Eighty years ago, on December 22, 1944, in accordance with the Party Central Committee’s policy and leader Ho Chi Minh’s Directive, the Vietnam Propaganda Unit for National Liberation—the first main-force military unit and the predecessor of the Vietnam People’s Army—was established.

Eighty years ago, on December 22, 1944, in accordance with the Party Central Committee’s policy and leader Ho Chi Minh’s Directive, the Vietnam Propaganda Unit for National Liberation—the first main-force military unit and the predecessor of the Vietnam People’s Army—was established. For the first time in Vietnam’s history, there was a new type of army organized, led, educated, and trained by the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh: a revolutionary army drawn from the people and fighting for the people, with a working-class character and a deeply rooted popular and national identity, fighting for the ideals of independence and socialism.

Over 80 years of development, combat, and growth, our Army has truly become the heroic army of a heroic nation; a political force and a fighting force absolutely loyal to and trusted by the Party, the State, and the people. It has fulfilled its functions as a fighting force, a force serving the people, and a force engaged in labor and production, living up to President Ho Chi Minh’s praise: “Our Army is loyal to the Party, devoted to the people, and ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and for socialism. It completes every mission, overcomes every difficulty, and defeats every enemy.”

Entering the period of building and defending the Fatherland, our Army has consistently fulfilled every mission assigned by the Party and the State. It has continually worked to become a politically strong, well-organized, elite, and progressively modern force; strengthened its discipline and combat readiness to avoid being caught unprepared or taken by surprise in any situation while building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland; and safeguarded peace, stability, and development in the region and the world, living up to the name “the heroic Vietnam People’s Army.”

Recognizing the established role and importance of comprehensive people’s warfare involving the entire population throughout the resistance wars under the Party’s leadership, and in response to the aspirations of people across the country, on October 17, 1989, the Secretariat of the sixth Party Central Committee issued Directive No. 381 – CT/TW, designating the anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22) as All-People’s National Defense Day as well. Since then, December 22 has truly become a traditional celebration of the defense of the Fatherland, a day to honor and further promote the noble image of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers”—a distinctive feature of Vietnam’s national culture in the new era. It is also an occasion to uphold patriotic traditions and highlight the strength of great national unity and the determination of the entire Party, people, and Army to build and firmly defend the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland in the new period. Building an all-people’s national defense is a core factor and a foundation for strengthening our country’s defense capabilities and protecting the Fatherland.

Taking pride in the Vietnam People’s Army’s great military achievements and glorious traditions over 80 years of development, combat, and growth, we can affirm that the Vietnam People’s Army is the heroic army of a heroic nation, worthy of President Ho Chi Minh’s praise: “Our Army is loyal to the Party, devoted to the people, and ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and for socialism. It completes every mission, overcomes every difficulty, and defeats every enemy.”

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 35th anniversary of All-People’s National Defense Day, National Economics University (NEU) carries forward the heroic and glorious traditions of the Army and the people and continues to implement the Party’s and the State’s guidelines and policies on military affairs, national defense, and security. In doing so, the University contributes to advancing the country’s industrialization and modernization toward the goal of “a prosperous people, a strong country, democracy, equity, and civilization.”

Source: History of the Vietnam People’s Army

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.