The Vietnam People’s Army
has achieved golden milestones in the history of the fight for national liberation and peace protection
On December 22, 1944, implementing the directive of leader Ho Chi Minh, in the forest between the two communes of Hoang Hoa Tham and Tran Hung Dao in Nguyen Binh District, Cao Bang Province, Vo Nguyen Giap announced the establishment of the Vietnam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army — the forerunner of the Vietnam People’s Army. Starting with just 34 soldiers with rudimentary weapons, after 80 years of building, fighting and growing, the Vietnam People's Army has achieved glorious feats, defeating the French colonialists and the US imperialists, liberating the nation from slavery status, and reunifying the country.
At the ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1964), President Ho Chi Minh praised the army: “When we were first born, with sticks and flintlock guns, we fought together as a united people against the French and the Japanese, leading the August Revolution to success. At the age of ten, we won the great victory of Dien Bien Phu with the whole people, defeating the war of aggression of the French imperialists who were supported by the US.” He affirmed: “Our army is the heroic army of a heroic nation.”
Armed only with clubs and flintlocks, just three days after their formation, with unparalleled courage and brilliant tactics, the 34 soldiers of the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army achieved their first remarkable victory, attacking the Phai Khac outpost (December 25) and Na Ngan outpost (December 26), killing French officers, capturing many enemy soldiers, and marking the beginning of our army’s tradition of "winning the first battle."
During the 30 years of fighting to expel the French and Americans, the tradition of winning first battles was demonstrated through many resounding battles such as: the Ap Bac Victory (1963) — the first defeat of US “air assault” and “Tank desant” tactics; The victory at Nui Thanh, Quang Nam (1965) — the first victory against Americans right when US troops directly entered combat in Vietnam, a brilliant symbol of our military and people’s determination to fight and win; the Vietnamese Navy and Air Defence Forces’ first victory against American destructive warfare in northern Vietnam (1964) — driving away the destroyer Maddox and shooting down eight American aircraft; and the Vietnamese Air Force’s first victory (1965) — shooting down two American aircraft.
Our army is a heroic army of a heroic nation.
Particularly significant were the victories that held crucial importance during each phase of the war through major campaigns: the Border Campaign of Autumn-Winter (1950) — a turning point in the resistance against the French colonialists; the Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954), a historic victory that resonated worldwide, shaking the globe and forcing French forces to completely withdraw from Vietnam; the Route 9 - Southern Laos Campaign (1971), which marked a significant advancement in the operational art of Vietnamese military; the 1972 Strategic Offensive, which fundamentally changed the battlefield situation in the South; the Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air Campaign (December 1972), which compelled the US to sign the Paris Agreement to end the war in Vietnam; the Central Highlands Campaign, which was a strategic breakthrough that initiated the great victory of the Spring Offensive in March 1975; and the Ho Chi Minh Campaign (April 1975) which led to the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country.
The entire nation fought against the enemy. All of Vietnam was engaged in this struggle, with no distinction between the front lines and the rear. Vietnam is one. The Vietnamese nation is one. The battlefield in Vietnam is one. The entire nation formed an inseparable block.
General Vo Nguyen Giap
The operational art of the Vietnamese army is characterised by people's warfare, achieving small victories over larger forces, and using fewer troops against numerous enemies. It leverages the combined strengths of three military branches: regular troops, local forces, and guerrilla fighters, as well as militia and self-defence forces. This is described as stated by General Vo Nguyen Giap: “The entire nation fought against the enemy. All of Vietnam was engaged in this struggle, with no distinction between the front lines and the rear. Vietnam is one. The Vietnamese nation is one. The battlefield in Vietnam is one. The entire nation formed an inseparable block.”
The Vietnam People's Army is an army born from the people and fighting for the people, creating golden milestones in the history of the struggle for national liberation; it is an invincible army of a peace-loving nation which refuses to submit to any foreign invaders.
President Ho Chi Minh is the beloved father who directly founded, guided, and led the Vietnamese people's armed forces to grow step by step. Vietnamese Party has worked hard to build the main army into powerful divisions, military branches, and corps, becoming "iron fists" that strike the enemy with thunderous blows, thus determining the situation on the battlefield. It must be affirmed that the decisive factor in the victory of Vietnam People's Army is the comprehensive, absolute, and direct leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam with correct and creative military guidelines and national defence strategies.
The Vietnam People's Army was born from the people and fights for the people.
In the current period, facing the complicated developments of wars and conflicts in the world, the Vietnamese Party and State advocate building a revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and modern Vietnam People's Army; and building elite, compact, strong, modern military forces, ready to meet the requirements and tasks of protecting the country in all situations.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 –2024), Nhan Dan Newspaper has launched a dedicated in-depth feature titled "Vietnam People’s Army" to revisit the glorious history of our army through five key sections. They include the history of formation and development, famous battles, exemplary Generals, advancing towards modernisation, and multimedia.
The in-depth feature on the Vietnam People’s Army
The in-depth feature on the Vietnam People’s Army
The section titled “The History of Formation and Development” will revisit significant historical milestones, encompassing the entire journey of the Vietnam People’s Army from its establishment on December 22, 1944, to the present day.
The “Famous battles” section introduces battles and campaigns of special significance, ranging from the emergence of new military branches and tactics to key battles that marked the beginning or turning points in various stages of the war.
The “Exemplary Generals” section highlights renowned generals who made significant contributions and achievements and left lasting marks associated with famous victories, campaigns, and Army battles during the 30 years of struggle for national liberation and reunification.
The “Advancing to Modernity” section includes articles about building a lean, strong, and modern military force, gradually progressing towards modernity; a fighting force, a working force, and a labour production force, playing a core role in building a people’s defence foundation. The military force mobilises the strength of national unity and enhances the country’s defence potential and power in the new era, ready to participate in international missions.
The “Multimedia” section includes films, images, radio documentaries, and news broadcasts about the Vietnam People’s Army, providing vivid audio-visual information with high interactivity, inspiring patriotism and national pride, especially among young readers.
The Vietnamese revolution has made miraculous achievements in the history of the struggle for national liberation by a nation once enslaved by colonialism and imperialism, becoming a symbol of human conscience and dignity for progressive and peace-loving peoples worldwide.
In the course of this revolution, the Vietnam People’s Army has achieved glorious feats, affirming the truth that victory always belongs to righteousness, to the peoples who love peace and are ready to sacrifice everything for the sacred, inviolable freedom and independence of the Fatherland.
Published: December 2024
Content: Huu Viet
Translation: NDO
Design: Ngoc Diep
Photos: Vietnam People’s Army Newspaper, VNA
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