Loyal to the Party, devoted to the people (*)

(Baonghean) - Under the leadership of the Party, for the past 70 years, our army, together with the entire people, has achieved glorious victories, completed the national democratic revolution, unified the country, and led the entire nation towards socialism with unwavering loyalty to the Party and devotion to the people, so that today we continue to excellently fulfill the task of building and defending the Fatherland. The invincible strength of an army "born from the people, serving the people" truly deserves the honorable and proud name: the Vietnam People's Army.

Recalling the glorious golden pages of our Army's history over the past 70 years, it is impossible not to mention the initial victories at Phai Khat and Na Ngan, and the subsequent great long march with the nation in the Viet Bac campaign, the Border campaign (1950), and the strategic offensive of the 1953-1954 Winter-Spring campaign, culminating in the decisive strategic battle of Dien Bien Phu, "renowned throughout the world, shaking the earth," shattering the yoke of old colonialism, opening a new revolutionary phase, leading the North towards socialism, and creating a solid rear base for carrying out the national democratic revolution in the South; From victories such as Ap Bac, Binh Gia, Dong Xoai, Ba Gia, Nui Thanh, Van Tuong, and Playme, to campaigns like the Tet Offensive of 1968, Route 9 – Southern Laos, and the "Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the Air" campaign, and the General Offensive and Uprising of Spring 1975, reaching a new peak with the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, our country achieved independence, unity, peace, and complete development as it is today.

Military doctors from the provincial armed forces provide free medical examinations and medication to residents of Nam Giai commune (Que Phong district). Photo: T. Kien

These glorious victories, which thrilled the nation, were achieved by an army born and developed on the basis of the Party's revolutionary armed forces. Beginning on December 22, 1944, the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army – the first main force and precursor organization of the Vietnam People's Army – was established in the forest between the two communes of Hoang Hoa Tham and Tran Hung Dao in Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province (now Na Sang hamlet, Tam Kim commune, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province). This rapid growth demonstrates that the Vietnam People's Army is a new type of army organized, led, educated, and trained by the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, possessing the class nature of the working class, profound national and popular characteristics, and fighting for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for socialism, and for the happiness of the people.

During the current period of building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam, the Vietnam People's Army is a core force, together with the entire people, in maintaining the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; protecting the Party, the State, the people, the achievements of the revolution and the socialist regime; maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development; always upholding revolutionary vigilance, crushing all conspiracies and actions that infringe upon the sovereignty of the Fatherland's borders, seas, and islands; creatively and effectively implementing socio-economic development programs, building economic-defense zones, and strategically important national projects. The Army also actively participates in movements of gratitude and repayment, poverty reduction, and new rural development; building safe areas, building the political system and cultural life at the grassroots level, especially in key areas, remote areas, areas inhabited by ethnic minorities, and border and island regions. They have made a very important contribution to consolidating and strengthening national unity, enhancing the "people's support," and strengthening the potential and posture of national defense; they have always been the leading force in disaster prevention and control, search and rescue, addressing the consequences of war, and effectively implementing policies for the military's rear support.

Soldiers help residents of Huoi Moi 1 village, Tri Le commune (Que Phong district) build a road. Photo: Trieu Duong

Throughout 70 years of fighting, building, and maturing, facing countless harsh challenges, especially at turning points of the revolution, the Vietnam People's Army has always demonstrated the character of a revolutionary army, originating from the people and fighting for the people; a special political force, a fighting force absolutely trusted by the Party, the State, and the people. The Vietnam People's Army is not only a fighting force, a working force, and a productive labor force, but also a cultural force, a model of a revolutionary army. Under any conditions or circumstances, the Vietnam People's Army has always remained steadfastly loyal and absolutely trusting in the leadership of the Party, proactively creative, resourceful, courageous, determined to fight and win, closely connected to the people, loving comrades, and maintaining strict discipline. Generations of officers and soldiers have continued to build upon the glorious tradition, worthy of President Ho Chi Minh's praise: "Our army is loyal to the Party, devoted to the people, ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for socialism. They complete every task, overcome every difficulty, and defeat every enemy"; worthy of the noble title "Uncle Ho's Army" bestowed by the people, and worthy of being the heroic army of the heroic Vietnamese nation.

Inheriting the lessons of our forefathers, which emphasize national unity and using the people's will as a solid bulwark to protect the Fatherland, under the leadership of the Party, since 1989, the founding day of the Vietnam People's Army on December 22nd has been designated as the National Defense Day to celebrate the strength of national unity, demonstrating the army and people's shared will in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, and honoring and enhancing the noble image of Uncle Ho's soldiers – a unique value of Vietnamese culture in the new era. The sense of responsibility for protecting the Fatherland throughout society and the combined strength of the national defense system have been enhanced. The nationwide movement to build and defend the Fatherland has developed strongly. The "people's hearts and minds" – a fundamental element of the national defense system – has been firmly consolidated. The relationship between the army and the people has been strengthened on the basis of political and spiritual consensus, and unity in goals and tasks for building and defending the Fatherland. This is a great achievement in the cause of building a comprehensive, independent, self-reliant, self-strengthening, and increasingly modern national defense; building a national defense of the people, by the people, and for the people.

The Party, the State, and the people of Vietnam place their full trust and affection in the Vietnam People's Army and the strength of the all-people national defense. Regardless of the conditions or circumstances, the Party, the State, and the political system always strive to strengthen national defense and build a strong people's armed forces, contributing to the successful realization of the cause of building and firmly defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam.

The Party, the State, and our people are also proud of the glorious tradition of the heroic Vietnam People's Army, a revolutionary army that has achieved many resounding victories, shining brightly with accomplishments, steadfastly upholding its oath of loyalty to the Party and devotion to the people, completing every task, overcoming every difficulty, and defeating every enemy.

BNA

(*) This article uses material from the President's speech at the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 25th anniversary of the National Defense Day. The title was added by Nghe An Newspaper.