Pioneering in fulfilling tasks in the new era.

(Baonghean) - Reporter:Comrade, exactly 70 years ago, the Vietnam People's Army was founded, and just one year later, the Nghe An Armed Forces were established. Since then, the soldiers from President Ho Chi Minh's homeland, along with the people of the entire province, have continued to achieve victories, protecting and promoting the tradition of nation-building and national defense. Could you please share some highlights from the glorious history of the Nghe An Armed Forces?

Colonel Ha Tan Tien:During the tumultuous months of the Autumn Revolution of 1945, with the armed forces as the core, tens of thousands of revolutionary masses and militia in Nghe An, armed with rudimentary weapons, rose up to crush the yoke of imperialist and feudal rule. In just one day, August 21, 1945, the uprising took place and ended in victory, with revolutionary power returning to the people. And August 21st has become the annual commemoration day of the provincial armed forces. From then on, building on the tradition of the "Red Self-Defense" fighters who contributed to the peak of the Nghe An-Tinh Gia Soviet of 1930-1931, the Nghe An armed forces have always overcome all hardships and sacrifices, further enhancing the beauty of revolutionary heroism of the Vietnam People's Army.

During the resistance war against French colonialism, the armed forces of Nghe An overcame all difficulties, building and firmly defending an important base area – the strategic rear of Military Region 4 and neighboring Laos. On all fronts, including the Dien Bien Phu front, the contributions of manpower and resources from the people and army of Nghe An were immense, ranking among the top in the country. During that crucial historical period, many sons and daughters of Nghe An made contributions whose names have gone down in history, notably General Chu Huy Man, Lieutenant General Tran Van Quang, and heroes such as Cu Chinh Lan, Tran Can, Nguyen Quoc Tri, Phan Tu, and Dang Dinh Ho…

Officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces help the people of Puc village, Nam Giai commune (Que Phong district) build a road. Photo: Trong Kien.

During the resistance war against the American imperialist invasion, Nghe An became both a frontline for the North and a direct rear support for the major frontline in the South. Generations of cadres and soldiers from Nghe An were sent to the battlefields. Nghe An is proud to be the birthplace of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, one of the provinces with the largest and earliest troop deployment to the battlefield, and also the province that suffered the greatest sacrifices and losses. In the rear, the army and people of Nghe An coordinated with units of the Ministry and Military Regions, shooting down 553 aircraft of all types (ranking second in the North), capturing many enemy pilots; sinking and burning 36 warships and commando boats of the US-puppet regime; and capturing 28 commando and reconnaissance teams. Local troops and militia alone shot down 112 aircraft and sank or burned 26 enemy warships and commando boats. In addition, they mobilized over 40 million man-days to build transportation routes to support the fighting.

In border defense wars, fulfilling noble international obligations, and in the cause of building and protecting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the armed forces of Nghe An province have always made significant contributions. Currently, the provincial armed forces continue to effectively build a national defense system linked to a solid people's security posture; ensuring recruitment, training, and defense zone exercises; and building the image of soldiers in peacetime ready to brave hardships, natural disasters, and floods to help and rescue the people, firmly protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the homeland and the cause of national renewal. In the "Armed Forces of Nghe An Province joining forces to build new rural areas" movement, the armed forces of Nghe An have implemented many good, practical, and effective methods… Throughout its 69-year journey of building, fighting, and maturing, the armed forces of Nghe An have been honored by the Party and the State with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces…

Reporter:Could you elaborate on the reasons why the armed forces in President Ho's homeland have achieved such great successes in recent times?

Officers and soldiers of the Provincial Military Command donate blood for humanitarian purposes. Photo: Trong Kien

Colonel Ha Tan Tien:The achievements and growth of the Nghe An Armed Forces over the past half-century are primarily due to the direct leadership and guidance of the Party Committee - Military Command of the Military Region and the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee; the close coordination of the Fatherland Front and various departments, agencies, and mass organizations; the love and support of the people of all ethnic groups; the dedicated assistance, coordination, and close cooperation of friendly localities and units; and the strength of solidarity and friendship bestowed upon them by international friends. Furthermore, the provincial armed forces have always been strengthened by the revolutionary traditions of their homeland throughout its long history, enthusiastically achieving victories in all tasks entrusted by the Party and the people; always maintaining close ties with the people, truly serving as the core force for the entire nation in fighting the enemy and building a people's war strategy in the locality; together with the whole country, for the whole country, successfully carrying out all glorious revolutionary tasks; and maintaining pure and loyal international solidarity, especially with the fraternal Lao people and army.

Reporter:Looking ahead, in light of the tasks of integration and development of our homeland, and amidst the general changes in the world and the region, what are the goals and directions of action for the armed forces of our province, Comrade?

Colonel Ha Tan Tien:Our Party and our Army have identified the top priority today as ensuring peace and stability, maintaining independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and protecting the socialist regime to develop the country. As the armed forces in the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh, we are aware that we must strive to be at the forefront, contributing to the fulfillment of these great tasks right here in this strategic area.

In the coming period, the top priority for the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command is to closely monitor the local area and effectively advise the local Party committees and authorities on completing local defense and military tasks. This includes accelerating the implementation of projects such as: "Building a solid defense zone in the new situation to proactively respond to all situations, 2014-2020"; "Strengthening the militia and self-defense forces in Nghe An province to meet the requirements of defense and security tasks, 2013-2017"; and "Improving the effectiveness of cooperation and assistance to the armed forces of Xieng Khouang province and neighboring Lao localities bordering the border, linked to consolidating and strengthening the defense and security posture along the western border"...

Continuing to thoroughly understand the guidelines and viewpoints of the Party, State, Army, and Military Region on local defense and military tasks, building strong and comprehensive military agencies at all levels; closely coordinating with agencies, departments, organizations, and the people to build and maintain a solid national defense posture, participating in building a safe area, and effectively contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality. In particular, the Provincial Military Party Committee focuses on improving the comprehensive leadership capacity and combat strength of Party committees and branches, building strong, specialized, exemplary, and regular military agencies at all levels: linking the implementation of Resolution 4 of the Central Committee (11th Congress) with promoting the "Study and follow the moral example of Ho Chi Minh" and the "Promoting traditions, contributing talents, worthy of the name of Uncle Ho's soldiers" campaign; paying attention to building and replicating advanced and valuable models; Focus on successfully completing the task of building grassroots organizations at the commune, ward, and town levels, and ensuring the stability and security of the community, firmly achieving the goal of "peace for the people, stability and development," especially in complex and sensitive areas...

Regularly maintain strict combat readiness duty, closely monitor the situation in all directions, especially the western border, the coastal areas, Mat Island, and Ngu Island. Improve the quality of training and combat readiness of the forces; successfully carry out the 2015 recruitment task, ensuring sufficient numbers, standards, and quality; successfully complete command and staff exercises and defense zone exercises in all areas… contributing to improving the quality of training and combat readiness of the provincial armed forces, ready to respond to any situation that may arise.

In addition, the Provincial Military Command continues to effectively carry out the work of showing gratitude to policy beneficiary families and meritorious individuals in the area; and effectively implements Government Decrees 142 and 62. In particular, it promotes the "Nghe An Armed Forces joining hands to build new rural areas" movement, contributing positively to improving cultural life, eradicating hunger and poverty, and building a strong locality…

PV:Thank you, comrade!

Duc Duong(Perform)