue should continue to advise on and coordinate a unified system of civil defence plans and exercise documents, covering incident response, disaster management, and search and rescue, in order to improve the overall quality of these activities. At the same time, the entire Army must intensify efforts to research and apply science and technology in civil defence operations - particularly by investing in technologies to enhance the capacity for monitoring, early warning, and forecasting of disasters, thereby enabling a more proactive approach to prevention and response. Research and production of products serving civil defence tasks should be promoted. It is also crucial to systematically summarise practical experience, supplement and develop theoretical foundations for civil defence, and conduct evaluations and draw lessons from operations - especially following incidents, disasters, epidemics, and recovery processes.

Finally, strengthen international cooperation in civil defence. To implement this effectively, relevant agencies and units - particularly the Department of Search and Rescue - must continue working closely with ministries, sectors, and authorities to carry out international civil defence cooperation in accordance with the foreign policy guidelines of the State and the Ministry of National Defence. Bilateral cooperation in civil defence should be deepened with countries such as Russia, Japan, the United States, and China. At the same time, both bilateral and multilateral cooperation should be promoted within the ASEAN, with a strong focus on improving the effectiveness of training, education, joint drills, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and international disaster relief operations. Greater attention must be paid to experience-sharing, information exchange, and the development of forecasting and warning systems to assess risks associated with various types of natural disasters. These efforts will help improve the professional competence of civil defence forces and ensure they are capable of meeting the country’s requirements in this critical field in the new era.

Building on these achievements, the entire military is to continue to uphold its sense of responsibility, unity, and determination to overcome all challenges. Through active coordination with Party committees, local authorities, people, and other forces, the armed forces will fulfil civil defence tasks effectively, maintaining their role as the core force on the front line of national protection. In doing so, they will continue to honour and enrich the glorious tradition of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army.

Lieutenant General DOAN THAI DUC, Director of the Department of Search and Rescue