Maintaining the people's support ensures national security and defense in the new era.

PV: Comrade Political Commissar! In 2025, the armed forces of Nghe An province will continue to be a shining example of national defense and security in the region. In achieving this success, the "people's support" has always been identified as the most solid foundation. Given the current demands, what key solutions has the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command implemented to further strengthen this support, turning it into an impregnable "fortress" in the new situation?

Colonel Nguyen Van An:Throughout all stages of the revolution, the people have always been the source of strength and the solid foundation for defending the Fatherland. Building a people's defense posture has always been a core content and a strategic element in building a national defense system linked to a people's security posture. Today, in the face of the multifaceted impacts of international integration, the negative aspects of the market economy, and the increasingly sophisticated subversive tactics of hostile forces, building a people's defense posture has become even more urgent.

Nghe An is a large province with a border and coastal area, and a vast ethnic minority region. Therefore, strengthening the people's trust in the Party, the State, and the armed forces is of particular importance. For us, "the people's support" is not an abstract concept; it is the people's love and trust in "Uncle Ho's soldiers." When the people's hearts are united, the national defense and security posture will be solid, creating a combined strength to protect the Fatherland from early on and from afar.

We have always maintained that fulfilling national defense and military duties is not just about orders and plans within the army, but also about heart, responsibility, and affection for the people. Therefore, over the years, officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces have consistently stayed close to their assigned areas and communities, participating in building the political system, helping people develop the economy, and preventing and combating natural disasters and epidemics. They have effectively implemented the "four together" principle, linked with movements such as "Armed Forces joining forces to build new rural areas," and supporting people in remote areas to alleviate poverty. When the people trust the Party and love the army, each citizen will become a "living landmark" protecting sovereignty, security, and order in the locality.

In 2025, a year marked by extremely complex natural disasters, the provincial armed forces, in coordination with units of the Military Region and the Ministry of National Defense, mobilized over 122,000 soldiers and militia members, along with nearly 1,000 vehicles and equipment, to support flood prevention, control, and recovery efforts. This contributed to helping people stabilize their lives as soon as possible, thereby enhancing the image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the new era.

In addition, military and border defense diplomacy has been effectively implemented, contributing to building a peaceful and friendly border. We continue to effectively implement projects to assist the armed forces of border provinces; provide material support and professional training in rescue and relief work, border management and protection; and establish fraternal ties between the armed forces of provinces sharing a common border.

The year 2025 marks a glorious milestone in the illustrious journey of the armed forces of Nghe An province as they proudly receive the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces for the second time; it is also the year of the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of the provincial armed forces (August 21, 1945 - August 21, 2025).

PV: The title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces is not only a prestigious award but also a heavy responsibility before the Party Committee and the People. What has the provincial armed forces done to "pass on" this tradition to the younger generation of soldiers?

Colonel Nguyen Van An:The title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces is not only a recognition of the outstanding achievements and accomplishments of generations of armed forces, but also a command from the heart, a great spiritual motivation for each officer and soldier to further uphold their responsibility to protect the Fatherland and the People in the new situation.

To "inspire" the younger generation – those born in peacetime, when the country is no longer at war – the Provincial Party Committee and Military Command have identified political education as a key task, a "guiding principle" in all actions. Through political activities and the "Determined to Win" emulation movement, the younger generation has gained a deeper understanding of history, fostered national pride, and thus developed unwavering and steadfast political resolve.

In particular, educational work has been proactively reformed, focusing on disseminating information through social media, online competitions, and club models, making educational content more accessible and easier for young people to understand and practice. As a result, exemplary role models have been widely recognized, creating a strong ripple effect.

We also regularly organize meetings and discussions between clubs, Heroes of the Armed Forces, veterans, and the younger generation. Stories of sacrifice and heroic battles, recounted by those directly involved, have a more powerful impact and touch the hearts more deeply than any lecture. "A soldier's hand is only steady when the heart is on fire"—that fire is love for the homeland, profound gratitude, and a sense of responsibility to continue the legacy of our ancestors.

In the coming period, the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command will focus on leading the thorough understanding and strict implementation of the Resolutions of the Party Congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term; Resolution No. 4 of the Central Committee, in conjunction with the implementation of Directive No. 05 of the Politburo and Directive No. 87-CT/QUTW of the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission on "Promoting the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style".

Regularly innovate the content, form, and methods of political and ideological education to suit the target audience and the situation of each unit and locality. At the same time, direct the effective implementation of the emulation movement "Unity, Discipline, Breakthrough, Creativity, and Decisive Victory" in conjunction with various campaigns, building high political determination from the first year of the term, creating strong breakthroughs in each agency and unit.

As a new spring arrives, on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command, I would like to extend my best wishes for a healthy, happy, and successful New Year to all officers, soldiers, militia, reserve forces, and the people.

PV: Thank you very much, Comrade Political Commissar!

Phu Huong (Executor)